Xbox says it still can’t sell and run games from Android apps, Google says it doesn’t

Xbox AND Google they have apparently presented conflicting opinions on whether Xbox can sell and run games from their account Android app.

In October, a US judge issued a permanent injunction ordering Google to open a marketplace for Android competitors.

The ruling, which was due to take effect this month, means Google will not be able to block the distribution of third-party Android app stores through Google Play.

Bond promised at the time that the ruling would mean that “from November, gamers will be able to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox app on Android.”

However, in a new thread posted on Bluesky on Wednesday, Bond stated that while Xbox is ready to implement these new features, it is currently unable to do so.

Bond argues that because Google requested an emergency suspension – essentially pausing the ruling to give itself time to appeal the ruling, which says it “threatens Google Play’s ability to provide a safe and trustworthy user experience” – Xbox cannot add the promised features by then is lifted.

“At Xbox, we want to offer gamers more choice in how and where they play, including the ability to play and purchase games directly from the Xbox app,” Bond wrote in Bluesky.

“I recently shared our ambition to first unlock these features in the Google Play Store on Android devices in the US while other app stores adapt to consumer needs.

“Due to the temporary administrative stay recently granted by the courts, we are currently unable to launch these features as planned. Our team has the functionality built and ready to launch as soon as the court makes its final decision. We’re eager to release the game and give players more choice and flexibility.”

However, in the statement submitted EdgeGoogle appears to dispute Bond’s version of events, insisting there is nothing stopping Xbox from adding the promised features.

“Microsoft has always been able to offer Android users the ability to play and purchase Xbox games directly within the app – and they simply haven’t,” said Google spokesman Dan Jackson.

“The Court’s order and the rush to enforce it threaten Google Play’s ability to ensure a safe and secure user experience. Microsoft, like Epic, 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 October ruling was the most significant event to date Epic games‘ long-running antitrust lawsuit against Google.

Before filing the appeal, the ruling stated that from November 1, for a period of three years in the US, Google will:

• They won’t be able to pay developers to run apps first or exclusively through the Play Store.
• Manufacturers and operators must not offer incentives to pre-install Google Play (or not pre-install competitive stores) on new devices.
• You won’t be able to force app developers to use Google Play Payments.
• you can’t ask a developer to set a price based on whether you use Google Play.
• will not be able to restrict developers from showing users external payment options outside the Play Store.

Xbox has been talking to the head of the gaming department for some time about launching a mobile app store Phil Spencer stating that last year Microsoft was already preparing for this date where it would be legally possible.