The internet browser on Xbox One is Microsoft Edge, and you can find it right on your console's Home Screen. To open it, go to "My Games & Apps," select the "Apps" tab, and choose "Microsoft Edge" from the list.
Where is the internet browser on Xbox One?
Microsoft Edge is the default and only full web browser built into the Xbox One operating system. It replaced Internet Explorer as the console's browser, and it's powered by the same Chromium engine used in desktop versions, so you get a fast and secure browsing experience without leaving your couch. The app icon is labeled "Microsoft Edge" and lives in the Apps section of your games library, not on the main dashboard tiles.
How to open Microsoft Edge on your Xbox One
Launching the browser takes less than a minute once you know where to look. Follow these steps from the Home Screen:
- Press the Xbox button on your controller to bring up the Home Screen if you're not already there.
- Scroll left or right to highlight "My Games & Apps" and press A to open it.
- Use the left bumper to switch to the "Apps" tab at the top of the screen.
- Scroll through the list until you find "Microsoft Edge" and press A to launch it.
If you prefer hands-free control, you can also say "Hey Cortana, open Microsoft Edge" while the Kinect or headset mic is active. The browser will load to its homepage, which includes quick links to popular sites and a search bar ready for input.
Essential controller shortcuts for the Xbox browser
Navigating a web page with a controller feels different from a mouse, but Microsoft mapped the buttons logically. Once you memorize these shortcuts, you'll move through sites as quickly as you would on a PC:
- B button, Go back to the previous page.
- X button, Open a new tab.
- Y button, View your browsing history.
- View button (the two overlapping rectangles), Open the address bar to type a URL.
- Left joystick, Moves the on-screen cursor around the page.
- Right joystick or triggers, Scroll up and down the page.
- Bumpers, Switch between open tabs.
These shortcuts let you jump between sites, check where you've been, and type new addresses without digging through menus, which is exactly what you want when you're using the internet browser on Xbox One for quick lookups or streaming.
What you can do with Microsoft Edge on Xbox
The browser is more than a simple page viewer. Because it's Chromium-based, it handles modern web standards well, meaning most sites render correctly and load quickly. One of the most popular uses is accessing Xbox Cloud Gaming directly from the browser's homepage, letting you play supported titles without installing them. You can also stream video from services like YouTube, Twitch, or network TV apps, and browse social media, news, or shopping sites just like you would on a laptop.
However, not every website works perfectly. Some sites with DRM-protected video playback or strict bot protection systems may refuse to load or display content, because the Xbox browser doesn't always present the same user-agent or security features as a desktop browser.
A note on parental controls and other browsers
If you're setting up the Xbox for a child, you can restrict Microsoft Edge with a PIN through the console's parental settings. That blocks access to the browser entirely unless someone enters the code. But be aware of a potential loophole: other generic "web browser" apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store might bypass these content restrictions, since they're separate apps with their own permissions. If you want to lock down internet access completely, you'll need to review the store apps your child can install and adjust the content filters accordingly.
