No Mans Sky Arrives on iPhone and iPad October 28

Apple is expanding its mobile gaming lineup with No Man's Sky, the space exploration and survival game from Hello Games, launching on iPhone and iPad on October 28, 2026. Announced during the App Store's Indie Games Week on October 12, the release brings more than a decade of game updates to Apple devices, with a free trial available at launch.

According to Hello Games and reporting by Ars Technica and Engadget, the mobile version supports the iPhone 11 and newer models, as well as the third-generation iPad Air and newer devices. The download requires less than 5GB of storage, with Hello Games reporting a file size below 4GB, because the game's vast environments are generated directly on the device rather than stored as conventional world assets.

The iOS and iPadOS versions include more than 40 major updates released since the game's original launch, including the recent Cosmos update and the Voyagers update, which introduced large, customizable starships. Players can explore planets, gather resources, craft equipment, trade, and survive across a procedurally generated universe.

Hello Games co-founder Sean Murray described the mobile conversion as an unexpected technical achievement after a team member proposed adapting the game for iPhone. The studio subsequently spent three years developing the iOS version, according to Ars Technica.

In its official announcement, Hello Games emphasized that the mobile release retains the full game rather than offering a reduced edition.

"This is not No Man’s Sky Lite. It is the full universe to explore, complete with over forty major updates, including, COSMOS, which came out just a few weeks ago." Hello Games said.

The developer has redesigned the touch interface to accommodate the game's different control schemes, including planetary exploration, spacecraft flight, first-person and third-person movement, and vehicle operation. Players can also connect game controllers and cast gameplay to a television, while the iPad version additionally supports a mouse and keyboard.

However, the mobile release has two significant restrictions. According to Hello Games, planetary settlements will be available only on the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models, while multiplayer will not be supported on iPhone or iPad at launch.

The studio has left open the possibility of expanding support based on player participation and feedback. Hello Games previously followed a similar approach with the Nintendo Switch release, eventually expanding the experience for Nintendo Switch 2.

"We are excited to see player feedback on iOS, and will support it appropriately based on how many folks are playing." Hello Games said.

Apple's Indie Games Week also highlights six other independent titles: Sifu, Vampire Crawlers, Little Kitty, Big City, 9 Kings, Dome Keeper, and Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall. According to Apple, these games are available to download during the event, while No Man's Sky is scheduled to arrive later in the month.

Carson Oliver, Apple's head of App Store Worldwide, said the initiative recognizes independent developers and their contributions to game design. The event features daily spotlights and curated collections across the App Store, with additional recommendations available for Mac gaming.

No Man's Sky will become available for iPhone and iPad on October 28, 2026, with a free trial at launch. Ars Technica reported a final purchase price of $19.99.