Xbox announced today it will launch a disc-to-digital program on August 31, 2026, enabling players to convert physical Xbox One and Xbox Series X game discs into digital copies [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The rollout begins with Xbox Insiders on August 31 and will expand to all users over the following months [1, 3, 4, 5, 6].

At launch, thousands of disc-based games for Xbox One and Series X will be supported, with more titles added later as publishers opt in [1, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Players can claim digital entitlements by inserting a supported disc into an Xbox console and launching the game, at which point a digital version is unlocked for play without the disc [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. However, the physical disc remains fully functional and the digital entitlement is tied to the disc itself, allowing it to be transferred if the disc is lent or sold [2, 3, 4, 5, 6].

The program does not initially support original Xbox or Xbox 360 discs [2, 4, 6]. Publisher participation is required for a game's inclusion, so not all titles will be available at launch [2, 3, 5]. Digital copies also unlock access to Xbox Play Anywhere features on PC and Xbox Cloud Gaming where supported [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].

Xbox VP Jason Ronald said, "Today we are introducing a feature that brings the benefits of digital to physical discs, giving players more flexibility in how they access and play supported games across the Xbox ecosystem. This is part of our broader commitment to game preservation" [1]. He added, "Most Xbox One and Xbox Series X disc-based games support this new feature. Players can claim a digital entitlement by inserting a supported disc and launching the game" [3].

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma emphasized the importance of preserving players' collections. She said, "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" [4].

Xbox stated that the disc-to-digital program is part of preparing for future Xbox consoles that may lack disc drives [1, 3, 4, 6]. The announcement follows Sony's plan to end production of physical PlayStation game discs by January 2028 [1, 3, 4, 6].

The initial testing phase begins on August 31 for Xbox Insiders, with a broader rollout planned for the months after [1, 3, 4, 5, 6].