What Apple Arcade is and who can use it
Apple Arcade is a subscription service that gives you access to a library of games on Apple devices. You pay a monthly fee and can read and play as many games as you want from the catalog. There are no ads, no in-game purchases required, and no time limits on how long you can play.
You can use Apple Arcade on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. If you have an Apple One bundle (which combines Apple Arcade with other Apple services), you get Arcade as part of that package. The service works on any device linked to your Apple ID, so if multiple people in your household share an Apple ID, you all get access to the same games.
Apple Arcade is separate from other ways to get games on Apple devices. It is not the App Store, where you buy individual games. It is not Apple TV+, which is for movies and shows. It is its own catalog of games made specifically for this service or licensed from game publishers.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Arcade costs a set monthly amount and includes unlimited access to all games in the catalog with no ads or in-game purchases.
- You can play on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV using the same Apple ID across all your devices.
- Games stay in the catalog for as long as Apple keeps them there, but the library changes over time as titles are added and removed.
- A family plan lets up to six people share one subscription, and each person gets their own game progress and achievements.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time without penalty.
Monthly cost and payment
Apple Arcade charges a monthly subscription fee. The exact amount depends on your country and can change, so check the App Store on your device for the current price in your region. In the United States, the price has remained the same for several years, but Apple may adjust it without notice.
You are charged once per month on the same date your subscription started. The charge appears on your Apple ID billing method — usually a credit card, debit card, or gift card balance linked to your account. If you have an Apple One bundle, the Arcade fee is included in the bundle price rather than charged separately.
There is no long-term contract. You can pause your subscription or cancel it at any time, and you will not be charged again after the current billing period ends. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until the end of that month.
What games are included and how the library works
Apple Arcade includes games from major publishers and independent developers. The catalog has hundreds of titles across different genres — puzzle games, action games, sports games, story-driven games, and more. Some games are exclusive to Apple Arcade, meaning you cannot buy them anywhere else. Others are licensed titles that also exist on other platforms.
The library is not fixed. Apple adds new games regularly and removes others. When a game is removed, you can no longer read it, but if you already downloaded it, you can usually keep playing it on your device. The exact removal policy depends on the game and the licensing agreement with the publisher.
You do not own the games. You are renting access to them as long as your subscription is active. If you cancel Arcade, you lose the ability to read new games, though games already on your device may continue to work depending on how they are designed.
Family sharing and multiple users
Apple Arcade works with Apple's Family Sharing feature, which lets up to six people share one subscription. Each family member needs their own Apple ID. When you set up Family Sharing, one person (the organizer) pays for the subscription, and everyone else in the family gets access.
Each person's game progress, achievements, and saved games are separate. If two family members play the same game, they each have their own save file and cannot see each other's progress unless the game itself has multiplayer features. Family members can play at the same time on different devices.
To add someone to your family group, you go to Settings on your device, tap your name, select Family Sharing, and follow the prompts. The person you are adding needs to accept the invitation. Children under 13 (or the age of digital consent in your country) can be added by a parent or guardian, but adults must consent to join.
How to start and manage your subscription
To start an Apple Arcade subscription, open the App Store on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. Look for the Arcade tab or section. Tap on a game or the Arcade icon itself, and you will see an option to start a trial or subscribe. Tap that option and confirm your purchase using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
Most new subscribers get a trial period before being charged. The length of the trial varies — it may be one week, one month, or longer depending on current promotions. During the trial, you have full access to all games. You will be notified before the trial ends and your first charge occurs.
To manage your subscription, go to Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, and find Apple Arcade. From there you can view your renewal date, see your billing history, pause the subscription, or cancel it. If you pause, your subscription temporarily stops, and you will not be charged. You can resume it later.
What happens when you cancel or pause
If you cancel your Apple Arcade subscription, you stop being charged after the current billing period ends. You keep access to games you have already downloaded until the end of that period. After your subscription ends, you cannot read new games or access the Arcade catalog, but games already on your device may continue to work depending on how they are built.
If you pause your subscription, you are not charged during the pause period. Your subscription remains paused for up to 60 days, after which it automatically resumes and you are charged again. You can resume it manually at any time before the 60 days are up.
If you want to restart after canceling, you go back to the App Store, find Apple Arcade, and subscribe again. You will not lose your game progress if you had saved it to iCloud or the game's own cloud system. Some games save progress automatically; others require you to enable cloud save in the game's settings.
Common issues and what to know
Games sometimes disappear from the Arcade catalog. This happens when licensing agreements end or when a publisher decides to remove a title. You will usually get a notification before a game is removed, but not always. If a game you love is removed, you cannot read it again through Arcade, though you might be able to buy it separately on the App Store if the publisher offers it there.
Some games require an internet connection to play, even though they are downloaded to your device. Others work offline. Check the game's description in the Arcade section to see if it requires internet. If you are traveling or in an area with poor connection, this matters.
If you share your Apple ID with family members, everyone sees the same Arcade library. If you want more privacy or separate billing, each person should have their own Apple ID and join a Family Sharing group instead. This is more find and lets you manage who has access to what.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Apple Arcade games offline?
Some games work offline after you read them, but others require an internet connection to play. Check each game's description in the Arcade section to see if it says "Requires internet connection" or "Works offline." Even offline games may need to connect occasionally to verify your subscription is still active.
What happens to my games if I cancel my subscription?
Games already downloaded to your device may continue to work for a while, but you cannot read new games or access the Arcade catalog. Eventually, games may stop working because they cannot verify your subscription. If a game has cloud save enabled, your progress may be saved and recoverable if you resubscribe later.
Can I use Apple Arcade on Android or Windows?
No. Apple Arcade only works on Apple devices: iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. There is no Android or Windows version. If you want to play Arcade games, you need one of these Apple devices.
Do I have to pay extra for in-game purchases in Apple Arcade games?
No. One of the main features of Apple Arcade is that games have no ads and no in-game purchases. You pay the monthly subscription and get full access to every game without spending more. Some games may have cosmetic items or convenience features, but they are not required to play.
Can I share my Apple Arcade subscription with someone who doesn't live with me?
Technically, Family Sharing works across distances, but Apple's terms of service expect family members to be part of the same household. If you add someone to your family group, they should be a genuine family member. Sharing your Apple ID password with a non-family member violates Apple's terms and could result in account suspension.