{"id":57304,"date":"2025-08-21T18:26:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T16:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/?p=57304"},"modified":"2025-08-21T18:26:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T16:26:24","slug":"ios-26-everything-about-the-new-games-app-for-iphone-ipad-and-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/en\/allgemein\/ios-26-alles-zur-neuen-games-app-fuer-iphone-ipad-und-mac","title":{"rendered":"iOS 26: Everything about the new games app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac"},"content":{"rendered":"

With iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, Apple is introducing a new Games app that centralizes gaming across Apple devices. It's designed as a standalone platform for discovering, organizing, and sharing games. The existing "Games" tab in the App Store will remain, but will be integrated into the new app in an expanded form.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the Games app, Apple is bundling all key gaming features in one place for the first time. Instead of switching between the App Store, Game Center, and individual games, everything is combined in a single interface. The app is clearly structured, offers personalized recommendations, unified game libraries, and expanded multiplayer options. The goal is to simplify the gaming experience in the Apple ecosystem while strengthening community features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home page \u2013 the central overview<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The home page, referred to as "Home" in the app, is your personalized hub. It features a "Keep Playing" section for quick access to recently played titles. A large carousel at the top displays selected content such as game suggestions, friends' achievements, or new app features. The home page feed is divided into sections based in part on your gaming history. These include Arcade Games for You, Friends Playing, Most Played Games, Because You Played, Top Arcade Games, New Games We Love, New Games on Apple Arcade, Try Before You Buy, Our Most Anticipated Games, Friend Suggestions, Top Free Games, and Top Paid Games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Apple
Image: Apple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Events \u2013 limited-time game content<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The events familiar from iOS 15 are prominently displayed in the Games app. They include limited-time game modes, special trophies and items, major content updates, crossover events, challenges, and more. This keeps you up to date on new content in ongoing games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple Arcade \u2013 direct access to the subscription offer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A separate tab is dedicated to Apple Arcade. This section introduces the service, which costs \u20ac6.99 per month, including curated game recommendations, top lists, and new releases. The structure is similar to the existing Apple Arcade section in the App Store, but is fully integrated into the Games app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unified games library<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Games app is divided into four tabs: Home, Arcade, Play Together, and Library. The Library contains all the games played on all devices. Here, you can sort achievements, filter by platform, and access specific Apple Arcade titles or events. Game entries show when they were last played, offer a launch or download option, and include details about rating, genre, controller support, and storage requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Play together \u2013 multiplayer and social features<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The "Play Together" tab displays titles currently being played by friends, along with recommendations for multiplayer games. A new tool for challenges, where players play asynchronously against each other, is also available. Multiplayer sessions can be started directly by selecting friends from a list or adding them via a party code or invitation link. Multiplayer and challenges require both players to have iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS Tahoe or later installed. Play is available in co-op or competitive mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges \u2013 Compete at your own pace<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Challenges are designed for games that typically offer single-player modes. Rules or parameters can be set, for example, to achieve the highest score or the fastest level completion. The duration can be limited to one, three, or seven days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game Center \u2013 more integrated<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Game Center is integrated into the Games app. Achievements, leaderboards, and friend invites are directly accessible. Notifications appear when your score is higher than your friends'. Game Center settings remain available in the iOS Settings app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game mode \u2013 uninterrupted control<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When you start a game, Game Mode automatically activates. You can open an overlay from the Control Center that offers leaderboards, friend invites, and volume, screen brightness, and controller settings. Unlike Focus Modes, Game Mode doesn't block notifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional functions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Friend requests can be accepted or sent via the profile in the games app. There's also an overview of completed challenges and your own game history. A search function allows you to enter specific titles or browse categories. Developers can integrate their own multiplayer and challenge features to make their games visible in the app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image: Apple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Device compatibility<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Games app is only available on devices running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS Tahoe. For features like multiplayer and challenges, all devices involved must be up to date. The app is designed exclusively for gaming with other Apple users and does not support Android or other platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n