iOS 26 introduces two brand new apps for iPhone users, one of which is called ‘Apple Games.’ Here’s what the Games app does, including recent iOS 26.2 updates.
Apple Games in iOS 26: A new hub for all iPhone gaming
Apple Games is a new iOS 26 app that serves as a dedicated hub for gaming. In its announcement press release, Apple calls it ”a personalized home for games and playing with friends.”
The iPhone is an extremely popular platform for gaming. From casual match-three titles like Candy Crush to AAA, big budget efforts, the App Store has games for everyone. Whether you consider yourself a ‘gamer’ or not, there’s a good chance you play games on your iPhone.
And now, gamers of all kinds can use Apple’s Games app across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Open the app in iOS 26 and you’ll see five main sections:
Home
Arcade
Friends
Library
Search
Diving into the features of the new Games app
If you’ve used the Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Books, or Apple Podcasts apps, the Games app’s Home tab will feel familiar.
Essentially, it offers a quick way to get back to games you’ve been playing recently, recommendations for new titles, a snapshot into what friends have been playing, and more.
Arcade is all about Apple Arcade, the service that offers access to over 200 games with no ads or in-app purchases. You can get Arcade through the Apple One bundle or for $6.99/month as a standalone service.
Friends shows you an overview of Game Center activity from friends, and lets you start a gaming challenge too.
Library lets you browse all games installed on your iPhone, with convenient filtering options that expanded recently in iOS 26.2. You’ll also find game achievements and events here.
Finally, Search lets you perform a search but also lets you browse different game categories like Multiplayer, Action, Family, Puzzle, Music, and more.
If you use a game controller for gaming on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, as of iOS 26.2 the Games app now offers great support for navigation via controller. So you don’t have to switch back and forth between your controller and touch input.
iOS 26’s Games app: wrap-up
Your use of the Games app will likely depend a lot on how many games you play, and whether social gaming features are important to you.
Based on my experience with Games, the app’s greatest unique benefits are its filtering tools for large game libraries and ways to engage with friends through challenges and activity tracking. Everything else in the app is solid, but can largely be found already in the App Store app.
How have you been using the Apple Games app in iOS 26? What are your top features? Let us know in the comments.
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