Xbox's New Disc-to-Digital Support Is Smarter than Advertised

Published Sep 4, 2026, 12:16 PM EDT This hidden feature will only be useful in specific situations, but it's still pretty neat that it works Image: Halo Studios/Xbox Game Studios via Polygon Sign in to your Polygon.com account Xbox recently rolled out the disc-to-digital feature to those who are part of the Xbox Insider program. Over the past few days, these players have been testing it extensively. As it turns out, Xbox's disc-to-digital program includes a hidden feature that can be extremely useful to certain players, as it allows them to digitize Xbox Series X games using an Xbox One. You can now play Xbox Series X discs on Series S Xbox One owners can insert Series X games into their older console, and while it can't read these discs, it does recognize them. Once the disc is in, a warning will pop up letting players know that the "game isn't compatible." After closing it, they open the options menu and select "claim digital license" in order to assign the game to their account — successfully digitizing an Xbox Series X game on an Xbox One. This way, players can claim the digital license of Series X games without actually having access to the console. Though it only applies to players in specific situations, it makes it possible for them to take advantage of the perks that come with owning physical media even if they own the current-gen digital console, Xbox Series S. Physical games tend to be a more affordable option nowadays due to great discounts at retailers or finds in the secondhand market. While consoles with a disc reader are more expensive, the ability to buy physical discs has always been one of the main reasons why many players still prefer consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 over their digital-only counterparts. Thanks to the disc-to-digital program, Xbox players can have the best of both worlds: purchase physical current-gen games and play them on the more affordable Series S console. As long as they have access to an Xbox One, they can scan their physical games and play them on their digital-only console. If they receive physical Xbox games as gifts by accident — it happens more than you'd think, — they can keep them, and continue to use the secondhand market. Another notable feature of this program is that it allows players to claim games that have been delisted and are no longer available on the Xbox Store, preventing their early death.