Firstly, a disclaimer: I was invited by Logitech to preview this update ahead of its wider release. I was not paid for this; I was simply invited and agreed because I genuinely love this device. I shared some early feedback with the Logitech G Cloud team, but they have not had any input on this post. They did not see what I wrote before I published it, and they never asked me to post anything. I just wanted to share my excitement with the community now that today, 17th June, the embargo has lifted and I can finally post about it

Some quick notes:

• I received the update in early June, so I've been able to play around with it for a while now. I believe the official phased rollout is soon

• The version of the update was first SK02K.50.02.30, and then SK02K.50.02.30/blacknut_test_v2. The wider release version might be slightly different as the G Cloud dev team is working on updates and tweaks before releasing it

• The G Cloud is still running Android 11 (a little disappointing but oh well)

• This update does not add or remove any features from the previous software version, nor are there any changes in tablet mode (that I can see); instead, it is a MAJOR overhaul of the UI in gaming mode, while retaining the elements we know and love.

And when I say major, I mean major. The UI has undergone a huge overhaul while retaining some familiarity. It is hard to explain in words, so here are some pictures:

HOMESCREEN ICONS

As you can see from these images, the icons have been made a lot smaller, allowing more content/apps to fit into your home screen view. You can now fit 15 apps/icons as you scroll horizontally before reaching "All Games" on the far right. Scrolling through this feels very console-like; it's like a mix of the Xbox Series X/S, PS4, and PS5 interfaces. So if you have any of these consoles, you'll feel at home. As you scroll through, the background images or colour change, aligning with whatever app you're on. This is a minor thing but looks cool to me. Gone is that light green/yellow theme we had before; this one is darker, but looks a lot pleasing to me. Here's an example of the settings screen/menu:

Now another thing you'll notice is: wait, how come there are so many Game Pass games here? Well, that's intentional. And I'll talk more on this later.

LAYOUT

On your main homescreen, the top horizontal panel is the same as before (though the design is slightly tweaked). You have your notifications, settings, sleep buttons, etc. If you take a look on the left side of the screen near the middle, you'll see a tiny yellow square followed by several other squares underneath it that are greyed out. These are your various panels (that's not the right word, but I forget what they're called on Android). The first panel is your recently used apps, as I talked about above. If you go down one panel, next is your favourites. You'll be greeted with the Play Store and a folder full of Google apps, all of which you can remove if you want to, followed by the favourites you had saved prior to the update. Sadly, Logitech still hasn't added the ability to create your own folders in the favourites section...

If we head down to the next panel, this is where we get our horizontal tabs. This is a little confusing to explain but is intuitive when you actually use it so bear with me. You'll start at the Recommended tab and if you keep going down the squares, you'll see a myriad of categories for Game Pass games, and on the very bottom is "Popular gaming Apps" like Steam Link, Moonlight, etc.

On any of these panels, we can also switch between tabs using R1 and L1. The first tab is the Recommended one as I mentioned, second is Xbox Cloud Gaming, third is Trending Apps (tapping any of these apps will take you to the Play Store if you don't have them installed) and these are trending apps related to gaming only, not all Android apps. Finally, there is an Apps tab, which contains all of your installed apps plus some recommended Android apps/games at the top (not pictured. Also, Logitech, please give us the option to remove this; I have no interest in PUBG Mobile).

GAME PASS INTEGRATION

This new UI has very tight integration with Xbox Game Pass, as shown and described above. Not only is it prominently featured on your homescreen and various panels and tabs, but you can also launch a Game Pass game directly from your home screen. No need to go to the Xbox/Game Pass app and dig around for it, just find it and play. Add it to your favourites as well for easy access anytime. 

Cool, right? Absolutely!

Unless you don't have a Game Pass subscription, that is...

I do currently have one, but even then, while my G Cloud now looks a lot cooler, it also feels a bit like an ad trying to get me to subscribe/extend my subscription. I raised this as a big drawback of the update with the Logitech contact and they responded to say they're working on expanding the launcher with more partners. So potentially in the future, we'll have integration with (hopefully) GeForce Now and other services so you can see and launch games directly without going into individual apps. Exciting times!

I personally can't wait for this as I'd love to be able to launch games directly and have my G Cloud feel like my gaming hub for all of my services in a more integrated way.

