Apple Arcade free trial available to new subscribers only. £6.99/month after trial. Plan automatically renews until cancelled. Terms apply.

What is Apple Arcade?

If you’re one of the iPhone users wondering what is Apple Arcade, you can find out all about the gaming service in our one-stop guide.

Custom image for what is Apple arcade guide with a silhouette shrugging under the Apple Arcade logo

What is Apple Arcade? That's what we're here to explain, as while Apple's gaming subscription service has been around for a little while now, a lot of iPhone users still don't know exactly what it is or how it works. If that includes you, don't worry; just keep reading, and we'll give you the full lowdown on Apple Arcade and whether it might be worth checking out.

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What is Apple Arcade?

Apple Arcade is a gaming service that provides you with access to a massive library of games for a monthly fee. It's not a streaming service either, which means you can download and play any of the available games you want without worrying about signal or service.

It's available on both iPhone and iPad and if you're using iCloud for saved data, you can play the same save files across multiple devices. This is especially useful for games like FM Touch, as you can continue developing your soccer team wherever you are, but it also just means you don't have to start a new game when moving from device to device.

Considering some of our reviews of Apple Arcade games – just see the strong scores on our Monument Valley 2 review and Gibbon: Beyond the Trees review – it's definitely worth trying out for any avid mobile gamers. Even if you've tried it before, new games arrive every month, so there might be something fresh for you to play on returning.

How much is Apple Arcade?

The price of an Apple Arcade subscription depends on where you are in the world and the local currency. We've laid out the pricing structure below, so you don't have to go to the App Store to find out for yourself. It's also worth making the point that Apple Arcade is part of the Apple One subscription service, so you might already have access to this library of games without knowing it.

  • U.S.A. – $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually
  • Europe – €6.99 monthly or €69.99 annually
  • United Kingdom – £6.99 monthly or £69.99 annually

Screenshot of the device options for Apple Arcade for what is Apple Arcade guide

How do I download Apple Arcade?

You don't have to download Apple Arcade; it resides within the App Store. Still, it's easy to miss if you don't know where you're looking, so we've laid out the steps to find all the Apple Arcade games below.

  1. Open the App Store
  2. Select Arcade (the fourth option)
  3. Scroll the games library!

What games are on Apple Arcade?

With the service adding new titles every month, there are plenty of exciting titles available to play on Apple Arcade. Across the Pocket Tactics team, we've all got our personal favorite Apple Arcade games, ranging from indie smash-hit card game Balatro to cozy life sim Hello Kitty Island Adventure, so you can be sure that you'll find something to suit your tastes no matter what sort of games you like to play.

Is Apple Arcade worth it?

Whether Apple Arcade is worth it or not depends entirely on how many games you play and whether the library has anything of interest to you. In all honesty, if you're big into FPS games or MMOs, there isn't much for you here. However, if you enjoy engaging solo experiences, there's a lot to dig into, with plenty of puzzle games, adventure games, and even some good old-fashioned card games.

If you're looking to play a bunch of great games that range from perplexing puzzlers to out-and-out action titles, Apple Arcade is easily worth the $6.99 a month. However, if you only occasionally dabble in mobile gaming or you're not a fan of any of the titles the service has to offer, you're better off with our list of the best free mobile games.

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What happens if I cancel my Apple Arcade subscription?

After canceling your Apple Arcade subscription, you no longer have access to the games you downloaded as a subscriber. However, the games don't automatically delete themselves, so if you sign up for Apple Arcade again in the future, all your saved data will be waiting for you, so you don't have to start all over again in games such as Balatro or Hello Kitty Island Adventure.

Can I get a free trial of Apple Arcade?

If you've never used Apple Arcade before, you're entitled to a free one-month trial of the subscription service, giving you access to all the games in the massive library. However, if you're a returning user, you'll have to cough up the monthly subscription to play games such as Wylde Flowers and Dead Cells.

There you have it, our answer to the question "what is Apple Arcade?". If you can't currently afford the service, it doesn't mean you have to stop playing; just check out our picks for the best free mobile games. Or, if you're looking for some mobile game freebies, check out our Coin Master free spins and free Monopoly Go dice guides.