A significant new addition to Apple’s software program lineup at WWDC25, the Video games app, centralizes gaming experiences throughout all Apple gadgets, the iPhone large stated Monday. And it provides highly effective social options that flip even single-player video games into shared experiences with buddies.
“The Video games app goes to be a sport changer for enjoying on iPhone, iPad and Mac,” stated Tim Garbos, artistic director and cofounder of sport model Triband. “The app makes it straightforward for us to create moments only for teams of buddies. The brand new challenges function works nice and feels pure for our video games on Apple Arcade, together with our newest launch, What the Conflict?, and we’ve been having a number of enjoyable with it!”
Apple Video games app announcement: Centralizing play throughout gadgets, plus social parts
Apple launched the brand new Video games app through the WWDC25 keynote within the context of iOS 26. However the app will work throughout iOS 26, iPad OS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26, protecting your most important Apple gadgets. The brand new app represents Apple’s most important gaming initiative in years, making a unified hub the place customers can entry all their downloaded video games from iPhone and iPad, plus Mac titles, in a single handy location, Apple stated.
However past easy group, the Video games app introduces options that might basically change how folks play and join by way of gaming on Apple platforms.
Social gaming takes heart stage
Photograph: Apple
The headlining Video games app function is its social integration. It permits gamers to see what buddies are taking part in, examine achievements and simply leap into multiplayer periods collectively. Customers can view their full gaming historical past with buddies, ship invite hyperlinks by way of any messaging platform and use social gathering codes to rapidly arrange gaming periods.
“As my buddies have grown up and moved away, I miss listening to about what they’re taking part in on their telephones, and the Video games app is a good way I can get a window again into their gaming worlds,” stated Zach Gage, indie developer and cofounder of Puzzmo, highlighting how the app addresses the problem of staying linked by way of gaming as folks’s lives change.
Challenges carry competitors to any sport
Photograph: Apple
Maybe essentially the most progressive addition is the challenges function, which transforms single-player experiences into aggressive multiplayer occasions. Any sport with Sport Middle leaderboards can now assist these friend-focused competitions — whether or not gamers are competing to outlive essentially the most enemy waves in Thronefall or obtain the very best rating on weekly programs in Skate Metropolis: New York.
Builders are embracing these potentialities, Apple stated, quoting a number of of them in press supplies.
“The introduction of challenges and a brand new social layer marks a serious leap ahead for each builders and gamers,” stated Glib Platonov, cofounder of Doghowl Video games. “Whereas creators keep targeted on gameplay, these options carry folks collectively in just some faucets.”
Enhanced sport discovery and Apple Arcade integration
Photograph: Apple
The Video games app additionally serves as an improved discovery platform, providing personalised suggestions based mostly on customers’ gaming historical past, buddies’ actions and video games supporting Sport Middle options. Editorial collections will spotlight thrilling titles like Balatro, Crashlands 2 and DREDGE.
For Apple Arcade subscribers, the app turns into the first gateway to the service’s 200+ video games, with curated collections designed to assist customers maximize their subscription worth. Common titles like Hi there Kitty Island Journey, Sneaky Sasquatch and Mini Motorways will likely be prominently featured.
Maintaining gamers knowledgeable
The app introduces new instruments for builders to speak with gamers about updates and occasions. Sport pages will dynamically show related data like dwell occasions, updates and pal exercise. That helps guarantee gamers by no means miss vital gaming moments.
The Video games app helps controller navigation and launches instantly into video games. So avid gamers get a console-like expertise on Apple gadgets.
App testing started Monday by way of the Apple Developer Program. A public beta launches subsequent month. And full launch is scheduled for fall 2025 alongside iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26.
Supply: Apple
