Apple’s Store strict policies is holding back from xCloud’s launch on IOS devices. Microsoft ended its xCloud game streaming test for IOS devices today. Microsoft had been testing xCloud on IOS for the past few months but made it clear that xCloud will be launching only for Android on 15th September. The free preview will end on September 11th, but only Android preview will continue until next month.
Microsoft have been trying hard to meet the policies of Apple in order to launch xCloud on IOS but seem to have hit some obstacles. Microsoft limited it’s test on IOS to just Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Its unclear about which Apple policies are preventing xCloud from launching on IOS and Google’s Stadia game streaming service is also not available on IOS devices. Apple’s strict policies have prevented many apps from getting approved, even Valve’s Steam Link app took nearly a year for Apple to approve.
Microsoft does not plan on including in-app purchases with the Googlr Play Store version of Xbox game pass that will include game streaming xCloud service. Instead, the company is partnering with Samsung to offer a special version of the Xbox Game Pass app that will allow Xbox players to redeem tokens and make in-app purchases like buying skins or DLC items in the Xbox store.
Microsoft’s plan of launching xCloud for IOS looks potentially out of hands and seems like there’s nothing the company can do about it unless Apple’s strict policies are taken down a notch.