Can you play Microsoft Flight Simulator with Xbox Game Pass?
Yes — you can play Microsoft Flight Simulator with Xbox Game Pass when the sim is included in the Game Pass catalogue and your subscription tier covers the platform you want to use. On PC and Xbox Series X|S that usually means direct access through the Xbox app or console library; on some devices it may also be available through cloud streaming.
Does Xbox Game Pass include Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Usually, yes. Microsoft Flight Simulator has been offered through Xbox Game Pass, but catalogue availability can change. The first thing we always tell readers is simple: treat Game Pass access as catalogue access, not permanent ownership.
If the sim is currently listed in your Game Pass library, you can install or stream it as long as your subscription and platform support it. If it leaves the catalogue later, you would normally lose access unless you buy it outright.
Which version of Microsoft Flight Simulator is on Game Pass?
That depends on what Microsoft is currently offering. In practice, Game Pass access usually covers the standard base version of the sim rather than every premium aircraft or airport bundle.
That matters because Microsoft Flight Simulator has had different editions. If you want the extra hand-crafted airports or aircraft from higher editions, those may still require a paid upgrade even when the core simulator itself is included with Game Pass.
| What you want | Typical Game Pass situation | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Base simulator | Often included while in catalogue | Whether your Game Pass tier covers PC, console or cloud |
| Deluxe/Premium content | Usually not included automatically | Whether an upgrade is sold separately |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 vs 2024 | Varies by current catalogue listing | Which title is actually shown in your library |
Can you play it on PC, Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One with Game Pass?
Yes, but the method depends on the device.
| Platform | Can you play with Game Pass? | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| PC | Yes | Install through the Xbox app if your tier includes the PC catalogue |
| Xbox Series X|S | Yes | Install from your console library if the title is included |
| Xbox One | Sometimes | Not as a native install; cloud streaming may be the only route if supported |
| Tablet, phone or lower-spec device | Sometimes | Cloud streaming may work if your subscription includes it and the sim is enabled |
The Xbox One point catches people out. Microsoft Flight Simulator is not a native Xbox One title in the usual sense, so Game Pass on Xbox One generally means cloud play if available, not a full local installation.
How do you install Microsoft Flight Simulator with Game Pass?
- Check your subscription tier and make sure it includes access to the platform you want to use, such as PC, console or cloud.
- Open your Xbox library on PC or console and search for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
- Confirm which title is listed, especially if more than one simulator version appears.
- Select Install or Play. On supported hardware you will usually install locally; on unsupported hardware you may see a cloud-play option instead.
- Allow the content download. Flight Simulator is large, so make sure you have enough storage space and time for the initial download.
- Launch and sign in with the same account tied to your Game Pass subscription.
Do you need to download the whole sim with Game Pass?
If you are playing on PC or Xbox Series X|S, usually yes. Microsoft Flight Simulator is a large installation and may download additional content after the launcher opens.
If you are using cloud streaming, the heavy install is avoided, but image quality, input lag and stability depend on your connection. For serious IFR flying or precise landings, local installation is usually the better experience.
What happens to your add-ons and saved progress?
On PC
Your settings and progress are normally tied to your account, but add-ons are a separate issue. If you use community mods or third-party aircraft, those are not automatically included just because you have Game Pass access to the base sim.
You would still manage compatible add-ons yourself, and some products only work with certain sim versions. If you browse extra content, keep everything organised and use trusted sources such as our own library at Fly Away Simulation downloads.
On Xbox
Xbox players are much more restricted. Community-folder style PC mods are not part of the normal Xbox setup, and content access is usually limited to what the sim supports on console.
Do you keep Microsoft Flight Simulator if Game Pass expires?
No. If you stop paying for Game Pass, or if the sim leaves the Game Pass catalogue, you normally lose access to the title unless you buy it separately.
Your account progress may still exist, but the right to launch the sim through Game Pass does not. That is the main difference between subscription access and ownership.
Is Microsoft Flight Simulator free with Game Pass?
Not exactly. It is not free in the true sense — it is included as part of a paid subscription. That means you can play without buying the full simulator outright, but only while your subscription remains active and the title stays in the catalogue.
Is Game Pass a good way to start with Microsoft Flight Simulator?
For most new simmers, yes. It is one of the easiest ways to try Microsoft Flight Simulator without committing to a full purchase first.
We especially recommend it if you want to:
- see whether your PC runs the sim well enough,
- try the Xbox version before buying extra hardware,
- test whether you actually enjoy long-haul or study-level flying,
- sample the base aircraft before paying for upgrades or add-ons.
If you already know you want premium aircraft, extra airports or a long-term permanent licence, buying the full version may still make more sense.
Common Game Pass gotchas
- Wrong tier: some subscribers have Game Pass, but not the specific tier that includes the platform they want.
- Cloud confusion: on unsupported hardware, being able to stream the sim is not the same as being able to install it locally.
- Edition mismatch: the base edition may be included, while deluxe or premium extras are not.
- Storage shock: even through Game Pass, Flight Simulator still needs substantial storage for a local install.
- Catalogue changes: a title being available today does not guarantee it stays there permanently.
Bottom line
Yes, you can play Microsoft Flight Simulator with Xbox Game Pass, provided the sim is currently in the Game Pass catalogue and your subscription tier supports the platform you are using. On PC and Xbox Series X|S that usually means a normal install; on Xbox One or lighter devices, it may mean cloud streaming instead.