Microsoft has announced that starting November, its Xbox app will allow users to buy and play video games directly on their Android devices.
The update follows a recent U.S. court ruling earlier this week in Epic Games vs. Google that forces Google to stop requiring the use of Google Play Billing for app purchases in the Play Store, effective November 1, 2024. In other words, the search giant will have to open its Play Store to allow third-party app stores and alternative payment methods on Android devices for three years.
Although Google plans to appeal the court’s decision and request a delay in its implementation, Microsoft is the first company to take advantage of the ruling.
“The court’s ruling to open up Google’s mobile store in the U.S. 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,” says Xbox President Sarah Bond in a post on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.
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…
— BondSarahBond (@BondSarah_Bond) October 10, 2024
Under the new model, Android gamers will be able to purchase Xbox games directly through the Xbox app and play them immediately through Xbox’s Cloud Gaming service. Also, Microsoft can avoid the 30% commission typically charged from sales and in-app purchases by Google Play.
Microsoft has yet to provide more information about the update to the Android Xbox app. However, the Redmond giant’s move is seen as part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence and expand its gaming ecosystem on mobile platforms.
In May 2024, Microsoft announced that it would launch its own Xbox mobile game store for Android and iOS devices in July this year, which would concentrate on first-party mobile games from various Microsoft-owned gaming studios.