Microsoft brings Auto SR’s AI game upscaling to handheld play without a dock

Players on supported ROG Xbox handhelds can now use Microsoft’s AI game upscaling on the built-in screen, including while running on battery. Microsoft took Automatic Super Resolution, or Auto SR, out of preview on November 10, 2026, for the ROG Xbox Ally X and X20, and added availability on select AMD Ryzen-powered Copilot+ PCs.

Auto SR uses AI to upscale games—to make their images look sharper. The release addresses two practical barriers from the preview: where players could use it and which game resolutions would activate it. Those changes are available now; the new Performance Mode and Auto HDR compatibility have a separate Windows update rollout.

The handheld no longer needs a dock

During the Xbox Insider preview, Auto SR worked only while docked. Microsoft says it started there because sharper detail made the biggest difference on larger displays. Player feedback prompted support for the device’s own screen, so the feature now works during undocked play, including when the handheld is unplugged and running on battery.

The resolution change removes another obstacle. Many handheld games default to 1080p to match the built-in display, but the preview required players to lower that setting before Auto SR would activate. Microsoft says missing that step was a common reason the feature stayed off. Auto SR now accepts games running at 1080p and can upscale them to 1440p when docked to a higher-resolution screen.

There is a qualification for the internal screen: Microsoft warns that using 1080p in handheld mode may deliver less optimal performance than other configurations. It still promises visual improvements, especially in older games. Support for the setting is therefore not a promise that it is the best-performing option.

A faster mode follows through Windows updates

Microsoft says Auto SR previously topped out at roughly 60 to 75 frames per second. Its new Performance Mode raises the limit to up to 120 FPS. That is a higher ceiling, not a guaranteed result for every game. Performance Mode will reach devices through Windows updates rather than being immediately available to everyone with this release.

Auto HDR compatibility is also coming through Windows updates. Auto HDR adds brighter highlights and richer colors to games without native HDR support when used with an HDR display. Until now, players had to choose between it and Auto SR. The update allows both to work together on an HDR TV, monitor or the ROG Xbox Ally X20.

Getting the release onto a supported device

Microsoft’s setup instructions involve updates to both Windows and the Auto SR package. The expanded PC availability is limited to select AMD Ryzen-powered Copilot+ machines, rather than every computer carrying that label. On supported hardware, the company directs players through these steps:

1. Update Game Bar and install the latest Windows 11 updates.
2. Download or update the Auto Super Resolution Package from the Microsoft Store.
3. Open Game Bar using the Xbox button or Win + G on a keyboard, then go to Widgets menu > Display > Graphics.

Game Bar is also where players can switch between Quality and Performance modes during play once the latter reaches their device. Microsoft describes that control as a way to choose the right balance for each game without leaving the session.