The popular Xbox feature is returning

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Key points

  • The Xbox app on Android will allow game purchases again due to the court ruling.
  • Xbox fans are excited about more flexibility; some concerns about phasing out consoles.
  • Apple users may feel left out as the iOS version lacks in-app purchase functionality.



The ability to purchase and play games on Xbox the app on Android will return. The popular feature has been missed by many fans of the Xbox family of consoles who use Android mobile devices.

This change comes on the heels of a California jury's decision against Google, ruling that the company has an illegal monopoly through the Android Play Store. As a result of this verdict, Google cannot ban in-app payment methods for at least three years and must allow access to third-party Android app stores.

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On Twitter, Xbox president Sarah Bond announced the upcoming features. In a brief statement, the president explained that the recent court ruling regarding Google's Play Store allows for “more choice and flexibility” and that, as a result, Xbox will offer Android users the opportunity to purchase and play games directly through the Xbox apps. on their phones. Players will also be able to redeem codes via the app. These features will arrive in November, although Bond didn't specify the exact date they would be made available.



Xbox fans react to app news

Xbox fans mostly seem to be happy to hear the news, especially those of the Android app. However, there are still some complaints from some Xbox users. Some have complained that this appears to be another step in the perceived direction of Xbox killing its own consoles in favor of allowing users to stream or use other devices entirely to play its games. Some also took the opportunity to criticize Xbox for shutting down developers like Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin.


Others have complained that these features aren't even available on the iOS versions of the Xbox app and there's no information about this change, so Apple fans feel left out. However, judging by the tweet, these changes are likely coming now because Xbox will be able to sell games to users with in-app purchases, instead of routing them through Google Play billing and then giving away a portion of the profit. Apple hasn't changed in this regard, so Xbox would have to raise prices on the platform or suffer losses on every game sold through the app to Apple users.

For now, Android users will have to wait and see when exactly this update will arrive. More information will likely arrive from Xbox in the coming weeks.

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