Block Blast!, the immensely popular puzzle game that topped download charts in 2025, is set to launch an ad-free version on Apple Arcade. This move aims to enhance the gaming experience by eliminating interruptions from advertisements.
Developed by Hungry Studio, Block Blast! has captivated a vast audience with its engaging gameplay. Players strategically place blocks on a grid to form complete lines, which are then cleared to earn points. The game’s simplicity, combined with its challenging nature, has led to over 725 million lifetime installs, according to app intelligence provider Appfigures. Some estimates suggest the figure could be as high as 868 million installs.
Apple’s internal data indicates that Block Blast! was the most downloaded free iPhone game in 2025. Despite its continued popularity, with tens of millions of new users each month, the game’s download rates have shown signs of decline from their peak in late 2024, when it was pulling in nearly 50 million downloads per month. This trend suggests the game is entering a maturation phase, making it an opportune time to introduce it to Apple’s subscription-based gaming service.
Apple Arcade, launched in 2019, offers a curated selection of games free from advertisements and in-app purchases. Subscribers can access a diverse library of titles for a monthly fee of $6.99, with the option to bundle the service with Apple One plans starting at $19.95 per month. The addition of Block Blast! aligns with Apple Arcade’s commitment to providing high-quality, uninterrupted gaming experiences.
For existing fans of Block Blast!, the Arcade version addresses a common grievance: the prevalence of ads. In the standard version, players often encounter advertisements after each game session, leading some to close and reopen the app to bypass them. The ad-free version on Apple Arcade eliminates this inconvenience, allowing for seamless gameplay.
Block Blast! will be available on Apple Arcade starting September 3. This release coincides with the addition of other notable titles, including Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+, NFL Retro Bowl ’27, Coloring Games for Families+, and Let’s Play! Oink Games+, a digital collection of nine tabletop games.
The inclusion of Block Blast! on Apple Arcade signifies a strategic move for both Hungry Studio and Apple. For the developer, it offers a new avenue to reach audiences seeking premium, ad-free gaming experiences. For Apple, it enhances the value proposition of its subscription service by adding a highly popular title to its roster.
