Xbox Is Adding Digital Entitlements for Physical Games

Xbox just announced a major new feature in response to gamers’ outcry to preserve physical media. Starting next week, Xbox insiders can unlock a digital entitlement for supported physical games. This means if you own a physical copy of a game, you can unlock a digital copy, which allows you to play that game anywhere, while keeping a working disc version as well!

Support for Physical Media

On the second day of Gamescom, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced that, moving forward, Xbox will support those who continue to buy or already own physical copies of games by providing digital entitlements. This means you can pop a physical disk into your Xbox console and add a digital copy to your library.

So next week, you can still play your favorite games you’ve previously bought a disk for on any supported digital platform, while still keeping a working physical version for your family or friends to play.

Your physical game library is more than a collection of discs. It holds years of memories and stories worth preserving. Starting next week, XBOX Insiders can unlock a digital entitlement for supported physical games. We’ll start with thousands of titles and add more as we can. pic.twitter.com/XATsa8sjBt

— ASHA (@asha_shar) August 26, 2026

Overall, this is a massive step in the right direction, which ultimately supports physical releases, whilst keeping the quality-of-life aspects of owning a digital copy. Asha also says that Xbox will start with thousands of titles and add more whenever they can, promising there will be continuing support for future or other releases not already backed by this system.