A popular Xbox feature is back

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Key things

  • The Xbox app for Android will allow game purchases again, following a court order.
  • Xbox fans are looking forward to more flexibility; some concerns about console retirements.
  • Apple users may feel left out as the iOS version lacks an in-app purchase feature.



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

The change comes as a result of a California jury ruling against Google, saying the company has an illegal monopoly over the Android Play store. As a result of this verdict, Google cannot disable in-app payment methods for at least three years and must allow access to third-party Android app stores.

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Xbox president Sarah Bond announced the upcoming features on Twitter. In a brief statement, the president explained that the recent court ruling regarding the Google Play Store allows for “greater choice and flexibility” and that as a result, Xbox will offer Android users the ability to purchase and play games directly through the Xbox app. on their phones. Players will also be able to redeem codes through the app. These features will arrive sometime in November, although Bond did not specify an exact date when they will be available.



Xbox fans react to news of the app

Xbox fans seem to be delighted to hear the news, especially the ones in the Android app. However, there are some complaints from some Xbox users. Some have lamented that it appears to be another step in the perceived direction of Xbox killing off its own consoles in favor of allowing users to stream or use other devices entirely to play their games. Some also took the opportunity to take shots at Xbox as they shut down developers like Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin.


Others have also complained that these features aren't even available in the iOS versions of the Xbox app, and there's no word on that changing, leaving Apple fans feeling left out. However, judging by the tweet, it's likely that these changes are coming now because Xbox will be able to sell games to users with in-app purchases, rather than routing them through Google Play Billing and thus giving up a portion of the profit. Apple hasn't changed in this regard, so Xbox would either have to raise prices on the platform or see 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 arrives. More information is likely to follow from Xbox in the coming weeks.

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