Microsoft has decided to stop the testing phase on the xCloud streaming service on iOS devices. While it’s known that Microsoft will launch the streaming service only on Android, the company has pushed some tests on the iOS devices over the last months.
In a statement to The Verge, Microsoft has discovered the following:
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. It’s our ambition to scale cloud gaming through Xbox Game Pass available on all devices.
However, The Verge has also discovered that this may be an issue caused by some obstacles in Apple’s Store Policies. No official reveal of the policies preventing the xCloud from launching on iOS has been discovered. Amusing enough, Google’s Stadia game streaming service is also prevented from launching on iOS.
Fair enough, Apple is very demanding and has strict limits on “remote desktop clients.” Apps that are having such demand are less likely to be included in the App Store. Therefore, Microsoft will need to alter the code and rework the xCloud streaming service before thinking about launching on iOS.
Microsoft’s xCloud service is due to launch on September 15th. It will be a part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
