Microsoft has announced that it is unable to launch its Xbox mobile store on Android, as planned, due to a temporary court order stay. The company had intended to allow Android users to bypass Google’s Play Store to directly buy and play games via the Xbox app. However, a U.S. court recently granted a stay on the order that would have forced Google to overhaul the Play Store to allow more competition and the introduction of alternative app stores.
Xbox Mobile Store on Android Delayed
In a statement on Bluesky, Xbox president Sarah Bond shared that Microsoft had fully developed the functionality for Android users to buy and play games directly from the Xbox app. However, due to the court's temporary administrative stay, the company could not launch this feature as planned in November. Bond expressed that the team was ready to go live with the features once the court made a final decision.
Bond highlighted that Microsoft’s goal was to offer more choice to players regarding where and how they play games, particularly by allowing them to use the Xbox app on Android to access games directly, bypassing the Play Store. Microsoft had hoped to roll this out in the U.S. first, but the court's ruling has temporarily paused those plans.
Google’s Stance on the Issue
In response, a Google spokesperson stated that Microsoft could offer users the ability to buy and play games from the Xbox app, but Microsoft had opted not to implement the feature. The spokesperson emphasized concerns regarding security, claiming that the court’s order could jeopardize Google Play's ability to provide a secure environment for users.
Court Ruling and the Bigger Antitrust Landscape
This development stems from a U.S. court order in October 2024, which mandated that Google open up its Play Store to allow Android users to download apps from alternative marketplaces. The ruling was part of an ongoing antitrust case, where Epic Games and others have challenged the fees and restrictions imposed by Google and Apple on their respective app stores. Microsoft’s plans for a new Xbox store were in line with this ruling, aiming to give users more freedom and flexibility.
However, Google sought a temporary stay on the court order, arguing that the changes could introduce significant security and privacy risks. As a result, the implementation of the Play Store overhaul has been delayed, impacting Microsoft's plans.
Looking Ahead
Microsoft’s ultimate aim is to offer more options to players and developers, not just with its own Xbox store, but by collaborating with other partners. In March 2023, Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, confirmed the company’s plan to launch an app store for Xbox games and third-party content on both Android and iOS platforms. The Xbox mobile store, initially expected to go live by March 2024, might now face delays, with Epic Games also eyeing a 2025 release of its store on Google Play.
