Xbox announced in October 2024 that it planned to let players buy and play Xbox games directly in its Android app starting in November. That was an announcement of intent, not confirmation that the feature was already live. In April 2025, Android Central reported that purchase features were being introduced in the Xbox mobile app. The legal backdrop has since moved on: Google describes a US policy change and a proposed 2026 settlement, but the sources available do not establish that the revised US injunction was finally entered.
What Xbox announced in October 2024
On October 11, 2024, Xbox president Sarah Bond said the company intended to let players purchase and play Xbox games directly from the Xbox app on Android beginning in November. Bond framed the change as enabled by the court’s decision to open Google’s mobile store in the US. The announcement did not identify eligible games or establish that the feature was live at that point. TechCrunch’s report of Bond’s announcement quoted her saying: “The court’s ruling to open up Google’s mobile store in the US will allow more choice and flexibility.”
The timing followed Judge James Donato’s October 7, 2024 final ruling in Epic Games v. Google. TechCrunch reported that changes to Google Play’s operations were scheduled to begin November 1 and remain in effect for three years. That was a contemporaneous account of the order, not the full current procedural history.
What the Xbox app reportedly added in 2025
On April 17, 2025, Android Central reported that purchase support was being introduced in the Xbox mobile app on Android and iOS. Its account described purchases of games and add-ons, Game Pass subscriptions, and Perks, as well as the ability to remotely install purchases to an Xbox console. Android Central said users with a saved payment method could complete a purchase in two taps. Those are reported product details, not independently verified availability for every user or region. Read Android Central’s report.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
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Remote Play is a separate feature
Android Central also reported that Remote Play would be removed from the Android app while remaining accessible through Xbox’s mobile web client. Remote Play streams games from a console; it is distinct from buying a game or remotely installing a purchase. The report’s account of purchase support should not be read as saying that game streaming was part of the same change.
What Google’s policy says now
Google’s current US policy page says Google Play Billing will not be required for apps distributed through the Play Store to mobile and tablet users in the United States, and that alternative in-app payment methods will not be prohibited for those covered apps. Google also says the Ninth Circuit upheld changes to Android and Google Play on September 12, 2025. These are Google’s descriptions of its policy and the case; they do not mean every app, payment method, or country has identical terms. Google’s policy page also describes programs, fees, and dates associated with its later policy changes.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
The distinction matters: a change in which payment methods Google permits is not proof that all Google fees disappeared, nor does it by itself establish that Xbox purchases are available everywhere. The sources cited here do not specify the full set of eligible Xbox games, supported regions, or current end-to-end availability.
Where the Epic-Google case stands in 2026
On March 4, 2026, Epic announced that it had reached a settlement with Google and that the parties had asked the US District Court to finalize a revised arrangement. Epic said Android app-store competition was open outside the US while the parties sought to finalize the arrangement in the US. Epic’s announcement describes its view of the settlement.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Google’s policy page also describes the March 2026 settlement request. The consulted sources establish that the parties requested a revised US arrangement, not that the court had finally entered the revised injunction by October 4, 2026. A proposed settlement and a court-entered final order are different procedural stages.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why Microsoft and Google described the issue differently
In the April 2025 Android Central report, Dan Jackson, head of policy communications for Android and Google Play, disputed Microsoft’s account that Android users had previously lacked the ability to buy Xbox games in the app. Jackson said Microsoft “has always been able to offer their Android users the ability to play and purchase Xbox games directly from their app – they’ve simply chosen not to.” Bond’s 2024 announcement and Jackson’s response reflect different accounts of what had been possible before the reported rollout; the cited reporting does not resolve that disagreement.
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