Unlimited gameplay without ads and in-app purchases? Apple Arcade has you covered.
Apple Arcade is a collection of curated games that can be played on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. For a few bucks a month, subscribers get unlimited access to premium titles free of ads and in-app purchases. Say goodbye to buying more gems to advance to the next level.
The service has been around for a few years now, but if you’re wondering if Apple Arcade can scratch your mobile gaming itch, here’s everything you need to know.
To sign up for Apple Arcade, open the App Store app and select the Arcade icon (it looks like a joystick). Choose Try It Free, which will give you one free month to check it out before you have to pay (you get three free months with the purchase of a new Apple device).
Apple Arcade is compatible with the Mac and Apple TV, but some games will only work on an iPhone or iPad. (Enable iCloud syncing to play games across devices.) Find games via the Arcade tab in the App Store app; the Apple TV also has a separate Arcade app.
Once you subscribe to Apple Arcade, you can download any of the 200+ games that are compatible with Arcade just as you would any other app on an Apple device. On Macs, games are downloaded to the Applications folder and are also available in Launchpad. Once games are installed, you can play even when you don’t have an internet connection, making Apple Arcade an ideal solution for traveling.
The price of Apple Arcade will depend on how you get it. If you subscribe to the service directly, it’s $4.99 per month. If you’re looking to get some extra value for your money, Apple Arcade is also included in an Apple One subscription bundle.
Apple One’s Individual plan costs $16.95 per month and includes Apple Arcade, additional iCloud storage, Apple TV+, and Apple Music. The $22.95-per-month Family plan increases the storage and allows you to share the services with five people in your Apple Family.
