Microsoft is seizing the opportunity created by a recent U.S. court ruling that requires Google to open up Android for third-party app stores. It is planning to update its Xbox mobile app on Android next month, enabling U.S. users to buy and play Xbox games on their mobile devices. Google will stop mandating Google Play Billing for apps in the Play Store starting November 1st, and Microsoft is eager to make the most of this new opportunity.
“The court’s ruling to open up Google’s mobile store in the US will allow more choice and flexibility,” says Xbox president Sarah Bond in a post on X. “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.”
Also, Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney has said the Epic Games Store is coming to the Google Play Store in 2025 in the U.S. “without Google’s scare screens and Google’s 30% app tax—thanks to victory in Epic v Google.”
Google, however, has announced that it will appeal the decision, arguing in a blog post that “these changes would put consumers’ privacy and security at risk, make it harder for developers to promote their apps, and reduce competition on devices.”
The company is requesting that the courts temporarily halt Epic’s proposed changes while they await the outcome of the appeal.
“Ultimately, while these changes presumably satisfy Epic, they will cause a range of unintended consequences that will harm American consumers, developers and device makers,” Google claims.