Xbox Mobile App Store idea is still “not dead”, confirms CEO amid uncertainty

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Story Highlights

  • Xbox CEO says mobile app store idea is still “not dead”.
  • The update follows concerns after test links stopped working.
  • Microsoft continues to support open competition in mobile gaming.

It’s been a while since people have been talking about the possibility of the Xbox Mobile App Store being canceled. Updates about its development had slowed down, and it seemed unlikely to launch. But now, we have an official update.

I was really relieved to hear from Asha Sharma, the head of Xbox, about the mobile store! There’s been a lot of talk online about it being cancelled, and someone even said she’d ‘killed’ it. But she responded on X and basically said it’s not completely off the table, which is great news for anyone hoping to see Xbox games on their phone!

We submitted a brief three weeks ago to emphasize the importance of competition in mobile gaming and our vision for a more open gaming ecosystem. Although I’m still getting up to speed, the possibility of an Xbox mobile app store hasn’t been ruled out.

— Asha (@asha_shar) April 22, 2026

In her response, Sharma noted that Microsoft recently submitted a legal brief arguing that competition in the mobile gaming market is important and that gaming should be more accessible. While she didn’t share any details about when or how this might happen, she did confirm that the project is still underway.

The Xbox Mobile Store has been in discussion for over two years

Users noticed the Xbox Mobile Store appeared to be shut down when test links and pages stopped working. This concern is understandable, as the project has faced several delays and setbacks over the past two years.

A couple of years ago, Microsoft announced plans for an Xbox mobile store. Phil Spencer, then head of Microsoft Gaming, said the store would prioritize players and offer better financial terms for developers, with a planned launch around July. However, that launch never took place.

After that, progress slowed down, with the team citing more research and difficulties in the market as the reasons. A small update came in late 2025 when Xbox added a dedicated store area to its mobile app. This allowed users to browse and save games they were interested in, which was a positive move, though it wasn’t a complete store experience.

Despite some progress, the biggest challenge remains the control that Google Play and Apple’s App Store have over the app market. They still make it hard for other app stores to compete, even as regulators push for more openness. Just this month, Aptoide sued Google, alleging the Play Store holds a monopoly – and this kind of issue is a major reason why alternative app stores haven’t gained much traction.

Currently, the Xbox mobile store isn’t available and there’s no set date for its release. However, Microsoft hasn’t cancelled the project, so the idea is still being considered. While we won’t see it launch immediately, it’s good to know it hasn’t been abandoned.

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2026-04-23 20:11