Starting in November, Xbox players in the U.S. will be able to purchase and play games directly through the Xbox mobile app on Android. This move comes after a U.S. court ruling that forces Google to open up the Play Store to third-party stores, allowing more competition and flexibility. As a result, Microsoft is quickly stepping in to take advantage of the new rules.
The ruling, which goes into effect on November 1st, blocks Google from requiring developers to use its Google Play Billing system. This decision follows a jury verdict that found Google had been illegally tying its payment system to its app store. For the next three years, Google must allow competing third-party app stores to operate within the Play Store and can no longer monopolize payments within apps.
Xbox President Sarah Bond announced the news in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The court’s ruling to open up Google’s mobile store in the US will allow more choice and flexibility. Our mission is to allow more players to play on more devices, so we are thrilled to share that starting in November, players will be able to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox App on Android.”
This update to the Xbox app will allow players to buy games directly from their Android devices and immediately stream those games via Xbox Cloud Gaming. The integration of Xbox Cloud Gaming will enable seamless access to newly purchased games, offering a streamlined experience for mobile users.
Interestingly, while other platforms like Steam and PlayStation have long allowed game purchases via their mobile apps, Microsoft had not previously enabled this option in its Xbox app. Though Microsoft hasn’t clarified why this feature wasn’t available earlier, it’s clear that the court’s decision has provided a new opportunity for them to expand.
Additionally, Microsoft is working on a browser-based Xbox mobile store, which was initially planned for release in July. The browser store will eventually focus on mobile games from Microsoft’s own studios, offering deals and in-game items. Microsoft mentioned that testing for the web-based store began in August, and progress is being made, with further updates expected in the future.
This latest development demonstrates Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to give gamers more ways to access their games, especially as the gaming industry shifts towards mobile and cloud-based solutions. As the company continues to build out its ecosystem, it’s likely that the Xbox mobile store will grow into a key part of its strategy.
