No Man’s Sky on iPhone and iPad is officially happening on 28 October, with Hello Games promising the full game rather than a watered-down mobile version, a free-to-try opening, and a one-time $19.99 unlock for everything else. Pre-orders are already live on the App Store.
That’s ten years of updates, from Foundation all the way up to COSMOS, crammed into a device that also has to survive your group chat, so is No Man’s Sky on iPhone actually a good deal, or a battery-melting novelty? Let’s find out!
What Do You Actually Get for $19.99?
According to Hello Games’ announcement via Gematsu, you can play the beginning for free, and a single purchase unlocks the full game, including all ten years of updates. Here’s the rundown:
- Release date: 28 October 2026, with pre-orders open now
- Price: free to try, then $19.99 to unlock the full game
- Requirements: iOS or iPadOS 26 or later, and an A12 Bionic chip or newer
- Install size: around 3.8GB according to Mobilegamer, with Hello Games saying it’s under 5GB
- Controls: brand new touch controls, plus controller support, mouse and keyboard on iPad, and casting to a TV
- Content: every major update up to COSMOS (7.0), including the Voyagers big-rig starships and space station management
For context, $19.99 is a lot less than the game’s usual full price on console and PC, which makes this one of the cheapest ways into No Man’s Sky outside of a big sale!
So What’s Missing?
Two big things, multiplayer and planetary settlements. AppleInsider notes that this matches the Switch version, so you’re getting the solo experience only, which is a bit of a shame given how much of the game’s modern charm comes from bumping into other players.
There’s also no mention of cross-save anywhere, so don’t assume you can pick up your PS5 save on the bus, at least not at launch. Hello Games says it’ll keep supporting the iOS version based on player feedback and numbers, much like it did on Switch, so things could change down the line.
Quick NoteHello Games’ Sean Murray says the iOS version “isn’t a cut-down edition of the game,” per Mobilegamer, but with multiplayer and settlements missing it’s not quite identical either.
Will It Actually Run on Your iPhone?
The A12 Bionic floor sounds generous, but iOS 26 itself needs an iPhone 11 or newer, so in practice that’s your starting point on phones, while older A12 iPads should squeeze in. Supported and running well are two very different things though, and I’d expect an older device to handle a whole procedurally generated galaxy like a very shiny potato.
The game uses MetalFX upscaling and is built to take advantage of Apple’s M-series chips, so a recent iPad Pro or iPad Air is probably the sweet spot. Battery life is the other big question, because No Man’s Sky is not a light game, and Murray himself has talked before about mobile forcing developers to think about battery life, so keep a charger handy!
Quick TipUse the free opening as a performance test before you pay. If it runs badly on your phone on the starting planet, it’s not going to get any better once you’re dogfighting pirates in space.
Should You Buy No Man’s Sky on iPhone?
If you’ve never played No Man’s Sky and you’ve got a recent iPhone or iPad, this is an easy recommendation, because the free opening lets you try before you buy and $19.99 for the whole game is good value. If you already own it on console or PC, it’s harder to justify, since there’s no multiplayer, no settlements and no confirmed cross-save. [ADD PERSONAL NOTE]
Mac owners have had the game for a while now, and if you’re curious what else runs nicely on Apple silicon, our list of the best Mac games on Steam has you covered, no potatoes involved!
FAQ
When does No Man’s Sky come out on iPhone?
No Man’s Sky launches on iPhone and iPad on 28 October 2026, and pre-orders are already open on the App Store.
How much does No Man’s Sky on iPhone cost?
It’s free to try, with a one-time $19.99 purchase unlocking the full game and all ten years of updates.
Does No Man’s Sky on iPhone have multiplayer?
No, multiplayer and planetary settlements aren’t included at launch, matching the Switch version.
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