On October 28, the full experience of the sci-fi adventure game No Man’s Sky comes to iPhone and iPad, with preorders kicking off on October 12 via Apple’s App Store. This marks the arrival of a title that originally launched in 2016, making its way to iOS and iPadOS over a decade later. While it became available on Mac in June 2023, mobile users will now get the same full universe as other platforms — no trimmed-down version.
What You’ll Get
The iOS/iPadOS version includes every major update, including the COSMOS expansion and the Voyagers update of 2025, which introduced customizable, big-rig starships. However, two features won’t be live at launch: multiplayer and settlements. Those omissions match what was done on the Nintendo Switch release, based on community feedback.
To accommodate the shift to touchscreens, Hello Games developed a new touch-based control scheme. For iPad users, however, controller support is available, plus the option to use mouse and keyboard or cast gameplay to a TV — maintaining flexibility in how you play.
Storage, Price & Development Backstory
Despite the vastness of the planet-hopping universe, the game’s install size on iPhones and iPads stays under 5 gigabytes — significantly leaner than you might expect for such an expansive game. Unlocking the full edition at launch will cost $19.99.
In terms of its journey to mobile hardware, the move was years in the works. The game’s transition to Metal 3 and integration of Apple’s MetalFX upscaling frameworks—features introduced during WWDC 2022—were foundational technologies for the port. By mid-2023, Hello Games was already discussing the possibility of bringing the game to iOS when interviewed about the Mac release. Both hardware compatibility and software strategy were vital considerations, especially around UI, battery efficiency, and user experience.
No Man’s Sky for iPhone and iPad will be free to try at launch, giving players a chance to sample it before deciding to buy. Preorders begin October 12, with full release on October 28.
Why it matters: This isn’t just another mobile port—it’s the full-scale No Man’s Sky universe, with its planet exploration, starship upgrades, and massive procedural systems intact. Even with some missing features at launch, it’s a bold move for Hello Games and a strong statement about what mobile can handle today.