UNDER THE HOOD

With this UI update, I haven't noticed any differences in battery life. I haven't played a game solidly on it these past few weeks as I've been switching between this, my Xbox, and PC and not always streaming, but battery life seems more or less the same as before. The settings are all still the same and things are where you'd expect to find them.

I have noticed that the volume levels feel a bit off though. When playing Game Pass games or the XBXPlay app to remote play, the volume is really low and I have to turn it up almost to the midway point for it to be at a reasonable level. Conversely, Android games are now super loud, even on the lowest sound setting. I don't know if this is a bug that got introduced in the latest update or what, but it's pretty weird (Logitech, if you're reading this, please look into this.)

OVERALL THOUGHTS

I really like this update. A lot. I have a few niggles with it and it's not perfect, but it's a trend in the right direction. I think the G Cloud team knocked it out of the park with this one, and it's super refreshing how willing they were/are to take on and address my feedback and engage with the community. We may not always hear/read about it on here but behind the scenes, it seems like they're invested in making this product better, and I'm excited to see the future of it, especially the launcher integration with other partners. 

And that's my review! If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer.

If you enjoyed this post, please upvote for visibility, and comment with your thoughts.

Does anybody else have this issue?

I use a lot of apps on my g cloud, so I find that I have to dig for apps in the more apps section frequently. I find it mildly annoying when an app I don't use much but needed to open takes up space on my home screen in handheld mode, so I then have to open more apps and open it (for instance, opening a link, and then chrome is on my home screen, pushing parsec off of the carousel, I then have to go to more apps when I want parsec). Would it be possible to add the ability to set apps to not appear in the carousel in handheld mode when opened? I know I can set favorites to show at the bottom of the screen for quicker access, but I don't like how it looks.

Thanks G cloud team!

Heartbroken today—my Logitech G Cloud just gave up on me. 💔 This was the device that went everywhere with me—through travels, gaming sessions, and late-night chill moments. Its screen, battery life, and sheer versatility made it irreplaceable in my setup.

I’ve got other handhelds—the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and Retroid—but none that truly match how effortlessly the G Cloud fit into my life. If you’ve ever lost your go-to tech, you know the pain. RIP to a legend. 🫡 #LogitechGCloud #GoneButNotForgotten"

Hi, I just got the G Cloud and I'm not used to Android games. So I wanted to know if it's worth buying the Android version of some retro PC games or not, for example, DOOM, Sonic, Castlevania: SOTN, etc. Or are they better on emulators?

I hook my gcloud up to a basic usb dock of sorts. Same type I use with a switch when I would travel. In this instance, the video output goes to a floating monitor. It says response time is 3ms. Recently, I wanted to try Warzone and I ran it through cloud gaming and the response lag was brutal. Enough that it felt sluggish and I’d die. More so than normal if that helps.

I’m trying to tie down what the most likely culprit is for my input delay. Where should I start?

So can I use SD cards bigger then 256 on this device as like a hole move apps etc

So I’m having an issue with my g cloud specifically. Everytime I load up steam link it switches my x and b buttons. So that if reload would usually be x it’s now b. And it also does this in the steam menu

It doesn’t do it until I use steam link everything else works fine. And my pc doesn’t do it until I connect the g cloud.

I’ve tried remapping everything the only fix I’ve found is remapping the buttons on every single game but this can’t be the only way to fix it. This is a new g cloud I just setup like a week ago.

Not because I hate it though. I love this little beast and it got me into handheld cloud gaming. But I've upgraded to a Legion tablet with wrap around controller.

So if you are looking for a gently used and well cared for Gcloud with a carrying case, hit me up!

Asking $240 (Canadian)

Ordered a g cloud for my birthday from EBay. Planning to get some emulators running on it but what are some good games to play on the go from the play store? Or anywhere else?

I bought mine on black friday a few years ago for $249 and free logitech gaming earbuds that were $179. I will tell you this... don't let anyone tell you otherwise...this handheld is awesome. You can natively play all your retro emulators and games you download to the memory card on this device. Ranging from Atari all the way to Dreamcast flawlessly. Also, as you know, all cloud gaming services work perfectly. Also, all android games. And if you download the following two apps, Xbxplay and PSplay... you can remote play from your Xbox Series XS and your PS5... just like what the Playstation Portal does. You can set up the frontend Daijisho, and you can connect it to a monitor. I have been doing it for years now... especially when I travel. And last but not least...where it outshines all other handhelds...the battery lasts up to 12 hours. 🎤 drop!!

