Xbox App Finally gains Full Store and Wishlist Functionality After Prolonged Delay
Microsoft has at long last delivered a fully-featured store and wishlist to the Xbox app, addressing a long-standing request from its gaming community.After a lengthy and complex progress process,beta users can now browse and add games to their wishlists directly within the app,streamlining the process of discovering and purchasing titles on the go.
The addition, announced via an alert within the Xbox Beta app, allows users to “Shop games and add-ons with the new ability to add them to your wishlist,” and utilize a search bar to find new content and connect with friends. Previously, while game downloads to consoles were possible, a comprehensive in-app store experience – and the convenience of wishlisting – was notably absent.
The feature’s arrival marks the culmination of a journey that began in May 2024, when Xbox President Sarah Bond initially announced the impending update during an interview with Bloomberg’s Dina Bass. Though, progress stalled, with a limited placeholder appearing in late July that fell short of expectations. A significant obstacle emerged in the form of restrictive policies imposed by both Apple and Android, specifically prohibiting in-app purchases for games playable via cloud streaming.
To circumvent these limitations, Xbox decoupled its cloud gaming service into a separate streaming app. Despite this workaround, a fully functional store page and wishlisting capabilities remained elusive. “We had nothing but silence untill May of this year,” one source noted, “where Microsoft laid some of the blame on Apple.”
Microsoft formally expressed its concerns in a legal brief filed in support of Epic Games during Apple’s appeal regarding the Fortnite App Store dispute. According to details reported by Tom Warren of The Verge,Microsoft argued that Apple’s policies had directly hindered the development of the Xbox Mobile Store. The brief detailed how apple’s restrictions prevented Microsoft from offering a viable solution, even through linked-out payments, and imposed additional economic burdens. As Warren reported, “The district court’s injunction allows apple to maintain its in-app exclusivity but at least should have enabled microsoft to offer consumers a workable solution…But even this solution has been stymied by apple.”
It appears this final barrier has now been overcome,at least on Android devices,with the Apple version currently under review. This development allows Xbox gamers to enjoy a feature that many believe should have been available from the outset.
XboxEra encourages readers to share their thoughts on the new store functionality in the XboxEra Forums or the XboxEra Community Discord Server. For those interested in supporting the community-funded publication, consider contributing via Patreon, where a small monthly contribution helps sustain content creation and community engagement.
Here’s a breakdown answering the “Why, Who, What, and How” questions:
* Why: The update was implemented to address a long-standing request from the Xbox gaming community for a fully-featured store and wishlist within the Xbox app, providing a more convenient way to discover and purchase games on mobile devices.
* Who: Microsoft, led by Xbox President Sarah Bond, developed and released the update.Apple’s policies initially hindered the process. XboxEra is encouraging discussion about the update.
* What: Microsoft added a fully functional store and wishlist to the Xbox app, allowing
