How to Get Download Games in the Background (While Xbox Is Off)

Three Methods:Xbox One Xbox 360 Xbox

Downloading the bytes and bits of an entire game over the internet takes a lot longer than downloading a WikiHow article. Naturally, your Xbox needs some time to get the game, but this could slow your connection during a crucial moment in Call of Duty. To avoid this issue, you can learn to set your Xbox to download games after you turn it off.

Method 1
Xbox One

1
Go to the home screen. This is the main menu for the X-box, and what you see when it first powers on. To get there, hit the center X button on your controller and select "Go Home."
2
Press the Menu button on the controller. It is the small center-right button.
3
Find "Power & Startup" in the Settings menu. Click on "Settings" → "Power and Startup." This is where you can set the Xbox to use stand-by mode when you turn it off. It will automatically search for and finish downloads and updates.
4
Choose "Instant-On Power Mode." This will keep the Xbox One on standby so it will finish your downloads when the box is off.^[1]

Method 2
Xbox 360

1
Finish any downloads that you've already started before shutdown with "Low-Power" mode. The 360 can only finish downloads you start when the system is on. It is automatically enabled, so if you start a download then shut off the Xbox, the game will download later.
- The following steps detail how to enable low-power mode if you think it is turned off.
2
Hit the center X button and select "Settings." You can do this from any screen.
3
Select "Systems Settings," then "Console Settings." From here you can change your power settings.
4
Navigate to "Background Downloads" and make sure they are enabled. You can find it in the "Startup and Shutdown" section of settings. Now your downloads will be enabled.

Method 3
Xbox

1
Go to the Xbox Dashboard. Do this by selecting "Home" from the upper right corner.
2
Select Console Settings from the dropdown menu.
3
Go to Startup and Shutdown. This will show you the options for when you turn off your Xbox and allow you to enable downloads.
4
Choose to download while turned off.
5
Turn off your Xbox when you're done playing.
- The Xbox will not fully shut off and the power button will flash.
- The game will download at a 1/4 of the speed as when the Xbox is on.