No Man’s Sky launches on iPhone and iPad on 28 October 2026, with more than 40 major updates and a free trial. The full game costs $19.99 to unlock in the US, but multiplayer will not be available at launch.
This is the main game adapted for mobile, not a separate spin-off. The differences lie in how it plays and which features each device can support.
No Man’s Sky iOS release date, pre-orders and price
Pre-orders are open on the App Store. At launch, players will be able to try the beginning of the game for free before deciding whether to pay for the full unlock. The US price is $19.99; regional prices may vary.
Hello Games has announced 28 October 2026 as the launch date, while the US App Store lists 29 October as its expected availability date. The reason for the difference has not been confirmed.
The No Man’s Sky entry in GTR’s release calendar follows the developer’s announced date. Players should check their regional storefront for the actual release time.
iPhone and iPad requirements: the iOS 26 catch
Hello Games highlights support for iPhone 11 and newer and third-generation iPad Air and newer. The App Store also requires iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 and an A12 Bionic-class chip or later.
The App Store compatibility list includes iPhone XS and XR, but neither phone can install iOS 26. Despite appearing in the list, they do not meet the game’s stated operating-system requirement.
The fifth-generation iPad mini is different: it supports iPadOS 26 and appears in Apple’s list. However, Hello Games has not published sustained-performance figures for individual older iPads. Software compatibility does not guarantee identical frame rates or visual settings.
No Man’s Sky iOS: multiplayer, Settlements and cross-save
The iOS version includes more than 40 major updates, including Cosmos and Voyagers. The latter introduced the ability to build large, customizable starships.
Exploration, trading, survival and building remain. Two restrictions are confirmed for launch, while cross-save support is still an open question:
- Multiplayer — unavailable: Not supported in the initial iPhone and iPad release.
- Planetary Settlements — device-restricted: Supported on iPhone 15 Pro and newer iPhones. Hello Games has not specified individual iPad models.
- Cross-save — unconfirmed: Hello Games has not announced whether the iOS edition will support transfers of existing PC or console saves.
Hello Games says future mobile support will depend on player feedback and adoption, but it has not announced a timetable for adding missing functionality.
Rebuilt touch controls and a 3.8GB download
Walking, flying, driving and managing inventory present different challenges on a touchscreen. Hello Games says it rebuilt the controls for mobile rather than carrying over the console interface unchanged.
Physical controllers are supported, along with casting to a television. On iPad, players can also use a mouse and keyboard.
The App Store lists a 3.8GB download, relatively small for a game with such a large universe. Much of the environment is generated as players explore instead of being stored as prebuilt worlds.
A small download is not a performance benchmark. Hello Games says it has worked on battery life and thermal management but has not published comparable long-session results for individual iPhone and iPad models.
At launch, the trial will give players a chance to check the controls, responsiveness and initial image quality on their own hardware. Sustained frame rates and battery behaviour will still require longer testing.
Sources: Hello Games — official iOS announcement; Apple App Store — US listing; Apple Support — iOS 26 compatibility.