Microsoft blames Apple for delays in Xbox mobile store launch

Microsoft had big plans to launch its Xbox mobile store in July 2024. That never happened. And now, the company says Apple is why. The Xbox store launch delay came up in a new court filing where Microsoft blamed Apple’s restrictive App Store policy.

On Tuesday, Microsoft backed Epic Games in its ongoing legal fight with Apple. In a legal brief, Microsoft said Apple’s app policies stopped it from launching the Xbox mobile store.

Microsoft blames Apple’s restrictive App Store rules for the delayed Xbox mobile store launch

Microsoft said it “has been stymied by Apple”. Microsoft says that Apple’s rules made it too hard to link users to outside payment options.

The district court’s injunction allows Apple to maintain its in-app exclusivity, but at least should have enabled Microsoft to offer consumers a workable solution by launching its own online store — accessible via link-out — for in-app items to be purchased off-app and used in games or other apps. And that is what Microsoft wants to do. But even this solution has been stymied by Apple.

The company also blamed Apple’s new “anti-steering” rules for the Xbox mobile store launch delay. Those rules blocked Microsoft from telling users they could buy items outside the App Store.

Microsoft had been unable to implement linked-out payments (or even inform customers that alternative purchase methods exist) because of Apple’s new anti-steering policies that restrict Microsoft’s communication to users and impose an even higher economic cost to Microsoft than before the injunction.

Now, a court ruling may give Microsoft a way forward. But the company doesn’t want Apple to undo it. “Apple makes no argument that the technical or policy changes cannot be undone,” Microsoft argued. The company says Apple could simply reverse course if it wins the appeal.

The ruling could also unlock new options inside the Xbox app for iOS. “Similarly, Microsoft has long sought to enable Xbox app users on iOS to both buy and stream games in the app from the cloud or their other devices,” the filing states.

Microsoft recently added game purchases to its iOS Xbox app. But it had to drop remote play to follow Apple’s rules. Streaming still requires opening a browser. Plans to launch a similar feature on Android also hit delays. Sarah Bond blamed a “temporary administrative stay” after a win against Google’s app store model.