Following a permanent injunction in October that forced Google to allow third-party app stores on Android devices, Microsoft quickly revealed plans to launch an Xbox Store on the platform . This allows Microsoft to offer Xbox games for purchase in a dedicated Android app, allowing users to play them directly without having to go through the Google Play Store.
According to the original plan announced by Xbox President Sarah Bond, the Xbox Store would launch in November. Today, Bond took to social media platform Bluesky to explain why it hasn’t been released yet, saying, “Due to the recent temporary administrative stay granted by the court, we are currently unable to roll out these features as planned.”
She appears to be talking about the temporary moratorium decision issued on October 19 by California Judge James Donato. This judge is also the one who previously ruled that Google should open its ecosystem to competitors, calling it an illegal monopoly.
Sarah Bond’s full statement follows:
At Xbox, we want to give players more choices about how and where they play, including the ability to play and purchase games directly from the Xbox app. I recently shared our ambition to unlock these features on Android devices in the US first with the Google Play Store while other app stores adapt to meet consumer demand.
Due to the recent temporary administrative stay granted by the court, we are currently unable to roll out these features as planned. Our team is ready to build the feature and launch it as soon as the court makes a final decision.
We’re working hard to give players more choice and flexibility.
But Google seems to have other thoughts about this launch disaster. In a statement to The Verge, the company said Microsoft had “simply” decided not to release the game on Android. Of course, Microsoft would have had to go through the Google Play Store and comply with the 30% commission.
The company also accused Xbox and the Epic Games store of threatening the safety and security of Google Play.
Here’s the full statement from Google spokesperson Dan Jackson:
Microsoft has always been able to give Android users the ability to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the app. They simply chose not to. The court’s order and the rush to enforce it threaten Google Play’s ability to provide a safe and secure environment. Like Epic, Microsoft is ignoring these very real security concerns. We remain focused on supporting an ecosystem that works for everyone, not just the two largest gaming companies.
The Epic Games Store recently launched on Android devices, but installing apps and games requires many hurdles to overcome. Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney has some thoughts to share on Google’s social media.
Due to the delay, it’s unclear when Microsoft will be able to launch the Xbox Store on Android devices. No new release window was provided.
