Xenia is a fast, open-source Xbox 360 emulator that allows you to play Xbox 360 games on your PC. Designed for modern hardware, Xenia prioritizes performance, compatibility, and accuracy — making it one of the best solutions for experiencing Xbox 360 games on desktop platforms.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know to get started with Xenia on Windows, Mac and Linux, including system requirements, installation steps, and optional tools to enhance your gameplay experience.
Before you begin, make sure your PC meets the minimum hardware requirements:
Operating System: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit only)
CPU: Modern Intel or AMD processor with AVX instruction support
GPU: Graphics card with Direct3D 12 or Vulkan support (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel)
RAM: Minimum 4 GB (8 GB or more recommended)
Storage: SSD recommended for faster game loading
Xenia does not support 32-bit Windows or outdated hardware. Most systems built from 2013 onward should work fine.
1. Download the official Xenia build
Visit our official Download Page to get the latest build of Xenia.
You can also choose between the official build or Xenia Canary (experimental community version).
2. Extract the .zip archive
.zip file and extract it to a folder (e.g., C:\Xenia or your desktop).
3. Launch the Emulator
xenia.exe to open the application. You’ll see a simple window and log console appear.
4. Load a Game
Click File → Open and select a valid Xbox 360 game file. Xenia supports:
.xex (extracted game executable)
.iso (full disc image)
If your hardware meets the requirements and the game is compatible, it will begin running immediately.
Example: Halo 3 running successfully on Xenia.
Xenia supports several community-developed tools that improve usability, compatibility, and control customization.
Xenia Canary is a community-maintained fork of the emulator that includes:
Game-specific patches
Experimental features (like resolution scaling)
Better compatibility with newer games
Perfect for users who want early access to new features or enhanced compatibility.
If you prefer a visual interface similar to Dolphin or RPCS3, Xenia Manager offers:
A game library browser
Quick launch buttons
Access to emulator settings via a clean GUI
It’s ideal for casual users who want a plug-and-play experience.
Want to run games at 60 FPS, fix compatibility issues, or unlock hidden content?
These tools allow you to:
Apply .patch.toml files to supported games
Create custom patches using Patch Maker
Improve gameplay smoothness or visuals in select titles
Prefer mouse and keyboard controls in shooters like Call of Duty or Halo?
MouseHook bridges mouse input to the analog stick, giving you precise PC-style aiming.
Xenia was designed primarily for Windows, but experimental Linux support is available for advanced users.
Modern Linux distro (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, etc.)
Vulkan-capable GPU with up-to-date drivers
Familiarity with compiling software from source
Optional: Wine (to run the Windows version of Xenia)
1. Clone the Repository
git clone --recursive https://github.com/xenia-project/xenia.git
2. Install Dependencies
Vulkan SDK
CMake
Clang or GCC
SDL2
Python (for tools/scripts)
3. Build the Emulator
mkdir build && cd build
cmake .. -G Ninja
ninja
./xenia path/to/game.xex
3. Run Xenia
Use a terminal to launch the compiled binary.
Load .xex or .iso files like on Windows.
Alternatively, some users run the Windows version of Xenia via Wine with mixed results.
While Xenia is primarily built for Windows, recent advancements in macOS Sequoia and tools like CrossOver and the Game Porting Toolkit have made it possible to run Xenia on Apple Silicon Macs.
Follow these steps to get Xenia running on your Mac:
Install CrossOver
Download and install CrossOver, a popular compatibility layer for running Windows apps on macOS. A free 14-day trial is available.
Enable Game Porting Toolkit 2
In CrossOver’s settings, make sure to enable Game Porting Toolkit 2, which enhances compatibility with DirectX 12-based applications like Xenia.
Download a Patched Xenia Canary Build
Use a community-maintained version of Xenia Canary that removes AVX2 checks, making it compatible with macOS. This version can be downloaded on our downloads page > canary.
Create a New Bottle in CrossOver
Open CrossOver and create a new bottle using the Windows 10 (64-bit) template.
Adjust Graphics Settings
Enable D3DMetal for Direct3D-to-Metal translation and enable MSync for smoother synchronization.
Launch Xenia
Inside the bottle, use CrossOver’s “Run Command” to open xenia_canary.exe. If prompted, you can safely ignore any AVX-related warnings.
Load a Game
Once Xenia launches, select a compatible .xex or .iso Xbox 360 game file to begin playing.
Running Xenia on macOS is still considered experimental, and performance may vary depending on your hardware. On Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) devices, users typically report 10 to 30 frames per second, depending on the game.
Keep in mind:
AVX emulation introduces some performance overhead.
Not all games will work perfectly due to compatibility limitations.
Input and audio behavior may differ slightly from the Windows version.
Xenia now supports Windows fully, Linux experimentally, and — thanks to community innovation — can run on macOS Sequoia for Apple Silicon users via CrossOver and AVX2-patched builds.
Whether you’re on PC or Mac, Xenia offers a flexible foundation for playing Xbox 360 titles — and with tools like Canary, Manager, Patcher, and MouseHook, you can shape your experience to suit your setup.
For best performance and compatibility:
Keep your GPU drivers updated
Check our Game Compatibility page
Explore the Knowledge Base for technical guides and performance tips