If you’ve been using Discord on your PC, you already might be quite familiar with the amount of convenience it brings to communicating with your friends while gaming. From discovering new servers to gaming nights with your friends, here’s how you can get Discord on the Xbox One so that the fun never ends.
As of yet, there seem to be two popular options for getting Discord on the Xbox. The first one is Microsoft’s official implementation which does not have a ton of features. However, the third, albeit an unofficial one, seems to be packed with features and consequent updates seem to be improving its overall performance too.
Getting Discord on the Xbox One
One caveat to note before we jump right in though is the fact that Discord on the Xbox One is severely limited as compared to the client found on PC / mobile. Here are all of the features that you’ll be missing out on:
- Text Messaging
- Voice Chat
- Creating Channels / Server / Groups
This begs the question, what does Discord on the Xbox do if it doesn’t have these key features? The answer’s simple, it allows you to integrate your profile letting your friends see what you’re playing on your Xbox at all times.
Plus, you’ll also be able to inform your friends on what platform you are playing on due to your activity constantly being displayed. Here’s how you can get started:
Make A Discord Account
If you already have a Discord account, you can skip this step entirely and head onto the next one. However, if you don’t, you will first need to create an account to link with your Xbox One. The easiest way to do so is either by installing the app on iOS or Android or by heading onto the website.
Once you’ve reached there, all you need to do is verify your E-Mail account and you should be good to go. We also recommend setting up 2-factor authentication for added security.
Link Your Xbox Account
For this step, you’ll need to head towards your Xbox One. Once you do, here are the steps you need to follow:
- Head to the upper left-hand corner of the main menu
- Once there, select Settings
- Now, head towards Account
- Move towards the Linked Social Accounts option. Once there, you’ll be asked to enter your Xbox Live / Microsoft account password
- Select the Link option under Discord.
Use the App on your PC / Phone
For this step, you just need access to the Discord application. You can do so from your phone, mobile, or on the web too. Once you’ve headed there, here’s what you need to do:
- Select the gear icon present on the bottom left corner of your screen
- Once there, head to the Connections tab
- Click on the Xbox logo present at the top
- Once picking the Xbox logo, you’ll be prompted with entering the pin that’ll pop on your Xbox’s screen
- After doing so, your account will be successfully integrated. To take full advantage, turn the following settings on:
- Display on Profile
- Display Xbox as your status
Note: You can turn these settings off whenever you please.
Is Discord Worth It On The Xbox One?
As mentioned earlier, there’s not much you can do with Discord’s official implementation on the Xbox One other than show your friends your activity. This means that you won’t be able to chat, send messages or create groups.
In essence, this makes Microsoft’s offering feel lacklustre at best. Considering Discord for Xbox One officially debuted 4 years ago, it’s clear that not much has changed from the initial offering. While there are rumors that we might see a full-fledged app that is officially supported to come out soon, there has been no confirmation from Microsoft as of yet.
However, there is an alternative that exists for the Xbox that brings some functionality of the full-fledged Discord client to the Xbox. If you’ve been using Discord for a while though, you’d know that most of its functionality (and fun!) comes from the implementation of unique Discord bots that can add in tons of unique features to your server.
Unofficial Discord Clients
This solution is currently perhaps the best way to get Discord up and running on your Xbox One with features that actually are useful. In our test, we noticed some weird glitches when connecting to voice channels with multiple people. However, it was a passable experience and currently is the only way for you to use Discord voice chat on Xbox.
Here’s how you can get it up and running:
- Head to the Xbox / Microsoft Store and search for Quarrel
- Download and install the application on your Xbox
- Once you have it up and running, log in to your pre-existing Discord account or create a new one by using the method mentioned above.
- You’ll now be able to use the client on your Xbox
Note: We recommend using a tertiary account for Discord when using Quarrel. This is because the application acts as an intermediary layer between Discord and your console. So, there’s a chance that your username and password might not be as safe as you think. Therefore, you should probably use a newer account or one that you aren’t afraid of losing.
If you are stuck on a loading screen, you’ll need to re-install the app and try signing again. Once you are in, you’ll be able to navigate through the menu using your LB and RB buttons. The client allows you to access all of Discord’s native functions except streaming your screen. With that said, you will be able to access and invite Discord bots allowing you to listen to music from Spotify / Soundcloud while on a voice call with your friends.
That’s everything you needed to know about Discord on the Xbox One. Are you going to be using the official implementation or will you be switching to Quarrel?
