In a significant shift, ByteDance has announced that the publishing rights for Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) in the United States will be handed over to Skytone, a California-based game publisher. As part of this transition, the current version of the game is scheduled to be temporarily withdrawn from Google Play on March 27, 2025. On the same day, a new version of MLBB is set to launch.
Earlier in January, Mobile Legends was briefly removed from both the App Store and Google Play due to concerns related to national security. Fortunately, the game returned to availability in the United States within 48 hours. By transferring its publishing rights to a local entity, ByteDance aims to foster a more stable and sustainable gaming environment in the country.
New Era for Mobile Legends Bang Bang in the U.S.
On March 26, 2025, ByteDance released a formal notice regarding the operational changes for the U.S. version of MLBB.
“To ensure a stable and sustainable gaming experience, we will be transitioning MLBB’s publishing operations in the U.S. to Skystone, a trusted local game publisher. We sincerely appreciate your support and will continue optimizing the game to bring you the best experience possible.”
Additionally, the firm introduced a migration process designed for both Android and iOS players.
“Google Play: The current version will be temporarily removed on March 27, and the new version, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang US, will be available for download on the same day. Please bind your account in the current app as soon as possible, then download the new version to claim exclusive rewards.”
“iOS: We are working closely with Skystone to expedite the approval process on the App Store. Once we have updates, we will notify you promptly through in-game announcements, social media, and other official channels to ensure you don’t miss any important information.”
During the brief removal period, MLBB will not be available for download in the U.S. However, existing users will still be able to log in and engage with the game normally.
Originally launched in 2016 by Moonton, Mobile Legends has seen significant investments, with ByteDance acquiring Moonton for $4 billion in 2021. The game publisher has a history of collaborating with famous personalities and hosting numerous significant esports tournaments each year.
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