TL;DR
iOS 26 introduces a dedicated Games app that organizes iPhone gaming into Home, Arcade, Friends, Library and Search tabs. The app is available across iPhone, iPad and Mac and gained improved controller navigation in iOS 26.2.
What happened
With the iOS 26 update Apple added a standalone Games app to serve as a central place for gaming across iPhone, iPad and Mac. The app arranges content into five main sections — Home, Arcade, Friends, Library and Search — giving users quick access to recently played titles, Apple Arcade offerings, friends' Game Center activity, installed games, achievements and event listings. Home mirrors other Apple media hubs by surfacing recommendations and recent play; Arcade highlights the Apple Arcade catalog; Friends presents social activity and lets users start challenges; Library provides filtering tools for installed games; and Search supports both text queries and browsing by categories such as Multiplayer, Action and Puzzle. A subsequent iOS 26.2 update improved controller navigation inside the Games app so users can move through the interface without switching from a gamepad to touch input.
Why it matters
- Consolidates gaming-related features into a single app, making it easier to find and resume games.
- Improved library filters and social tools can help users manage larger game collections and engage friends.
- Apple Arcade integration centralizes access to the subscription’s catalog alongside purchased and installed titles.
- Controller navigation support reduces friction when using gamepads on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Key facts
- The Games app is new in iOS 26 and is available across iPhone, iPad and Mac.
- It is organized into five tabs: Home, Arcade, Friends, Library and Search.
- Home shows recently played games, recommendations and friends’ activity snapshots.
- Arcade focuses on Apple Arcade, which offers over 200 games with no ads or in-app purchases and is available via Apple One or $6.99/month standalone.
- Friends displays Game Center activity and supports initiating gaming challenges with friends.
- Library lists installed games and includes achievements and events; filtering options were expanded in iOS 26.2.
- Search supports category browsing (Multiplayer, Action, Family, Puzzle, Music, etc.) in addition to text search.
- iOS 26.2 added improved navigation of the Games app using a game controller so users need not switch back to touch input.
What to watch next
- How widely the Games app is adopted by users who have large game libraries or use social gaming features.
- Potential future updates that expand controller support or add new navigation features (not confirmed in the source).
- Whether Apple will further fold App Store discovery features into Games or keep discovery primarily in the App Store app (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Apple Arcade: A subscription service that provides access to a catalog of games without ads or in-app purchases.
- Game Center: Apple’s social layer for gaming that tracks friends, achievements and multiplayer activity across devices.
- Controller navigation: Using a physical game controller to move through an app’s interface instead of tapping the screen.
- iOS update: A software release from Apple that can add features, improvements and bug fixes to iPhone operating systems.
Reader FAQ
Is the Games app available on iPad and Mac?
Yes — the source states the Games app can be used across iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Does the Games app replace the App Store?
Not confirmed in the source.
Does Games support controllers?
Yes. iOS 26.2 added improved controller navigation within the Games app so you can navigate without switching back to touch input.
What was the other new app introduced in iOS 26?
Not confirmed in the source.
Rumor Replay: iPhone Fold’s crease-free display, and more Ryan Christoffel Jan 8 2026 IOS 26 GAMES iOS 26 adds new ‘Games’ app on iPhone, here’s what it does Ryan Christoffel…
Sources
- iOS 26 adds new ‘Games’ app on iPhone, here’s what it does
- Apple Games – App Store
- Introducing the Apple Games app: A personalized home for …
- iOS 26: Will Apple Games Change Mobile Gaming? – Maf.ad
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