Windows

Download Starfield for PC, Windows 11/10, Mac and iPhone

Starfield downloads on Windows 11 and Windows 10 PCs from Steam or the Xbox app, but it has no Mac or iPhone version, so on those devices it runs only by streaming through Xbox Cloud Gaming in the browser.

It also installs on Xbox Series X|S and PS5, and each route below links to the official Steam, Xbox or PlayStation store page.

Starfield logo above a Premium Edition badge on a dark starry background
Starfield Premium Edition bundles the base game with Shattered Space, Terran Armada and 1,000 Creation Credits for $69.99 in the US. (Image: Sony)

Which Starfield download do you need?

Starfield is a paid single-player RPG from Bethesda Game Studios. Pick the row that matches the device you will play on.

Your device Where to get Starfield Link Note
Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC Steam Starfield on Steam Installs through the Steam client
Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC Xbox app (Microsoft Store) Starfield on xbox.com Xbox Play Anywhere: one digital purchase covers PC and Xbox Series X|S
Xbox Series X|S Xbox Store on the console Starfield on xbox.com Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
PS5 or PS5 Pro PlayStation Store Starfield on PlayStation PS5 Pro Enhanced
Mac No Mac version; stream it xbox.com/play Xbox Cloud Gaming in a browser on MacOS 14.1.2 and later
iPhone or iPad No iOS app; stream it xbox.com/play Xbox Cloud Gaming in a browser on iOS 14.4 and later

Download Starfield for Windows 11 and Windows 10

Both PC stores sell the same game at the same US price. Steam keeps it in your Steam library; the Xbox store adds Xbox Play Anywhere, so the same digital copy also installs on an Xbox Series X|S console.

The Steam page lists Windows 10 version 21H1 (10.0.19043) as the minimum operating system, so an out-of-date Windows 10 PC needs Windows Update first.

Install Starfield through Steam

  1. If the Steam client is not on the PC yet, select Install Steam at the top of store.steampowered.com and run the installer.
  2. Sign in to Steam and open the Starfield store page.
  3. Select Add to Cart next to Starfield or Starfield Digital Premium Edition and complete the purchase.
  4. Open your Steam library, select Starfield and choose to install it.
  5. Pick a drive on an SSD with at least 125 GB available space, then wait for the download to finish.

Install Starfield from the Xbox app on PC

The Xbox app route is the one to use with PC Game Pass, Game Pass Ultimate or Premium, or a copy bought on xbox.com.

  1. Install the Xbox app on the Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC and sign in with the Microsoft account that owns Starfield or has Game Pass.
  2. Search for Starfield in the app and buy it, or select it from the Game Pass library.
  3. Owned Xbox Play Anywhere games appear in My Library; select Starfield there and install it.
  4. Choose an SSD with 125 GB available space as the install location.

Download Starfield on Xbox Series X|S

Starfield runs on Xbox Series X|S; the Xbox store does not list Xbox One as a platform for the downloaded game.

  1. Open the Store on the Xbox Series X|S console and search for Starfield, or open the Starfield store page on xbox.com while signed in.
  2. Buy Starfield or Starfield Premium Edition, or claim it through Game Pass Ultimate or Premium.
  3. If you bought the digital game in the Xbox app or the Windows Store on PC, it already shows as Ready to Install under My Games and Apps on the console.
  4. Select Starfield and install it.

Install Starfield through the PlayStation Store on PS5

The PlayStation Store lists Starfield for PS5 only, with a PS5 release date of 4/7/2026, and marks it PS5 Pro Enhanced.

  1. Open the Starfield PlayStation Store page or search for Starfield in the PlayStation Store on the PS5.
  2. Choose Standard Edition at $49.99 or Premium Edition at $69.99 and select Add to Cart.
  3. Complete the purchase with the account you use on the PS5.
  4. Download the game from the PS5; it plays on the main PS5 linked to your account and on any other PS5 you sign in to.

The store page also lists Remote Play, and says PS5 and PS Portal cloud streaming of Starfield is supported only with a Premium subscription.

