To see your Xbox Playback, select the Playback option on your Xbox console’s dashboard, or go to xbox.com/XBOXPlayback in a web browser and sign in with your Xbox account. Xbox launched Playback on November 12, 2026, as part of its 25th anniversary, and it is available until December 31, 2026, in 15 countries.
Playback is a personal video of your Xbox history, from the first Xbox game on your profile to your longest streak, and Xbox announced it in an Xbox Wire post the morning it went live. Below: what it shows, the steps on console and on the web, who qualifies, how to share your Playback card, and what to check when yours will not show up.
What Xbox Playback Shows
Xbox says Playback brings together “highlights from your available XBOX history across every generation,” so it is not limited to one year the way a yearly recap is. Xbox pitches it at everyone from players who started on the original Duke controller to people who booted up their first console this year. Your video includes:
- Your first Xbox game
- Your total time played
- Your most-played game
- Your top years
- Your longest streak
- Achievements and moments along the way
Every Playback is built from that account’s own data, so no two are the same. A profile with twenty years of history gets a very different video from one that started in 2026.
How to Watch Xbox Playback on Your Console
- Turn on your Xbox and sign in to the profile you want the recap for.
- On the dashboard (your Home screen), look for the Playback option. That is the whole of Xbox’s instruction: “look for the option on your dashboard.”
- Select it to play your Playback video.
- When the video ends, scan the QR code on screen with your phone to get your personalized Playback card.
The console version has one extra rule: your profile needs at least 1 minute of qualifying gameplay on a console. If all of your play time is on PC, the console option may not appear for you, and the web version, which has no console requirement, is the one to use.
How to Watch Xbox Playback on the Web
- Go to xbox.com/XBOXPlayback in a web browser.
- Select Sign in and use the Microsoft account your Xbox profile is on, the same account your gamertag belongs to. If you are not sure which gamertag that is, our guide on how to change your Xbox gamertag shows where to find it on console and on the web.
- Watch your personalized Playback video.
- Select Share afterward to get your Playback card.
Each video is built from one account. If your household has more than one profile, sign out and sign back in with the other account to see its Playback.
Dig Deeper in the Playback Archive
The video is the highlight reel. The Playback Archive, at xbox.com/playback, lets you explore more of your available history on the web, including what Xbox calls “some of your first milestones” and “your biggest achievements.” Sign in with the same Microsoft account you used for the video.
Achievements are a big part of both. If you like chasing them, Xbox is also testing a new top tier for finishing a game, covered in our story on Mythic achievements for Xbox Insiders.
Who Can See Xbox Playback
Xbox lists three requirements for your profile:
- At least 1 Gamerscore
- At least 1 achievement
- At least 1 minute of qualifying gameplay linked to your Xbox profile
Watching on a console also needs at least 1 minute of qualifying gameplay on a console. Xbox does not list Game Pass or any other subscription among the requirements, and it has not spelled out what counts as qualifying gameplay.
Playback is available in these 15 countries:
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Americas | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, United States |
| Europe | France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom |
| Africa and Oceania | Australia, South Africa |
Xbox has not said whether more countries will follow.
How to Share Your Playback Card
Playback gives you a personalized card to share once the video ends:
- On console: scan the QR code at the end of the video with your phone.
- On the web: select Share.
Send the card to friends or post it on social media. Xbox’s hashtag for it is #XBOXPlayback.
Why Your Xbox Playback Is Missing or Incomplete
- The rollout: Xbox began rolling Playback out on November 12 and said it would reach accounts gradually through the day, so on launch day it may simply not have reached you yet.
- No achievements yet: a profile with 0 Gamerscore and no achievements does not meet the requirements. Unlocking one achievement that awards Gamerscore takes care of both.
- No console play: the console option needs at least 1 minute of qualifying gameplay on a console. Use the web version instead.
- Your country: Playback is limited to the 15 countries above.
- Gaps in your history: Xbox says Playback “is based on available account data, so some parts of your history may be incomplete or take time to appear.” If a stat looks off, check back later rather than assuming it is final.
How Long Xbox Playback Is Available
Xbox says Playback is available through December 31, 2026. It has not said whether the Playback Archive stays up after that date, so watch your video and save your card before then.
Playback arrives just ahead of the 25th anniversary of the original Xbox, which launched in North America on November 15, 2001. If your Playback sends you looking for something new to play, our picks for the best Xbox games of 2026 and our list of every game coming to Game Pass in November 2026 are good places to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Xbox Playback free? Yes. Xbox lists no purchase or subscription among the requirements: you need at least 1 Gamerscore, 1 achievement and 1 minute of qualifying gameplay linked to your profile.
Is Xbox Playback the same as Xbox Year in Review? It fills the same role, a personal recap of your play, but Xbox built this one around its 25th anniversary, so it reaches across your available history from every console generation instead of a single year.
Can I watch Xbox Playback in the Xbox app? Xbox names two places to watch: the dashboard on your console and the Playback page at xbox.com/XBOXPlayback. It has not mentioned the Xbox app on phones or PC, so use a web browser when you are away from your console.
Why can’t I see Playback on my Xbox console? The console version needs at least 1 minute of qualifying gameplay on a console, on top of the general requirements, and it was rolled out gradually on launch day. If it still does not appear, watch on the web at xbox.com/XBOXPlayback.
Do I need to change my privacy settings to see Playback? Xbox has not listed any privacy setting among Playback’s requirements. Its stated requirements are 1 Gamerscore, 1 achievement, 1 minute of qualifying gameplay, and an account in one of the 15 supported countries.
How long is Xbox Playback available? Until December 31, 2026, according to Xbox.