Hello Games announced that its space exploration title, No Man’s Sky, will launch on iPhone and iPad on October 28, 2026, delivering 10 years of accumulated game updates to mobile hardware.
Key points
- Hello Games will launch No Man's Sky for iPhone and iPad on October 28, 2026.
- The release requires iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 on devices powered by an A12 Bionic chip or newer.
- The download includes a free opening trial before requiring a one-time $19.99 unlock.
- The mobile version supports physical controllers, keyboards, mice, and requires 4 GB of storage space.
The release marks the first time the studio’s procedurally generated universe will run natively on Apple mobile platforms. Rather than delivering a pared-down spinoff, the studio has packaged the complete base game alongside every content patch released over the past decade, including the recent Cosmos expansion.
Pricing Structure and App Store Trial
Apple users can pre-order the title directly through the No Man’s Sky App Store listing ahead of the October 28 launch date. Hello Games is utilizing an introductory trial distribution model rather than an upfront paid download.
Players can download the game at no cost to play through the opening segment. Accessing the remainder of the universe requires a single in-app purchase of $19.99, unlocking the full title without recurring subscription fees or microtransactions.
Hardware Requirements and Storage Footprint
The mobile port requires Apple’s latest platform software alongside specific silicon thresholds to process the game’s 18 quintillion procedurally generated planets. Hello Games lists the installation size at 4 GB of local device storage.
The technical requirements for running the game include the following specifications:
- Operating System: iOS 26.0 or later; iPadOS 26.0 or later
- Processor: Apple A12 Bionic chip or newer
- Recommended Hardware: iPhone 11 series or newer
- Local Storage: Minimum 4 GB available space
Control Options and Input Methods
Hello Games rebuilt the title’s rendering pipeline and interface specifically for touchscreens and mobile processors. The developer confirmed that the port aims to deliver console-grade graphical parity alongside multiple physical input configurations.
In addition to standard touch-based controls, the port includes native support for traditional gamepads, mice, and keyboards. This allows players to configure desktop-style or console-style control setups on supported iPad and iPhone models.
Cross-Save and Platform Availability
Hello Games has not confirmed whether the iOS version will feature cross-platform save synchronization with existing console or PC playthroughs. The developer has left save-file transfers unaddressed ahead of the late October launch.
The studio has also made no announcements regarding an Android release. Studio head Sean Murray has not indicated whether Hello Games intends to adapt the engine for Android hardware in the future.