Starfield key art with astronauts, a robot and a launching ship
This key art heads the Starfield PlayStation Store listing, where the PS5 version is marked PS5 Pro Enhanced. (Image: Sony)

Is Starfield on Game Pass?

Game Pass plan Download on PC or Xbox Stream with Xbox Cloud Gaming
Ultimate Included Included
Premium Included Included
PC Game Pass Included on PC Not included: PC Game Pass has no cloud gaming
Essential Not listed on the store page Only after you buy the game

The Xbox store lists Starfield as included with Premium, Ultimate and the PC only plan, which is PC Game Pass (300+ games playable on PC only). Game Pass titles change over time, so check the store page before you subscribe for one game.

Is Starfield free?

Edition or add-on Steam (US) Xbox store (US) PlayStation Store (US)
Starfield (Standard Edition) $49.99 $49.99+ $49.99
Starfield Premium Edition $69.99 $69.99+ $69.99
Premium Edition Upgrade (for owners of the base game) $24.99 Not listed on the game page $24.99
Starfield: Shattered Space Sold separately $19.99 $19.99
Terran Armada Sold separately $9.99 $9.99

No. Starfield is a paid game on every store, and Game Pass is the only way to play it without buying it, which is itself a paid monthly subscription.

The Premium Edition adds the Terran Armada story DLC, the Shattered Space expansion, 1,000 Creation Credits, the Constellation Skin Pack and a digital artbook and soundtrack.

Starfield system requirements and download size

Component Minimum Recommended
OS Windows 10 version 21H1 (10.0.19043) Windows 10/11 with updates
Processor AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Intel Core i7-6800K AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K
Memory 16 GB RAM 16 GB RAM
Graphics AMD Radeon RX 5700, NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
DirectX Version 12 Version 12
Storage 125 GB available space, SSD required 125 GB available space, SSD required
Network Not listed Broadband Internet connection

Steam lists Windows as the only supported platform, with no macOS or Linux requirements, and a hard disk drive does not meet the SSD requirement at either tier.

Can you download Starfield on Mac?

No. Starfield has no macOS version on Steam, and the Xbox store does not list Mac; on a Mac, stream it from xbox.com/play with Xbox Cloud Gaming instead. Xbox Cloud Gaming supports Mac computers on MacOS 14.1.2 and later through a web browser such as Safari, Chrome or Edge, with no app to install. It streams Starfield with Game Pass Premium or Ultimate, or with Game Pass Essential after you buy the game.

Open xbox.com/play, sign in with the Microsoft account that has Game Pass or owns Starfield, and start it from the cloud library. Connect a controller over Bluetooth or USB, and use a connection of at least 20 Mbps, wired or on 5 GHz Wi-Fi where possible.

Starfield on iPhone and Android

There is no Starfield app for iPhone, iPad or Android phones. Xbox Cloud Gaming streams the Xbox version to the phone in the browser.

  • Xbox Cloud Gaming at xbox.com/play: iPhone on iOS 14.4 and later, iPad on iPadOS 14.4 and later, Android OS 12 and later; needs Game Pass Premium or Ultimate, or Essential plus a purchased copy
  • Xbox Cloud Gaming plans and devices: The plan cards list cloud playtime of 5 hours/month on Essential, 10 hours/month on Premium and 15 hours/month on Ultimate

On the phone, open xbox.com/play in a supported browser, sign in, then select Menu and Add to Home Screen to launch it like an app. Xbox recommends 5GHz Wi-Fi or mobile data at 20Mbps or higher, and an Xbox Wireless Controller or DualShock 4 connected before you start.

If Starfield is already installed on your Xbox Series X|S, remote play streams it from the console instead: open xbox.com/play, switch to remote play in the top left menu and follow the prompts, with remote features enabled on the console.

Fix Starfield not downloading or installing

Starfield will not install because of disk space

The game needs 125 GB available space on an SSD, plus room for updates.