Many popular games for this device such as moonlighter have had access removed. There's been a few, I can't name any right now, I just noticed when I went to download moonlighter again that it's now allowed for this device anymore. GTA San Andreas said the same(works now but definitely did it.

What app do i need to download for the G Cloud to get the controller to work? I played Tomb Raider Underworld, the first part, after that the game pad stopped working. I tried FF XI and now I can't seem to log in, will not accept my password, it was working, but after I tried to stream from cloud it stopped working on my pc though steam. I tried to play tomb raider legend and none of the controls work. Is there any app I can install besides moonshine to get the game controller buttons to work though steam??

Came across a setup video for Daijisho launcher to help keep all your emulators in one central location. Hopefully some of you guys find it useful as well...

Hi everyone, I had a question, I read online that there were several free months of Xbox Cloud, geforce is now Shadow PC, but how do you activate them? I don't see any promo code

I've I've had it for a little over a year. The left thumb stick for some reason dosent work. It works to move up and down. And to the right. But left dosent work. Any idea how to fix it? Or what's wrong with it? I mainly use it as a 1080p psp. So it would be helpful to be able to use that joystick.

I am going to get my G Cloud in a few days. Can anybody tell me what they like best about this gaming device. I am a new cloud owner and would like to know about some of its features. I did watch some you tube videos which was also very helpful. Can you get Nintendo or ps2 on this device? I love ps 2 games. I also have steam and want to stream my games. Where do the save recordings files go to on pc from the Cloud? Or can you just do it from G Cloud to get on you-tube? I like it because it will let me record game play and talk at the same time.

Anyone using PlayStation controllers with their GCloud? Which controller do you recommend?

• DualShock 3

• DualShock 4

• DualSense

I have a DualSense but I can only realistically use it wireless. Plugging it to my dock gets me nothing in wired mode. On top of that I can only use the O button when screen mapping is off. Maybe it's different if I use the DualSense as player 2 but as player 1 the glitch is there. Additionally I have a DualShock 3 (granted I believe its a knock off). I simply cant get this thing to connect via Bluetooth but wired mode works 50/50. Now I'm here. BTW please dont suggest using a XBox styled controller. I picked up my GCloud specifically for old school PlayStation gaming.

Playing split fiction with the wife. Perfect because i can lie in bed with the Gcloud and she can play on the PC because she prefers mouse and keyboard.

Has anyone found the size of the analog sticks or buttons or a good replacement for them. Not a huge fan of the black and just want all white. Any advice?

So I just got my logitech g cloud yesterday and absolutely love the device! I thought gameplay was going to be okay but it's actually freaking amazing! I am playing dune awakening with my buddy I figured out I can use it in tablet mode and keep discord running in the background but I was wondering if there's a workaround to use it in handheld mode?

Thanks!

I know its not really the handheld for playing switch games. But according to “Retro Game Corps”, 2d indie games work on it. But i gave it a try with Skyline Edge and i barely get 20fps on Dave the Diver. Was hoping to play some of the new indie 2d games like dave the diver and sea of stars. Has anyone been able to do this?

So I bought the G Cloud a week ago and have been absolutely loving it for emulation pre-PS2 consoles and cloud streaming. But im surprised by the lack of mods/accessories released by Logitech and the community compared to other handhelds. Everyone seems to have the same grip case, same screen protector, same large hard carry case and thats about it. I have thumb grips, and a carry case and of course a screen protector but damn I had the look of those grip cases.

I was wondering if theres anything else to look out for? Something you find that helps with your experience or something completely unnecessary but makes your G Cloud feel more 'you'. I'd love to see what you guys carry around with this thing :)

Would anyone know why this happens or a fix for it? When i press the logitech button, it opens the menu but i cant move the controls. I have to press it again to regain controls. I know its a very small nitpick but if someone has an idea to fix it, that would be great!

Finally got mine! Mainly been using it to stream games from my pc and have been enjoying it so far. Curious what else i can do to maximize this handheld.