FFXIV: How to join the Xbox open beta

The time is coming soon for FFXIV to begin testing for its Xbox version release. From February 21 onward, the free trial is available to download on Xbox, so here’s how to join the Xbox open beta for FFXIV.

FFXIV Xbox series X|S open beta prerequisites and instructions

First of all, you cannot join the Xbox open beta with an existing Square Enix account. Your Square Enix account is required to be linked to your Microsoft account to play the open beta, but if there’s an existing registration of XIV, it won’t be allowed to participate. This open beta seems to be tailored to new players with no previous experience with the game. You do not, however, need Game Pass to play the free trial. Only the full, non-beta test version will require Game Pass.

So, if you haven’t played FFXIV before, now is your chance. Make sure your Xbox has the following settings (Settings > Account > Privacy and online safety > Xbox privacy > View details and customize) enabled first:

• Joining multiplayer games
• Joining cross-network play
• Others communicating with voice, text, and invites
• Communicating outside of Xbox with voice and text
• See and upload community creations (Back out into View details and customize > Game content)

Related: FFXIV: Dawntrail expansion is coming Summer 2024

With these set to on, you simply have to go to the Microsoft Store and search Final Fantasy XIV. The free trial will be downloadable from the product page in the Microsoft Store. Then it’s just a matter of waiting through installation followed by opening. The instructions upon opening will do the rest.

While playing this open beta, you have access to everything you do on the free trial version on PC or PS4/5, except for purchases made from the game’s online store. The open beta doesn’t allow for any of those purchases. Now that you know how to join the Xbox open beta of FFXIV, it’s time to see how the game plays on Xbox!