Apple Arcade is a monthly subscription that gives you access to a library of games on Apple devices

Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month and includes access to over 200 games across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. You download games directly to your device and play them without ads or in-app purchases. The subscription covers one person, but you can share it with family members through Family Sharing if you set that up on your Apple account.

Games in the library range from puzzle games and casual titles to action games and story-driven experiences. Apple adds new games regularly and removes others, so the exact lineup changes over time. You keep access to games you have downloaded as long as your subscription remains active; if you cancel, you lose access to the games but your save data stays on your device for 30 days.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month and works on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV with a single subscription.
  • Games have no ads and no in-app purchases, so the price you pay is the only cost.
  • You can share your subscription with up to six family members through Family Sharing, though each person needs their own Apple ID.
  • The game library changes regularly as Apple adds and removes titles, so the games available today may not be available in six months.
  • A one-month free trial is usually offered when you first sign up, though this offer varies by region and device.

How to set up Apple Arcade on your devices

On iPhone or iPad, open the App Store, tap the Arcade tab at the bottom, and select "Try it Free" or the subscription price. You will be asked to confirm your Apple ID password or use Face ID or Touch ID. The subscription will renew automatically each month on the same date you signed up, charged to your Apple ID payment method.

On Mac, open the App Store, click Arcade in the sidebar, and follow the same steps. On Apple TV, go to the App Store, find Arcade, and sign up using your Apple ID. Once you have an active subscription on any device, you can download games on all your other devices without paying again — the subscription follows your Apple ID, not the device.

If you have Family Sharing set up, the person who pays for the subscription (the family organizer) can turn on Arcade for the whole family. Each family member can then download games to their own devices using their own Apple ID. Family Sharing requires all members to be in the same iCloud Family group.

What games are included and how often the library changes

Apple Arcade includes games made specifically for the service as well as some games from independent developers. Titles span many genres: puzzle games like "Crosswords Crush," action games like "Sneaky Sasquatch," and story games like "Storyteller." Apple does not publish a complete list of every game, but you can browse the full library in the Arcade tab of the App Store on any device.

The library is not fixed. Apple regularly adds new games — typically several per month — and also removes games when licensing agreements end or when developers choose to leave the service. If you have downloaded a game that later leaves Arcade, you can keep playing it as long as your subscription is active, but you cannot download it again if you delete it. You will see a notification in the App Store when a game is about to leave.

Family Sharing and how many people can use one subscription

One Apple Arcade subscription can cover up to six people through Family Sharing. The family organizer (the person who pays) sets up the family group in Settings on their device, then invites other family members by their Apple ID email address. Each person needs their own Apple ID to join, and they do not need to live in the same house.

Once someone is added to the family group, they automatically get access to Arcade and can download games to their own devices. They cannot see each other's game progress or save files unless they are playing on a shared device. If someone leaves the family group, they lose access to Arcade immediately, and any games they downloaded will no longer work.

Family Sharing also covers other Apple services if the organizer has them — including Apple Music, Apple TV+, and iCloud+ — so adding someone to the family group gives them access to all of those at once. You can remove someone from the family group at any time through your account settings.

Cost and payment options

Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month in the United States. Pricing varies by country and region. The subscription renews automatically each month and is charged to the payment method on file with your Apple ID — usually a credit card, debit card, or Apple Gift Card balance.

Most new subscribers receive a one-month free trial before the first charge. This offer is not may provide and varies by region, device, and whether you have used a trial before. If you are unsure whether you may have access to for a trial, you will see the offer (or the price) when you try to sign up.

You can cancel your subscription at any time through your Apple ID settings. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, so you keep access to games until your next renewal date would have occurred. If you cancel during a free trial, you will not be charged at all.

Differences between Apple Arcade and other game subscriptions

Apple Arcade focuses on curated, ad-free games made for the service or selected by Apple. It does not include older console games, sports titles, or games from major publishers like EA or Activision. If you want access to a broader library that includes older games or specific franchises, services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus offer different selections, though they work on different devices.

Apple Arcade games are optimized for touchscreen and controller play on Apple devices. If you primarily play on Windows PC or Android, Apple Arcade will not work for you. The subscription is also tied to your Apple ID and Apple devices only — you cannot use it on a web browser or non-Apple hardware.

What happens to your games if you cancel

If you cancel your subscription, you lose the ability to play any Arcade games on the day your subscription ends. Games you have downloaded will no longer open, even if they were fully downloaded to your device. Your save data and progress are stored on your device for 30 days after cancellation, so if you resubscribe within that window, you can pick up where you left off.

After 30 days, save data is deleted. If you cancel and then resubscribe months later, you will start from the beginning in any games you want to play again. Games that have left the Arcade library during the time you were unsubscribed will not be available to download, though you may be able to play them through other means if the developer offers them separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Apple Arcade games offline?

Yes. Once you download a game, you can play it without an internet connection. However, your subscription status is checked periodically, so you need to connect to the internet at least once every 30 days to confirm your subscription is still active. If you do not connect within that window, games will stop working until you do.

Do I need an Apple TV to use Apple Arcade?

No. Apple Arcade works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac without an Apple TV. If you have an Apple TV, you can play Arcade games on it too, but it is not required. You need only one Apple device to use the subscription.

Can I use Apple Arcade on Android or Windows?

No. Apple Arcade only works on Apple devices: iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. If you use Android or Windows, you cannot access Apple Arcade, though other game subscription services may be available on those platforms.

What happens if I share my Apple ID with someone else to give them Arcade?

Sharing your Apple ID directly is not recommended because the other person will have access to your entire Apple account, including your payment methods, email, and personal data. Family Sharing is the proper way to share Arcade with others — it gives them access to the subscription without exposing your account.

Can I download games to play them later if my subscription expires?

No. Games stop working the moment your subscription ends, even if they are fully downloaded. You cannot store them for later use. If you want to play again, you must resubscribe.