Xbox

Because the Xbox Ally X is a Windows 11 device – at least by default – you will have to sign into a Microsoft account to even use the handheld. When you boot up into the Xbox app for the first time, it’ll ask you whether or not your current Microsoft account is the same as your Xbox account. For most people the answer to this will be yes.

If not, under where it says “Use a different account,” scroll down to “Microsoft account” with the D-Pad and hit the A button – or you can just tap it with your finger. Then, hit “Continue” then follow the instructions on-screen to get signed into your Xbox account. Once you’re signed in, a screen showing your Xbox profile picture will appear with a big green button that says “Let’s Go”. Click that and then you’ll be in the Xbox app.

Once you’re all signed into your Xbox account, use the controller to navigate over to the Library tab – it’ll look like a bunch of books on a shelf. Once you’re there, tab over to “My Apps” and you’ll see the other apps you can install.

Steam

Within “My Apps,” find the Steam Logo and then navigate over to it and hit the A button or just tap it with your finger. It should already be installed, and it’ll open in a new window. As soon as you open the program, it’ll start by checking for updates, and then it’ll open into Big Picture Mode, where you’ll have to pick your language and time zone.

Once that’s done, you’ll see the sign-in page. Either enter your user name and password, or if you’re like me, and you use Steam Guard, scan the QR code with the Steam mobile app. There’s also a “create Steam Account” button under the QR code if you don’t already have an account. Once you’ve signed in, Steam will download your user data, then walk you through a tour of Big Picture Mode. And, there you go, you’re signed into Steam and ready to download your games.

Epic Games Store

Go back to the Xbox app, then navigate to “My apps” and click on or tap the Epic Games Store option. Unlike Steam, you’ll have to download it, but the Xbox app will take care of that for you. Just wait for the green spinning circle to stop and then follow the on-screen instructions to navigate through the installation wizard. It’s likely you’ll have to use the touch screen a couple times throughout this process.

Once the Epic Games Store is installed, you’ll get the sign-in screen. There are several options to sign in, especially if you’ve already linked your account to your PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo account through something like Fortnite – or you can just sign in with an email and password. Once you’ve signed in, and you get past the two-factor authentication, you’ll be able to download your games. However, keep in mind that Epic has not implemented gamepad controls in its app, so you’ll have to use the touchscreen to navigate the app, and it’s not the best experience. But, hey, it works!

Battle.net

Just like the Epic Games Store, you can download the Battle.net app by finding it in the “My apps” section, tapping it or clicking on it. Once the app is downloaded, you’ll be asked to select a language. Once that’s selected, the app will go through its installation process. Just hit yes when it asks you for permission and you’ll get through it.

Once the app is installed, it should show a very skinny vertical sign-in page. If it doesn’t, and it kicks you back to the library in the Xbox app, just re-open the Battle.net app and it’ll bring you to the login screen. From there either sign into your account or create a new one, and then it’ll bring you to the app. However, just like the Epic Games Store, Blizzard hasn’t worked in controller support, so you’ll have to use the touch screen to navigate the program.

GOG

Go back to the Xbox app and navigate to the “My apps” page again. Then, click on or tap the GOG Galaxy logo to install the new app. Once it’s downloaded, you’ll be guided through the navigation process, and you will probably have to use the touch screen to get through it. Once it’s done, make sure “launch GOG Galaxy” is checked and hit finish. Then, you’ll get another narrow login screen. From there either enter your email or password, or use one of the other sign-in methods.

Once you’re signed in, the app will open, and you’ll be able to download games from GOG. However, just like Battle.net and Epic Games Store, you won’t be able to use the gamepad to navigate the app, beyond setting it to Desktop mode to emulate a mouse.

Ubisoft Connect

Again, like the other third-party launchers, go back to the Xbox app and navigate to the “My apps” tab of the library page. Once you’re there, navigate to the Ubisoft Connect logo and click it, or tap it with your finger. Like with the other launchers, this will download the app and start the installation process. Then, use the touch screen to get through the installation process. The app will go through a couple of splash screens where it’ll check for updates, and then it’ll send you to the login screen.

Simply enter your email and password, and then tap “login” with your finger. Once that’s done, you’ll be in the Ubisoft app, where you can navigate your library and download games. However, unlike a lot of the third-party platforms, you can navigate this app with the controller, which makes it one of the easiest launchers to actually use.

Everything Else

Any other game, app or launcher that isn’t immediately displayed in the Xbox “My apps” tab will need to be installed and used in desktop mode. That’s not ideal, but you can access the desktop in two ways. The easiest is to hold down the Xbox button and then navigate down to the Windows Desktop button and hit the A button. Or, you can just use your finger to swipe up from the bottom of the screen and tap the Desktop button.

Once you’re in Desktop mode, you can use Microsoft Edge to download and install whatever your little heart desires. Though, keep in mind that with the way the Xbox app works right now, you won’t be able to add other apps to the Full Screen Experience, which can be a pain if it’s an app you need to use regularly. Hopefully Microsoft either changes this or simply adds way more apps that you can download in the Full Screen Experience. We’ll just have to wait and see for that, though.

Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. You can follow her @Jackiecobra