The space exploration game “No Man’s Sky” is coming to iPhone and iPad on October 28, over 10 years after its initial launch on PC in August 2016. Hello Games confirmed the release, with pre-orders already available on the App Store. The game’s beginning is free to play, allowing players to try it without immediate commitment, a unique approach compared to other major console-to-mobile ports.
This approach differs from other major console games that have made the jump to iPad, such as “Resident Evil Village” and “Death Stranding: Director’s Cut”, which required newer devices. Notably, both titles demanded iPads with an M1 chip or newer, whereas “No Man’s Sky” is compatible with devices as old as the third-generation iPad Air, released in March 2019.
A decade of updates included
The iOS version of “No Man’s Sky” will include over 40 major updates from the past decade. These updates range from last year’s “Voyagers” update, which introduced Corvette-class ships and multiplayer missions, to the “Cosmos” update released for the game’s 10th anniversary. Despite initial criticism in 2016 for missing features, Hello Games has consistently updated the game, addressing player concerns and expanding its scope.
However, the iOS version won’t support multiplayer, and Planetary Settlements will only be available on the iPhone 15 Pro and newer, with no mention of iPad support. This mirrors the Nintendo Switch version’s limitations at launch in 2022, where Hello Games founder Sean Murray cited performance concerns for excluding settlements. Whether these features will be added later depends on player engagement, as Hello Games plans to support the iOS version based on its popularity.
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Accessible to older devices
One surprising aspect is the game’s compatibility with older devices. Hello Games states that “No Man’s Sky” will run on the iPhone 11 and third-generation iPad Air or newer. This is notable because games like “Resident Evil Village” and “Death Stranding” required at least an M1 chip, whereas the iPad Air runs on the A12 Bionic chip. An iPad from seven years ago is enough to run it, and you don’t need to buy one of the most powerful gaming tablets on the market in 2026 just to play.
Hello Games has optimized the mobile version for battery life and thermals, and rebuilt the touch controls for phones and tablets. The download size is under 4GB, significantly smaller than the 15GB required for the PC version on Steam. This optimization ensures that even older devices can handle the game without significant performance issues.
Pricing and gameplay options
Players can access the beginning of the game for free, with the option to unlock the full experience for a one-time purchase of $19.99 through the App Store. For those using older iPads, starting with the free portion allows them to assess performance before committing. This pricing model is particularly appealing given the game’s extensive content and compatibility with a wide range of devices.
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