Xbox One Background Music Now Supports Microsoft's Own Streaming Service

Xbox One owners now have a new, more official way to use background music on the console. Microsoft's Groove Music app has been updated to version 3.6.2395, which finally allows you to use it to listen to music while playing games.

The app can be snapped, too, so you can bring up the menu screen without leaving a game or other app you have open. Take a look at the video below from Windows Central to see how background music with Groove works on Xbox One.

If Groove Music doesn't automatically update to the newest version, you can force the update by following the instructions below, provided by Windows Central.

1. Go to your Games & Apps section, located at the top right of the main dashboard screen.
2. Select the apps tab.
3. Select Groove with the view key on your controller, and hit update.

Listening to background music on Xbox One was possible before this, as the update that came out in early August unlocked background music support. However, this was only possible through apps made by other developers, not Microsoft itself.

Microsoft operates Groove Music, a music-streaming service that is available for Xbox consoles, as well as PC and mobile devices. It boasts a library of more than 40 million tracks. You can listen for free (with ads) or buy a Groove Music Pass for $10/month to kill the ads and unlock more features.

Background music is already available on the competing PlayStation 4 by way of PlayStation Music, which is made in partnership between Sony and Spotify.