A court order has delayed Xbox's initiative to offer games through an Android app.

Microsoft's initiative to allow Android users to purchase and play Xbox console games through the app has been postponed. This delay is seemingly linked to a legal battle between Google and Epic Games.

Sarah Bond, president of Xbox, explained on BlueSky that they are unable to introduce this feature "because of a temporary administrative stay granted by the courts."

Bond had previously mentioned that games would be purchasable via the Xbox app in November, focusing initially on Android devices in the United States.

"Our team is prepared to deploy the functionality once the court delivers its final judgment," she stated. "We are ready to offer players more options and ease."

The hold appears to be a consequence of the Epic Games versus Google litigation, in which Epic Games secured a favorable verdict in a jury trial last year.

Following Epic's victory, a judge ruled that Google must allow rival marketplaces on its platform and waive the requirement for developers to use Google Play Billing for transactions, which cost developers 30% in fees.

The changes were meant to take effect on November 1, but Google's appeal seems to have delayed implementation.

In response to a report by The Verge concerning Microsoft's delay, Google spokesperson Dan Jackson asserted, "Microsoft has always had the option for their Android users to play and buy Xbox games directly through their app – their decision was not to do so.

"The immediate implementation of the court's order risks compromising the secure user experience of Google Play. Microsoft and Epic seem to disregard these crucial security matters. We are dedicated to sustaining an ecosystem beneficial to everyone, not only to two major gaming companies."

Microsoft continues to seek mobile expansion opportunities. They have introduced a beta service that allows Xbox owners to stream their games across smartphones, tablets, PCs, and Smart TVs.

Furthermore, they are developing a special mobile store, originally scheduled for this summer, which has now been postponed indefinitely to perform more extensive market analysis.