Last fall 9to5Mac exclusively reported that Apple had a new, dedicated ‘Games’ app in the works for iPhone and more. Then this week, Bloomberg corroborated that report and outlined the timing: the new ‘Games’ app is coming this year in iOS 26 and more. Here are three features to expect.
#1: Hub for accessing all your games
One tentpole feature of the Games app is that it will serve as a launcher into all of your games.
Similar to how Apple’s TV app aggregates movies and TV shows in one place, so the Games app will be a one-stop hub for all things gaming.
So whether you’ve downloaded an app from the App Store, Apple Arcade, or even outside the App Store on your Mac, you’ll be able to open the Games app to find every title and launch directly into them.
#2: Editorial content
Similar to the App Store, the new Games app will feature editorial content from Apple’s team.
The types of content will include:
- newly launched titles
- upcoming game releases
- in-game event promotions
- featured collections and highlighted games
It sounds very much like the same types of content found in the Games and Arcade tabs of the App Store app will find their way into the new Games app.
Could this mean games are removed entirely from the App Store app? I doubt it. More likely, Apple will find a way to repackage its editorial content in a way that feels unique inside the Games app.
#3: Leaderboards, achievements, and social
Game Center has long existed on Apple’s platforms as a way to participate in leaderboards, track in-game achievements, and see what your friends are up to.
Back in Game Center’s early days, it existed as a dedicated app on the iPhone. Then starting with iOS 10, the features became integrated systemwide and the standalone app disappeared.
But with this new Games app, Apple will integrate the existing Game Center features and add even more functionality.
Gurman says the new app will “centralize in-game achievements, leaderboards, communications and other activity.” We don’t have a lot of details yet, but I’d expect a more feature-rich offering than what Game Center currently provides.
Apple’s Games app: release timing and platform support
Apple reportedly plans to pre-install its new Games app across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV 4K as part of its upcoming software releases. There’s been no mention of a visionOS version, but that might happen too.
So when iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and tvOS 26 all launch this fall, they’ll provide instant access to the new app.
Are you interested in using this new Games app? Let us know in the comments.
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