GeForce Now, the online game streaming service from Nvidia, is now available in Safari on iOS. You can use it to play a whole host of controller-compatible PC games (more than 750) in 1080p.
Nvidia says that Fortnite, which is currently banned from the App Store, is on the way.
GeForce Now has been available on macOS and other platforms since early 2020. We reviewed it back in February and found it to be very decent indeed. But it’s not allowed on iPhone and iPad as a native app.
Apple’s strict App Store policies prohibit game streaming services like Nvidia’s. But Cupertino can’t prevent GeForce Now from coming to iOS via a web browser, so Nvidia has brought it to Safari instead.
GeForce Now is live in Safari
GeForce Now users can access the service — and many of its supported games — starting today. The Safari version of the service is still in beta for now, but it does exactly what you expect it to do.
Like GeForce Now on Mac, the Safari version streams in 1080p at up to 60 frames-per-second. It requires iOS 14.2 or later, plus an internet connection that’s at least 15 Mbps fast (25Mbps for 1080p).
You will also need a GeForce Now subscription, priced at $4.99 a month. A six-month option is available for just $24.95, and there is a free tier if you don’t mind being limited to one-hour play sessions.
There are hundreds of games to choose from, but note you will need a compatible controller to play them. Nvidia has published a list of recommended gamepads that you should see before shopping.
Fortnite on the way
Fortnite fans will be pleased to know that the game is coming to GeForce Now on iOS. Nvidia says it is working with Epic Games on a touch-friendly version that will be available soon.
This will be frustrating news for Apple, which banned Fortnite — and other Epic titles — from iPhone and iPad after Epic broke Apple’s rules by offering in-app purchases outside of the App Store.
Apple and Epic are now involved in a messy legal battle over App Store fees and policies, which shows no signs of coming to an end anytime soon. It may mean Fortnite never returns to iOS natively.
Today’s announcement follows an earlier rumor that suggested Fortnite would return to iOS with the help of Nvidia.
