Microsoft is continuing to make significant strides in the mobile gaming market with its latest announcement: plans to begin selling games directly through its Xbox App on Android devices later this year. This bold move comes on the heels of a recent U.S. court decision that opens up Google’s mobile store, providing new opportunities for app-based game sales.
Xbox president Sarah Bond took to X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn to share the news. She wrote, “The court’s ruling to open up Google´s mobile store in the U.S. will allow more choice and flexibility. 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.”
Although no specific titles have been revealed yet, Microsoft confirmed that game sales will commence in November. This development aligns with Microsoft’s strategy to offer players more ways to access its gaming ecosystem, a move that could have a significant impact on how mobile users engage with Xbox’s library of games.
What remains unclear is whether this initiative is tied to Microsoft’s larger ambition of launching its own dedicated mobile app store. Originally slated for release this summer, the Xbox mobile marketplace was expected to host first-party games such as Candy Crush and Minecraft.
Though delayed, this new Android sales channel could be a precursor to that broader vision, enabling Microsoft to establish a strong foothold in mobile game distribution.
This expansion into Android gaming marks another major step in Microsoft’s ongoing mission to bridge the gap between traditional console gaming and the mobile platform, setting the stage for more players to access Xbox content on the go.