No Man's Sky Coming to iPhone and iPad on October 28

Hello Games has announced that No Man's Sky will launch on iPhone and iPad on October 28, 2026. The mobile version will include more than 40 major updates released since the game's original launch, bringing its procedurally generated universe to supported Apple devices.

Studio founder Sean Murray confirmed that the iOS release will support iPhone 11 and newer models, along with the third-generation iPad Air and newer compatible iPads. The game will feature redesigned touchscreen controls, controller support and a free trial before players purchase the full version.

Hello Games says the mobile release is not a simplified version of No Man's Sky. Players will be able to explore planets, build bases, collect resources, pilot starships and travel across the game's procedurally generated universe.

The release includes major additions such as Voyagers, which introduced customizable starship construction in 2025, and the recent Cosmos update. These are part of more than 40 updates that have expanded the game since its 2016 debut.

However, the iOS version will have some limitations compared with PC and console releases. Multiplayer will not be supported. On iPhone, Planetary Settlements will require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, while Hello Games has not specified the equivalent iPad requirements for that feature.

Murray compared the approach to the original Nintendo Switch release, which launched with certain restrictions before receiving further improvements. Hello Games plans to evaluate player feedback and the size of the iOS audience when deciding how to support the mobile version in the future.

Hello Games has rebuilt the touchscreen controls to accommodate the different activities in No Man's Sky. These include exploring planets, flying starships, driving vehicles, operating mechs and switching between first-person and third-person perspectives.

The studio has also redesigned crafting and inventory interactions, recognizing that players spend considerable time managing resources and equipment during exploration.

Players who prefer physical controls can use a compatible game controller. The iOS version also supports casting gameplay to a television, while iPad users can play with a mouse and keyboard.

Murray said the team spent considerable effort optimizing battery consumption and device temperatures. The goal is to make longer play sessions comfortable on mobile hardware, although Hello Games has not announced specific performance targets for supported devices.

Despite the size of its explorable universe, No Man's Sky will require less than 4GB for its initial download. The Apple App Store currently lists the game at approximately 3.8GB.

The relatively small installation is possible because the game generates its environments during gameplay rather than storing its entire universe as prebuilt content.

The App Store lists iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 as the minimum software requirement, alongside compatible hardware. Players will need to check that their devices support the required operating system before installing the game.

Pre-orders are already available through the App Store. Players will be able to experience the beginning of No Man's Sky for free, with a one-time purchase unlocking the complete adventure. The US App Store currently lists the full-game unlock at $19.99.

Although Hello Games and Apple announced an October 28 release, the US App Store currently displays October 29 as its expected availability date. The reason for the difference has not been clarified.

The October 28 release will bring No Man's Sky to another platform alongside its existing PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo versions. Hello Games has not confirmed whether multiplayer or broader Planetary Settlement support will be added to iOS in a future update.