Xbox Free Play Days: How to Find and Join

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Xbox Free Play Days gives Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Game Pass Core subscribers free access to a rotating selection of full games for a limited time, usually from Thursday to Sunday. You can play the entire game, earn achievements, and keep your progress if you buy it later. This guide shows you exactly where to find the current Free Play Days titles on your console, PC, or phone, and how to start playing in under a minute.

What You’ll Need

An active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Game Pass Core subscription (Free Play Days is not available with the standard Game Pass for Console or PC plans).
An Xbox console (One, Series X/S) or the Xbox app on Windows 10/11 PC.
A stable internet connection – you’ll need to download the game, and online multiplayer requires an internet connection.
Enough free storage space on your console or PC for the game (check the game’s size in the store listing).

Step-by-Step

Check your subscription: Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, go to Profile & system > Settings > Account > Subscriptions. Confirm that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Core is listed as active. If you’re on PC, open the Xbox app and click your profile icon to see your subscription status.
Go to the Free Play Days hub on console: On your Xbox console, press the Xbox button to open the guide. Select “Store� and then scroll to “Deals� or use the search bar. The easiest way is to press the Xbox button, select “Store,� then choose “Free Play Days� from the left-hand menu. If you don’t see it, use the search function and type “Free Play Days.�
Alternatively, use the Game Pass tab: Press the Xbox button, then select “Game Pass� from the guide. Scroll down to the “Free Play Days� row (it’s usually near the top). This row shows all current titles with a “Free Play Days� badge.
On PC (Windows 10/11): Open the Xbox app (search for “Xbox� in the Start menu). Click “Game Pass� in the left sidebar. Scroll down to find the “Free Play Days� section. If it’s not visible, click “Store� in the sidebar and then search “Free Play Days.�
On mobile (Xbox app): Open the Xbox app on your phone. Tap the “Store� icon at the bottom. Tap “Free Play Days� in the list of categories. You can browse titles and even start a remote download to your console from here.
Select the game you want: Click on any game tile to open its store page. You’ll see the “Free Play Days� banner and the exact dates the offer is valid (typically Thursday to Sunday).
Start the download: Click “Download� or “Install� on the game’s store page. The game will begin downloading to your console or PC. You can play as soon as the download is complete – you don’t need to wait for the full install if the game supports “play while downloading,� but most games require the full download.
Launch the game: Once installed, you can launch it from your games list or the store page. You’ll have full access to the game, including all modes, for the duration of the Free Play Days weekend.
Keep your progress (optional): If you decide to buy the game after the Free Play Days ends, your saves and achievements carry over. You’ll also get a discount on the game during the Free Play Days period – check the store page for the “Deal� price.

Common Mistakes

Thinking Free Play Days is available to all Game Pass members: It’s only for Ultimate and Core subscribers. Standard Game Pass (Console or PC) doesn’t include it.
Looking in the wrong place: Free Play Days games are not in the regular Game Pass library. They’re in a separate section, so don’t search for them among the hundreds of Game Pass titles.
Assuming the game is free forever: The offer ends on Sunday night (usually 11:59 PM PT). After that, the game locks and you can’t play it unless you buy it.
Not checking the game’s size: Some Free Play Days games are huge (100+ GB). If you don’t have enough space, the download will fail. Check the size before you start.
Forgetting to cancel a pre-order: If you click “Buy� instead of “Download� on the store page, you might accidentally purchase the game. Always double-check the button label.

Tips

Set a reminder: Free Play Days usually runs from Thursday to Sunday. Check the hub on Thursday morning to see the new lineup.
Pre-download early: If you know a game you want is coming, you can sometimes pre-download it a day before the event starts (check the store page for a “Pre-install� option).
Use the Xbox app to download remotely: If you’re away from your console, use the Xbox app on your phone to start the download so it’s ready when you get home.
Check for multiplayer weekends: Free Play Days often coincides with special multiplayer events or double XP weekends, so jump in early to maximize your time.
Compare the discount: If you like the game, the store page usually shows a discount during Free Play Days. That’s often the cheapest time to buy it.

Troubleshooting

“Free Play Days� doesn’t appear in my store: Make sure your console is fully updated (Settings > System > Updates). If you’re on PC, update the Xbox app via the Microsoft Store. Also, verify your subscription is active – if it lapsed, the section disappears.
I get an error when trying to download: This usually means you don’t have enough storage. Go to Settings > System > Storage, free up space, and try again. If the error persists, restart your console (hold the power button for 10 seconds) and try again.
The game says “You need to buy this� even though I’m in Free Play Days: You might be looking at a game that isn’t part of the current Free Play Days lineup. Double-check the dates and the “Free Play Days� badge. If it’s definitely the right game, sign out and back in (Profile & system > Sign out, then sign in again).
The game won’t launch after download: Try a hard reset of your console (hold the power button for 10 seconds, then turn it back on). If on PC, close the Xbox app and relaunch it. Also check that the game isn’t still installing – some games require a “ready to start� threshold.
I played last week’s Free Play Days game and now it’s locked: That’s expected. The offer ended. Your saves are still there, so if you buy the game later, you’ll pick up where you left off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need Xbox Live Gold for Free Play Days?
A: No, Xbox Live Gold is being replaced by Xbox Game Pass Core, which includes online multiplayer and Free Play Days. If you have Ultimate, that also includes everything.

Q: Can I play Free Play Days games on PC?
A: Yes, many Free Play Days titles are also available on PC via the Xbox app, but not all. The store page will indicate if it’s “Playable on� PC. You need an active Ultimate subscription to play on PC.

Q: Can I play Free Play Days games with friends who don’t have a subscription?
A: No, you must have an active Ultimate or Core subscription to play Free Play Days games. However, if you’re playing a multiplayer game, your friends can join you in a party, but they won’t be able to launch the game themselves without a subscription.

Q: Do I keep my achievements and progress after the Free Play Days ends?
A: Yes, all achievements and save data are stored on your Xbox profile. If you buy the game later, you’ll continue from where you left off.

Q: How often do new Free Play Days games appear?
A: New games are added every week, usually on Thursday. The lineup changes weekly, and some games may return multiple times.

Q: Can I play Free Play Days games offline?
A: You need to be online to verify your subscription and to download the game. Once downloaded, you can play offline for the duration of the event, but if your console goes offline, the game may lock until you reconnect.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.