No Man's Sky on iPhone and iPad: Price, Devices and What's Missing

No Man’s Sky came out on iPhone and iPad on October 28, 2026. It is free to download and try, and the full game is a one-time in-app purchase ($19.99 on the US App Store). It needs iOS 26 and at least an iPhone 11 or a 3rd-generation iPad Air, and multiplayer isn’t available at launch. The release landed during Apple’s App Store Indie Games Week, which helps explain the jump up the App Store charts.

This guide covers what you get, which devices can run it, what’s missing compared with PC and consoles, and what the Forsaken update added on launch day. Everything here is accurate as of October 29–30, 2026. Hello Games updates the game often, so details may change.

What you get on iOS

According to Hello Games’ official iOS announcement, this is the full game, not a cut-down spin-off. It includes the free content updates added over the game’s ten years. Pocket Gamer notes that the mobile version launched alongside the new Forsaken update, so iOS players get current content from day one.

The App Store listing describes it as free to try. A one-time purchase unlocks the full game, ten years of updates included. The US price is $19.99. Some outlets also give euro and pound prices. Prices vary by region, so check the price on your own store before you buy.

Download size

The App Store lists the download at 3.8 GB, and Hello Games describes it as under 4 GB. Make sure you have extra free space beyond that for future updates and save data. The game’s major updates have been frequent.

Device and system requirements

If your device is near the bottom of that list, start with the free trial. It costs nothing and shows you how the game runs on your own hardware before you buy the unlock.

What’s missing compared with PC and consoles

Two things stand out:

• No multiplayer. Hello Games states plainly that multiplayer is not supported on iOS. Engadget points out that this matches how the Nintendo Switch version launched. Pocket Gamer reports Sean Murray saying that “based on feedback and player numbers we will support iOS in a similar way”. That suggests support could come later, but there is no date or firm commitment.
• Settlements depend on your device. Planetary settlements only work on iPhone 15 Pro and above. Some coverage says settlements are missing entirely, but the official post words it as a device limit, so trust Hello Games’ wording.

What about cross-save?

As of this writing, neither the official iOS announcement nor the App Store listing mentions cross-save or cross-progression for iOS. Hello Games’ long-standing crossplay support covers other platforms, but we found no official confirmation that iOS saves link to PC or console saves. The Full Game Unlock is also sold separately in the App Store, so a copy you own on another platform doesn’t unlock it on iPhone. Assume you’re starting a fresh save on iOS unless Hello Games announces otherwise.

Controls: touch, controller, or mouse and keyboard

Hello Games says it rebuilt the touch controls from scratch to cover walking around, flying, vehicles and the mech. You don’t have to use touch, though. The official post lists support for:

• Game controllers
• Casting to a TV
• Mouse and keyboard on iPad

On-screen controls can feel crowded on a phone during long sessions like ship combat or base building. A controller is worth trying if you already own one that pairs with your iPhone or iPad.

How to get started

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad and check that the device is on iOS/iPadOS 26.0 or later (Settings > General > Software Update).
2. Search for “No Man’s Sky” and make sure the developer listed is Hello Games. Download the free app.
3. Play the free portion to check performance, controls and heat on your device.
4. If you want to keep going, buy the Full Game Unlock from inside the game through the App Store’s normal in-app purchase flow.
5. Pair a controller in iOS Bluetooth settings if you’d rather not use touch.

Only buy through the official App Store listing. Third-party “unlockers” or modified versions aren’t legitimate and can put your account at risk.

The Forsaken update (7.10)

The iOS launch arrived on the same day as Forsaken, Update 7.10. It’s a free update with a spooky theme. GamesRadar calls it the game’s fifth major update of 2026. The headline additions, from the official patch notes and Massively OP’s coverage, are:

• Mementos and forsaken traders. Find haunting mementos in deep-space hulks, infested outposts, derelict freighters and digsites. Trade them to forsaken traders for new corvette modules and a Larva Cannon multi-tool. Dedicated salvagers can also earn a unique player title and a Larva Tank helmet customisation.
• Direct warping to nearby stars. You can now target a neighbouring star system and warp to it straight from space, without opening the Galaxy Map. GamesRadar notes this delivers on a pre-launch teaser.
• Courier missions. A new mission type sends you from deep-space outposts to deliver packages using a corvette and a Gravitino Coil.
• Quality-of-life changes. These include a radial menu for multi-tool modes and a “Minimal” HUD setting for experienced players who want less on screen. Space bases can now also be uploaded to the shared server.

Hotfix 7.11

Hello Games followed up quickly with patch 7.11. It fixes a crash when using the teleporter in the Anomaly and a crash while warping between systems. It went live on Steam first, and Hello Games said other platforms would get it as soon as possible. We couldn’t confirm whether it has reached iOS yet. If you hit either crash, check the App Store for an update.

Is it worth it on iPhone?

If you’ve never played No Man’s Sky, the free trial makes this an easy call: install it, play the opening, and decide. The App Store version includes ten years of updates in a one-time purchase, with no subscription.

If you already play on PC or console, the case is weaker for now. Without multiplayer or confirmed cross-save, the iOS version is a separate, single-player game. It’s a good portable way to explore, but it won’t replace your main save. If either of those changes, it’ll be through Hello Games’ official news page and patch notes, so that’s where to look.