Hidden Features of the Xbox One Dashboard

Bandwidth/ Speed Test

Have you ever wondered why you are lagging so badly in a game on the Xbox? You can quickly figure out the reason by looking at the dashboard! But it is not as obvious as it might seem.

1. Start at the home page on the Xbox One Dashboard
2. Select "My games & apps"
3. Then scroll down to Apps and find the App called "Settings"
4. Once selected, there will be a list of options. Scroll down to "Network" and select "Network Settings".
5. The screen will no show your Current Network Status. Select "Detailed network statistics" from the Troubleshooting menu.

Now your Xbox will begin "Checking Connection". Once it has completed, your screen will display your Download Speed, Upload Speed, Wireless Strength, and Latency.

Smartglass Xbox one app

Here's a Fun Fact!: Xbox One's new Smartglass app allows you to control your Xbox from your phone!

With the App, you can use your phone like an Xbox Controller or it can become a TV remote for those that have cable streamed through their Xbox.

There are also games that take advantage of this technology as well! Battlefield 4 allows players to use the Smartglass companion app to transform their phone/ tablet screens into a live battlefield map.

In order to download the app and use it:

1. First, your Xbox One and your phone must be on the same Wifi
2. Then download the Xbox One Smartglass via the Google Play Store or the App Store
3. After its been downloaded, sign into Xbox Live on your Xbox.
4. When you open the app, you will be prompted to Sign in using your Microsoft account information.

5. On the app's dashboard, select the Sidebar Menu button on the top left of the screen, then scroll down and select, "Connection".
5. Select the first option; "Connect to your Xbox One". It'll bring you to a screen that shows you the "Consoles on Your Network".

Find your Xbox, select it, and then click the Connect prompt. Now you're all set to use your phone as an extension of the Xbox!

Favorite Friends

Annoyed by friends notifications popping up all the time while you're playing games?

With the Xbox One's Favorites feature, now you can tell your Xbox which players on your friend's list are worthy of your notifications. No more getting interrupted by notifications telling you "that one you guy you played a few games of Halo with a while back is turning his Xbox off and on like a madman."

1. From the Xbox One Dashboard Home screen double tap the Xbox Home button on your controller twice which will snap open the Sidebar Menu that displays your friend's list.
2. Scroll down to the friend you wish to favorite and select his/her gamer tag.
3. Then from your friend's profile menu select Change Friendship.

You will be given 2 options, the Friends option is already filled in. Select Favorite and then click the Submit button at the bottom of the menu.

Power Mode: Instant on Vs. Energy Saver

The Xbox One's "Instant on" feature allows players to turn on their Xbox and get back right where they left off.

You can now avoid the long system boot-up of the Xbox One! This feature also allows the Xbox to update while it is off. Essentially you can now decide to Turn off your Xbox or put it to Sleep Mode; like a computer.

1. From the Xbox One Dashboard Home Page select My games & apps.
2. Scroll down to Apps in the menu and find the Settings app.
3. When you have reached the Settings menu, scroll down to Power & Startup.
4. This screen will give you two options, select the Power mode & startup option.
5. From the list, select "Power Mode", which will either read "Instant-On" or "Energy Saver" underneath it.

From this drop-down menu, you can choose whether you wish your Xbox to go to "Sleep" when you turn it off (Instant-on) or completely shut down (Energy Saver).

Button Mapping

Ever wondered if you could configure the Xbox One controller to your desired settings? Albeit a little hidden within the Xbox Dashboard, it can be done:

1. From the home page on the Xbox One Dashboard select "My games & apps".
2. Then scroll down to Apps and find the "Settings" app.
3. Under settings, scroll down and select "Kinect & Devices".
4. Select "Devices & Accessories" and choose the controller you wish to configure.
5. On the Xbox One Wireless Controller page, scroll down and select "Button Mapping". It will ask for your confirmation to configure the controller.
6. Select Configure. In the next menu under "Edit configuration", select "Button mapping".

From there, you can invert your controls, swap triggers, or do whatever your heart desires to the button assignments.

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Happy gaming!

- ShockerMPH