With iOS 26, Apple has unveiled one of its boldest updates yet — introducing a new Games app designed to transform how users play and discover games on iPhones.
The app complements Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” design language, offering sleek animations and transparency effects that mark a fresh look for iOS.
While iOS redesigns are rare, the new Games app stands out as Apple’s major step toward creating a centralized hub for gaming — bringing together everything from personalized recommendations to competitive challenges with friends.
What Is the Apple Games App?
The Apple Games app isn’t a third-party store — it’s Apple’s official gaming hub introduced with iOS 26.
It provides a Home tab that showcases trending titles, personalized game suggestions, and a “Continue Playing” list so users can instantly resume recent games.
Apple has also integrated friend recommendations and social gaming options, allowing users to find others with similar tastes or challenge friends to beat their high scores.
Exploring the Tabs: Home, Arcade, Friends, and Library
The app’s clean bottom navigation bar includes four key sections:
Home Tab
A curated mix of new releases, events, and recently played titles. Tap once on any game to jump back in instantly.
Arcade Tab
For Apple Arcade subscribers, this section highlights premium, ad-free titles. For non-subscribers, it serves as a promotional showcase encouraging new sign-ups.
Friends Tab
Apple is focusing on social gaming, allowing players to compete for high scores or explore multiplayer titles. Analysts believe Apple could eventually add Discord-like features such as in-game voice chat.
Library Tab
This section acts as a game launcher, listing all installed titles, achievements, and even games you’ve deleted but played before.
Powered by Apple Silicon and liquid glass
The introduction of the Games app aligns with Apple’s growing commitment to gaming performance across devices. Thanks to Apple Silicon, even MacBooks now handle major gaming titles smoothly.
On iPhones, Apple is bringing AAA games like Resident Evil Village, Death Stranding, and GRID Autosport directly to mobile devices — bridging the gap between console and smartphone gaming.
The Games app also introduces sorting tools to help users filter by controller support, installed titles, or Arcade-only games.
Apple first introduced Game Mode in iOS 18 — a feature that automatically boosts performance and network priority when a game launches.
With iOS 26, this system integrates more seamlessly with the new Games app, ensuring smoother gameplay and reduced lag during competitive sessions.
While Android devices have had advanced gaming modes for years, Apple’s version emphasizes simplicity and efficiency, fitting seamlessly into the overall iOS experience.
