How to Use Discord on Xbox: Voice, Transfers and Streaming

Xbox players have had Discord in the console guide for a while now, which makes it the easiest console to run a community call from. You can talk to your server while you play, hand a call over from your phone, and even stream your game into a voice channel so the rest of the group can watch.

I'm going to follow Discord's own Xbox connection FAQ here, because the wording in the menus matters and a couple of privacy settings quietly block the whole thing. If you host game nights, coach players or run a creator server, this is the setup you'll want right first time.

What your Xbox and phone need for Discord voice

• An Xbox console on the latest update. Discord says you'll see an error telling you the console needs an update if you skip this.
• The Xbox mobile app and the Discord mobile app on your phone. Discord says transfers from mobile and desktop both rely on the Xbox app.
• One Xbox account linked to your Discord account. Each Discord account can only have one linked Xbox account at a time.

If you linked the two accounts years ago, before Discord voice reached Xbox, Discord says you have to unlink and relink to get voice working.

Connecting your Xbox account to Discord

From the Discord app

1. Open User Settings (the cog icon) and go to Connections.
2. Select Xbox and click Continue.
3. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
4. Click Authorize and Continue.

From the Xbox console

1. Go to Profile & System, then Settings.
2. Open Account, then Linked social accounts.
3. Find Discord under Not Linked and select Link.

After linking you can switch on Display on Profile and Display Xbox as your status, so your Gamertag and current game show on your Discord profile.

Joining a Discord server voice channel on Xbox

1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
2. Go to Parties & chats.
3. Select Discord.
4. Pick the server, then the voice channel you want.

Discord's help says you can't stay in an Xbox Party Chat while you're in Discord voice on the console, so leave the party first if you're in one.

Handing a Discord call over to your Xbox

From your phone

1. Join a voice channel in the Discord mobile app.
2. Swipe up to bring up the audio controls.
3. Select Join on Xbox.
4. Choose your console and transfer the audio.

Discord says your mute and deafen settings come with you to the console, so you won't suddenly be broadcasting if you were muted on your phone.

From your computer

1. Join a voice channel in the desktop app.
2. Click the phone and game controller icon, or right-click the channel name.
3. Select Transfer Voice to Xbox.
4. Scan the QR code with your phone and follow the prompts in the Discord mobile app.

Xbox privacy settings that block Discord chat

This is the bit that trips most people up. If your Xbox privacy setting for communication is set to In-game friends or Blocked, Discord says you can't talk to anyone outside Xbox. To fix it:

• Set cross-network play to Allow.
• Set communication outside Xbox (voice and text) to Everybody.

For a child account, the parent manages these through Xbox's parental controls. Discord also says Xbox child accounts can't stream.

Streaming an Xbox game into a Discord voice channel

For creators this is the useful part. You can show your gameplay to the people in your channel without a capture card:

1. Open the guide, go to Parties & chats and select Discord.
2. Choose the server and voice channel.
3. Select Stream your game, then Start stream.

Discord's help says only games can be streamed. If you switch to another app or close the game, the stream pauses, but you stay in the voice channel. Friends watching from the console can open the call's member list, pick the person streaming and choose Watch Stream. On a computer, my walkthrough on sharing your screen in a Discord call covers the desktop side.

Xbox and Discord at a glance

What you want	Where to find it
Join voice on the console	Guide, Parties & chats, Discord
Move a phone call to Xbox	Swipe up in the call, Join on Xbox
Move a desktop call to Xbox	Transfer Voice to Xbox, then scan the QR code
Show your game on your profile	Connections, Display Xbox as your status
Stream gameplay	Parties & chats, Discord, Stream your game
Remove the link	User Settings, Connections, X, Disconnect

If you run a community server, it's worth writing the console steps into a pinned message in your welcome channel. New members on Xbox usually hit the same two walls, the missing relink and the privacy setting, and a short pinned note saves you answering the same question every game night.

When Discord voice on Xbox won't connect

1. Update the console and both mobile apps.
2. Check the privacy settings above. In-game friends or Blocked will stop it.
3. Leave any Xbox Party Chat.
4. Relink if you connected the accounts before voice was available to you.
5. For sound problems after a transfer, Discord points to Xbox's own Using Discord with Xbox help. For account trouble, go to Xbox support.

Running a busy server on console? It helps to know how to mute someone in a Discord voice channel before game night, and how to add friends on Discord by username so your regulars are one tap away.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Discord app on Xbox?

Discord lives inside the Xbox guide. Once your accounts are linked, open the guide, go to Parties & chats and select Discord to pick a server and voice channel.

How do I link Discord to my Xbox?

In Discord, go to User Settings, then Connections, select Xbox, sign in with your Microsoft account and click Authorize and Continue. You can also link from the console under Linked social accounts.

Why can't my friends hear me on Discord on Xbox?

Check your Xbox privacy settings. Discord says In-game friends or Blocked stops you talking outside Xbox. Set cross-network play to Allow and outside communication to Everybody.

Can I stream my Xbox game on Discord?

Yes. From Parties & chats, select Discord, choose a voice channel and select Stream your game. Only games can be streamed, and child accounts can't stream.

Can I link two Xbox accounts to one Discord account?

No. Discord allows one linked Xbox account at a time, so remove the current connection before linking another.