Highlights
- No Man’s Sky is set to make its mobile debut on Apple devices later this month.
- Hello Games has adapted the game for mobile play while retaining support for compatible older devices.
- The release brings years of content to iOS, with some features unavailable at launch.
No Man’s Sky will launch on iPhone and iPad, expectedly on Oct 28, 2026, bringing its space exploration and survival experience to Apple’s mobile platforms. The release includes major updates accumulated over the game’s 10-year evolution, with a 3.8 GB download, touchscreen controls, and support for external input devices.
The mobile version is part of Apple’s Indie Games Week, which began Oct 12, 2026, and features seven independent games making their App Store debut. Pre-orders are available through the App Store, where players can try the opening section before paying to unlock the full game.
No Man’s Sky iOS Version Supports Older Devices
Hello Games has rebuilt the controls for touchscreens and incorporated MetalFX for graphics rendering. The game also supports controllers, while iPad users can play with a mouse and keyboard. The studio has highlighted battery life and thermal performance as part of its mobile adaptation.
Compatibility requires iOS 26.0 or iPadOS 26.0 and an A12 Bionic chip or later.
Supported devices begin with the iPhone XS and XR, alongside the iPhone 11 and newer compatible models. On iPad, compatibility includes the third-generation iPad Air and other supported models.
Hello Games co-founder, Sean Murray, stated the team was proud to make the game playable on the iPhone 11 and third-generation iPad Air instead of limiting it to the latest hardware.
Mobile Release Includes Major Game Updates
The port includes major expansions through the Cosmos update, version 7.0. Players can explore procedurally generated planets, gather resources, trade, discover lifeforms, fight pirates, and upgrade their ships and equipment.
However, multiplayer and settlements will be unavailable at launch.
Murray said the studio would support the iOS version based on player feedback and engagement, following a similar approach to the Nintendo Switch 2 release. The Switch 2 version eventually received features that were absent from the original Switch version.
No Man’s Sky Offers Free Trial
The App Store lists the full-game unlock at $19.99 USD in the United States (U.S.), with regional pricing subject to variation. A one-time purchase unlocks the complete game and its updates.
Following its Mac release in 2023, the mobile port expands access to the game without requiring a dedicated console or gaming PC. Its initial feature restrictions, however, mean mobile players will not have access to the full shared-world experience at launch.
Separately, No Man’s Sky has accumulated more than 50 awards and nominations, according to a Steam Community listing. The game won the BAFTA Games Award for Evolving Game in 2022 and 2026, as well as Best Ongoing Game at The Game Awards 2025.
By combining a decade of content with broad device compatibility, No Man’s Sky brings its expansive universe to mobile, though some features remain exclusive to other platforms.
