No Man’s Sky arrives on iPhone and iPad on Oct. 28, with an installation under 4GB. Pre-orders are open through the Apple App Store. Apple’s announcement gives Oct. 28, but the U.S. App Store listing currently shows Oct. 29 and a 3.8GB download. The listing also shows a $19.99 one-time purchase to unlock the full game after a free trial of its opening. Prices may vary by region.
An internal challenge set the port in motion after Hello Games announced No Man’s Sky for Mac. A team member suggested trying the game on an iPhone, and Sean Murray said he did not believe it was possible until he saw it running. The iOS version generates the universe on the device, bringing the full game to phones and tablets rather than offering a pared-down edition.
More than 40 major updates are included, from last year’s Voyagers update, which introduced large rig-style starships, to September’s COSMOS update. COSMOS added points of interest, asteroid belts, space hulks, and space-station management, including the ability to buy and customize space stations.
Planetary Settlements are supported on iPhone 15 Pro and newer. Multiplayer will not be available at launch, though Hello Games plans to add it later. The studio says its ongoing support for the iOS version will depend on player feedback and how many people play.
Supported devices include iPhone 11 and newer, as well as third-generation iPad Air and newer. Hello Games rebuilt the touch controls for the game’s different play styles, including exploration, flight, vehicles, and mechs. Players can also use controllers, cast the game to a TV, or connect a mouse and keyboard on iPad. The studio has worked on battery life and device thermals to support longer play sessions. Hello Games has not announced an Android version alongside the iOS rollout.
Which part of No Man’s Sky would you most want to take on the go, exploring planets, flying, or managing a settlement? For more on how Hello Games is adapting its procedurally generated universe for mobile, follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
No Man's Sky
Developed by Hello Games
No Man's Sky is an action-adventure survival game set in a procedurally generated universe containing over 18 quintillion planets. Players explore star systems, gather resources, trade with alien species, and upgrade their equipment while following an overarching narrative involving a mysterious entity called the Atlas. The game is built around four pillars: exploration, survival, combat, and trading. Since its 2016 launch, it has received numerous free updates adding multiplayer, base building, fleet management, and virtual reality support.
- Genre Shooter, Simulator, Adventure, Indie, Arcade
- Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation VR2, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation VR, PC (Microsoft Windows), SteamVR, PlayStation 5, Mac, Oculus Rift, Xbox One
- Perspective First person, Third person, Virtual Reality
- Modes Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
- Release August 9, 2016
- Publisher 505 Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Hello Games
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