Microsoft Confirms They Stopped Project xCloud Testing On iOS Due To Apple Policies

Recently, Microsoft confirmed that Xbox Game Pass would be coming to mobile devices via Project xCloud but only to Android devices. Many were confused about why the service was not being offered through Apple devices and recently Microsoft spoke about that.

When talking to The Verge:

“Our Project xCloud preview TestFlight period has ended on iOS and we are focused on delivering cloud gaming as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to Android customers beginning September 15,” says a Microsoft spokesperson in a statement to The Verge. “It’s our ambition to scale cloud gaming through Xbox Game Pass available on all devices.”

Microsoft limited the testing period to just 10,000 users and only had Halo: The Master Chief Collection available to them. However, due to Apple's policies xCloud will not coming to Apple devices. The article noted that other apps such as Valve's Steam Link took a year to get approved by Apple and Google's Stadia app is just a management tool that does not stream games.

The future of xCloud on iOS remains unclear and potentially out of Microsoft’s hands. The issues appear to be related, in part at least, to Apple’s rules on in-app purchases through its App Store. Apple also has strict limits on “remote desktop clients” that mean apps are only allowed to connect to a user-owned host device or game console owned by the user. Both the host device and client must be connected on a local network, too. While Microsoft could potentially work around the in-app purchase App Store policies, the remote desktop client rules are likely the bigger hurdle.

It's likely the service will eventually come to Apple devices once these demands are met.

Xbox Game Pass will launch on September 15th for Android devices.

Adam Siddiqui,
Managing Editor, NoobFeed
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