A major new addition to Apple’s software lineup at WWDC25, the Games app, centralizes gaming experiences across all Apple devices, the iPhone giant said Monday. And it adds powerful social features that turn even single-player games into shared experiences with friends.
“The Games app is going to be a game changer for playing on iPhone, iPad and Mac,” said Tim Garbos, creative director and cofounder of game brand Triband. “The app makes it easy for us to create moments just for groups of friends. The new challenges feature works great and feels natural for our games on Apple Arcade, including our latest release, What the Clash?, and we’ve been having a lot of fun with it!”
Apple Games app announcement: Centralizing play across devices, plus social elements
Apple introduced the new Games app during the WWDC25 keynote in the context of iOS 26. But the app will work across iOS 26, iPad OS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26, covering your main Apple devices. The new app represents Apple’s most significant gaming initiative in years, creating a unified hub where users can access all their downloaded games from iPhone and iPad, plus Mac titles, in one convenient location, Apple said.
But beyond simple organization, the Games app introduces features that could fundamentally change how people play and connect through gaming on Apple platforms.
Social gaming takes center stage
Photo: Apple
The headlining Games app feature is its social integration. It allows players to see what friends are playing, compare achievements and easily jump into multiplayer sessions together. Users can view their complete gaming history with friends, send invite links through any messaging platform and use party codes to quickly organize gaming sessions.
“As my friends have grown up and moved away, I miss hearing about what they’re playing on their phones, and the Games app is a great way I can get a window back into their gaming worlds,” said Zach Gage, indie developer and cofounder of Puzzmo, highlighting how the app addresses the challenge of staying connected through gaming as people’s lives change.
Challenges bring competition to any game
Photo: Apple
Perhaps the most innovative addition is the challenges feature, which transforms single-player experiences into competitive multiplayer events. Any game with Game Center leaderboards can now support these friend-focused competitions — whether players are competing to survive the most enemy waves in Thronefall or achieve the highest score on weekly courses in Skate City: New York.
Developers are embracing these possibilities, Apple said, quoting several of them in press materials.
“The introduction of challenges and a new social layer marks a major leap forward for both developers and players,” said Glib Platonov, cofounder of Doghowl Games. “While creators stay focused on gameplay, these features bring people together in just a few taps.”
Enhanced game discovery and Apple Arcade integration
Photo: Apple
The Games app also serves as an improved discovery platform, offering personalized recommendations based on users’ gaming history, friends’ activities and games supporting Game Center features. Editorial collections will highlight exciting titles like Balatro, Crashlands 2 and DREDGE.
For Apple Arcade subscribers, the app becomes the primary gateway to the service’s 200+ games, with curated collections designed to help users maximize their subscription value. Popular titles like Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Sneaky Sasquatch and Mini Motorways will be prominently featured.
Keeping players informed
The app introduces new tools for developers to communicate with players about updates and events. Game pages will dynamically display relevant information like live events, updates and friend activity. That helps ensure players never miss important gaming moments.
The Games app supports controller navigation and launches directly into games. So gamers get a console-like experience on Apple devices.
App testing began Monday through the Apple Developer Program. A public beta launches next month. And full release is scheduled for fall 2025 alongside iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26.
Source: Apple
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