  1. Check free space on the target SSD under Start > Settings > System > Storage.
  2. Uninstall games you no longer play on that drive, or choose a different SSD.
  3. Restart the install from Steam or the Xbox app.

Starfield bought on Xbox does not show up on the PC

Xbox Play Anywhere covers digital copies only, and the PC must be signed in to the same Microsoft account.

  1. Confirm the copy is digital; a disc does not unlock the PC version.
  2. Sign in to the Xbox app with the account that bought the game.
  3. Update Windows; Xbox Play Anywhere needs the Windows 10 Anniversary Edition update or later.
  4. Look for Starfield in My Library and install it.

Starfield is missing from the Xbox One store

The Xbox store lists Starfield for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming and handhelds, not as an Xbox One download.

  1. On an Xbox One, play Starfield through Xbox Cloud Gaming instead of the Store download.
  2. Stream it with Game Pass Premium or Ultimate, or with Essential after buying it.

The Starfield cloud stream on Mac or iPhone is blurry or lags

Xbox Cloud Gaming performs best at 10 Mbps on mobile devices and 20 Mbps on PCs and tablets.

  1. Move to 5Ghz Wi-Fi, a wired connection or a stronger mobile data signal.
  2. Close other downloads and streams on the same network.
  3. Reopen xbox.com/play in Safari, Chrome or Edge and start Starfield again.

Game Pass Essential will not stream Starfield

Starfield is cloud playable on Premium and Ultimate; Essential requires a game purchase to stream it.

  1. Buy Starfield on the Xbox store with the same account, or upgrade to Premium or Ultimate.
  2. Return to xbox.com/play and start the stream.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Starfield download on PC?

The Steam page lists 125 GB available space for both minimum and recommended specs, with SSD Required next to it, so a hard disk drive is outside the published requirements. Leave extra room for updates and for the Shattered Space and Terran Armada add-ons if you buy them.

Can I play Starfield on Xbox One?

Not as a download. The Xbox store lists Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming and handhelds. An Xbox One can stream Starfield through Xbox Cloud Gaming with Game Pass Premium or Ultimate, or with Essential after buying the game.

Is Starfield on PS5?

Yes. The PlayStation Store lists a PS5 release date of 4/7/2026, and the game is PS5 Pro Enhanced. The Standard Edition is $49.99 and the Premium Edition, which bundles Shattered Space and Terran Armada, is $69.99 in the US store.

Does buying Starfield on Xbox also give me the PC version?

Yes, for a digital copy bought on the Xbox Store or Windows Store. Starfield is an Xbox Play Anywhere game, so it installs on Xbox Series X|S and a Windows 10 or 11 PC with saves, add-ons and achievements shared. Xbox Play Anywhere does not cover Steam purchases.

Can I play Starfield on a Mac with Steam?

No. Steam lists Starfield for Windows only, with no macOS version, so the Steam client on a Mac cannot install it. On a Mac running MacOS 14.1.2 and later, open xbox.com/play in a browser and stream it with Xbox Cloud Gaming on Game Pass Premium or Ultimate.

Is Starfield on PC Game Pass?

Yes. The Xbox store lists Starfield as included with the PC only plan, PC Game Pass, as well as Game Pass Premium and Ultimate, so PC Game Pass members download it through the Xbox app. PC Game Pass does not include cloud gaming, so streaming needs Premium or Ultimate.

Can I play Starfield on iPhone?

Only by streaming. There is no Starfield app for iOS. On an iPhone running iOS 14.4 and later, open xbox.com/play in the browser, sign in with a Microsoft account that has Game Pass Premium or Ultimate, connect a controller and start Starfield from the cloud library.

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Asher is a games journalist, former News Writer (Gaming) at Windows Central. They contributed 1110 articles to ICXM between 2015–2017, focused on opinion pieces, game reviews, Windows and PC, and Xbox news: wrote over 1,100 ICXM pieces on Xbox news, hardware reviews, and platform commentary before joining Future plc's Windows Central in 2017.

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