No Man’s Sky lands on iPhone and iPad October 28
Hello Games will bring No Man’s Sky to iPhone and iPad on October 28, extending the decade-old space exploration game to Apple’s mobile devices. The iOS release will include the game’s accumulated updates, but not every feature will be available.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
A full-scale No Man’s Sky on iOS
Hello Games is bringing No Man’s Sky to the iPhone and iPad on October 28, giving Apple device owners access to the long-running science-fiction exploration and survival game. The announcement comes just over 10 years after the game’s original release and follows years of updates that significantly expanded its content and systems. Further details are available from The Verge in the original source material.
Hello Games says the mobile edition is not a reduced version of the game. It will include the content and systems updates released over the years, including the gigantic Voyagers expansion from last year. The iOS version will therefore arrive with the broader No Man’s Sky experience rather than the feature set from its initial launch.
Supported devices and file size
The game will be playable on the iPhone 11 and newer models, as well as the third-generation iPad Air and newer. The download is expected to be under 5GB, despite the game’s vast collection of explorable planets. Ars Technica notes that the planets are generated on the device as players progress rather than being stored as individual assets in the installation.
The mobile release is also the result of a three-year development effort by Hello Games. Its arrival follows a broader expansion of No Man’s Sky across platforms, including the company’s earlier work bringing the game to Nintendo hardware. Sean Murray compared the planned iOS support approach to when the game initially launched on the original Switch, where the studio continued responding to player feedback and engagement.
Features adapted for phones and tablets
Hello Games has designed new touch controls for the iPhone and iPad versions. Both device types will support game controllers, while the iPhone version will also support casting to a television. On iPad, players will additionally be able to use a mouse and keyboard.
The studio says it has also focused on battery life and thermodynamics, aiming to make extended play sessions more comfortable on mobile hardware. The game’s menu-heavy structure and exploration systems will be adapted to touch input, while controller support provides an alternative for players who prefer a console-style setup.
Some compromises remain
The iOS version will not support multiplayer on any device. The available reporting also describes planetary settlement features as restricted rather than broadly available: Ars Technica says building and exploring player-made settlements is limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and later, while The Verge identifies planetary settlements among the major features not generally included in the mobile version.
Hello Games says it will assess player feedback and participation on iOS when deciding how to support the platform. That leaves open the possibility that future content updates could depend on the size of the iOS audience, although the studio has not announced a change to its current update plans.
A decade of continued updates
No Man’s Sky has changed substantially since its debut, with Hello Games continuing to release free expansions and updates. The game’s supported platforms now include Mac, PC, and modern consoles, alongside a VR version. Its ongoing development has helped maintain the game’s relevance well beyond its initial release.
The iOS launch follows including the recent Cosmos update in September, which added more things to explore across the game’s space setting. The new mobile edition will give players access to that accumulated content while preserving the game’s central focus on discovery, resource gathering, survival, and travel.
Free trial and purchase price
No Man’s Sky will be free to try when it launches on October 28. Ars Technica reports that the full version will cost $19.99 after the trial, providing a single purchase option for players who want to continue.
The release is part of Apple’s indie games week, though No Man’s Sky will arrive later than several other titles included in the promotion. With its launch date, device requirements, controller support, and relatively small download established, the iOS edition will bring Hello Games’ evolving space adventure to a new audience without offering every feature available on other platforms.
Sources
- The VergeNo Man’s Sky is coming to the iPhone and iPad
- Ars TechnicaAfter a 10-year redemption arc, No Man's Sky is coming to the iPhone and iPad
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