Microsoft is blaming Apple for the delay of its Xbox mobile store launch. The report comes from The Verge, which found out that the Windows and Xbox company filed an amicus brief supporting Epic Games’ fight against Apple.

While the most recent ruling cracked the door wide open for the Epic Games Store and for the Xbox mobile store on iOS, Microsoft is wary of Apple’s inevitable appeal and, as such, has filed a detailed argument in favor of the current ruling. Here’s an excerpt from the filing:

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 by launching its own online store — accessible via link-out — for in-app items to be purchased off-app and used in games or other apps. And that is what Microsoft wants to do. But even this solution has been stymied by Apple. Prior to the district court’s most recent order, Microsoft had been unable to implement linked-out payments (or even inform customers that alternative purchase methods exist) because of Apple’s new anti-steering policies that restrict Microsoft’s communication to users and impose an even higher economic cost to Microsoft than before the injunction.

Similarly, Microsoft has long sought to enable Xbox app users on iOS to both buy and stream games in the app from the cloud or their other devices. Apple’s policies have restricted Microsoft’s ability to offer these functionalities together; the injunction allows Microsoft to explore this possibility. Microsoft’s own experience managing app stores confirms that Apple’s policies could be restored if Apple ultimately prevails on appeal.

The Xbox mobile store was originally supposed to launch in July 2024. When we last heard about the topic in late November, Xbox president Sarah Bond blamed Google for trying to block it from launching on its Android ecosystem.