The April update for Xbox One (version 1804) is now rolling out to everyone delivering a new set of features and improvements, which probably won’t significantly change the way you play games, but it will definitely improve the overall experience.
According to the company, the April 2018 release focuses mainly on visual support and audio. Perhaps the biggest changes you’ll find are the support for 1440p on Xbox One X and Xbox One S and for AMD’s FreeSync for compatible displays.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the new additions available starting with the Xbox One April update.
1440p and AMD Radeon FreeSync
Perhaps the biggest and best addition in this update is the new support for 1440p (sometimes referred to as “2560 x 1440” and “QHD”) video output. Nowadays, it’s the resolution of choice for PC gamers as it provides steady high-frame rates instead of focusing on 4K visuals. (1440p support will be available for Xbox One S as well as for Xbox One X only.)
All versions of the console are also getting Auto Low-Latency Mode (ALLM), which is a feature that notify a compatible display when you’re playing a game, allowing the display to switch to its low latency video mode (or game mode).
In addition, this feature update introduces support for AMD Radeon FreeSync, which is a form of variable refresh rate that helps to reduce input latency and minimize display stuttering, delivering a smooth visual gameplay experience. Xbox One S and Xbox One X will also support high dynamic range with AMD Radeon FreeSync 2.
Additionally, it’s now possible to share captured screenshots and clips to Twitter.
Audio settings
On audio, you can now selectively adjust game audio against background music using the Guide and press “A” on the app to see the additional options. In addition, the sound settings on Home and Guide have been redesigned to support spatial audio.
Personalization
Although you’ve been able to switch between light and dark themes on your Xbox One, you can now configure your Xbox personalization settings to change themes automatically based on the time of day (sunrise and sunset in your location).
Microsoft Edge
The version of Microsoft Edge for the console has been updated to make it easier to navigate with a controller. The Favorites and History experience has been tweaked making it simple to return to websites.
Furthermore, you can now download and upload pictures, music, and videos from Microsoft Edge on the console. The downloads will also be accessible with the File Explorer app. Additionally, it’s now possible to mute tabs, read aloud, and autofill.
Mixer Interactive
If you’re a Mixer streamer with the Xbox One April update, you’ll get a new option allowing you to share the controller with a Mixer viewer through Mixer.com.
Using this new functionality, you can share the entire controller (except the Xbox button), and a viewer can take control through the on-screen gamepad or plug a controller into their device.
Also, as part of the April 2018 update, broadcasts will no longer stop when you switch games. Instead, the stream will show a pause screen to viewers until you’re ready to continue.
Open Tournaments
Microsoft is also introducing a few tweaks to Tournaments. With the Xbox One April 2018 update, you can now access Tournaments directly from Game Hubs, which means that you don’t have to be a member of a club to start or join a tournament.
Club filtering
If you’re a club administrator, you can now filter invitation requests based on various criteria, including reputation, Gamerscore, Xbox Live Gold status, and recommendations from existing club members.
Also, club invitees will now appear in a vertical list with details, such as their Gamertag, Gamerpic, Gamerscore, a line noting if the new invitees were recommended by an existing club member and a reputation indicator.
Smarter feeds
Starting with the Spring Update, you’ll be able to sort your club feeds to show you “what’s hot” and “top posts.”
Additionally, you’ll be able to disable comments on your feed posts across clubs, Game Hubs, and Community, and you’ll see cleaner feeds as posts will now hide automatically after a broadcast has ended.
Ease of Access
In order to make Xbox One more accessible to everyone, this new feature update is delivering some Narrator improvements. For example, Narrator volume can now be adjusted independently from system audio volume.
There’s a new input learning mode to the Narrator menu, and once enabled, the Narrator on Xbox One will say the name of whatever button you press on an attached input device.
Also, high contrast light theme and narrator options can both be adjusted in the Ease of Access menu in Settings.
How to download Xbox One April update
The Xbox One April update is rolling out now to every console worldwide. However, if you can’t wait until it’s available to you automatically, you can force the update on Settings > System > Updates > Update console, and tap the Start update button.
What do you think about the changes coming in this new Xbox update? Tell us in the comments, and don’t forget to check all the new features and improvements coming with the April update for Windows 10.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.