Xbox Launches Disc-To-Digital Feature for All Users

After a testing phase with Insiders, Xbox is launching its disc-to-digital program for all users today, as announced on social media:

Your discs just got a digital upgrade today! ????

Now, every player can enjoy the perks of digital gaming with most Xbox Series X and Xbox One physical discs.

To give this a shot, I pulled out a physical copy of Injustice 2, a game we didn’t own digitally, and inserted the disc into the Xbox Series X. Upon accessing the game’s app menu from the home screen, I noticed a new option: Claim digital license.

Clicking on it led me to a straightforward screen. We claimed the license and that was it. No more need for the disc to play Injustice 2. Super simple! Interestingly, we could have also claimed the license just by playing the game.

We have a few more titles we want to add, but it can be a bit frustrating when everything starts installing as soon as you insert a disc. Xbox’s support page suggests navigating to Settings > Devices & connections > Disc and unchecking “Play disc automatically,” which is likely what we’ll do.

Keep in mind, not all games are eligible for this feature. Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles aren’t included right now (though I’m holding out hope for my extensive Xbox 360 collection), and some publishers haven’t jumped on board yet. Sega just joined the program today, and Ubisoft was added earlier this month. Square Enix remains one of the notable holdouts, but since both Sega and Ubisoft weren’t initially supported when the program started, there’s a chance Square Enix and others may join later. A fan-made list indicates that at least 1,400 games are currently compatible.

The disc-to-digital initiative has been widely discussed as a way to prepare users for a potential all-digital future. With Sony planning to cease physical disc production by 2028, many anticipate Xbox will follow suit with the next console generation. While digital copies have significantly outpaced physical sales in recent years, many long-time gamers still have substantial collections of physical discs from before the digital era took off.

Even if you digitize your library, it’s wise to keep those discs. Selling or misplacing a disc could mean losing your digital license, especially if someone else redeems it. It’s okay for them to sit on a shelf, but don’t toss them out.