If you’re a fan of Respawn’s fast-paced battle royale and prefer gaming on the go, you’ve probably asked yourself at least once: is apex legends coming to mobile? I’ve sunk hundreds of hours into Apex on both PC and console, and I get this question from my casual player friends at least once a month. The short answer right now isn’t a simple yes or no, but there’s a lot of official news, community leaks, and developer hints that paint a clear picture of what’s coming for handheld Apex fans. We’re breaking down all the confirmed details, rumors, and practical tips you need to stay in the loop.
What Happened to the Original Apex Legends Mobile Launch?
Longtime fans might remember that Apex Legends Mobile launched globally in May 2022 as a standalone title built in partnership with Tencent’s Lightspeed & Quantum studio. It hit over 10 million downloads in its first week, and shot to the top of app store charts in 60+ countries. It had its own exclusive legends, maps, and event pass, separate from the PC and console versions of the game.
But things didn’t go as planned for the mobile release. Just 12 months after launch, EA and Respawn announced they would shut down the game entirely in May 2023. The main reason cited was a mismatch between player expectations and the team’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality content updates. The mobile version was always 3-4 patches behind the main game, and many players felt like they were playing a watered-down, outdated version of the Apex they knew and loved.
I played the original mobile release for about six months, and I saw the gaps firsthand. While the touch controls were solid, the lack of cross-progression meant I couldn’t use my rare Wraith heirloom or my ranked progress from my PC account. I also grew frustrated when the new legend Vantage launched on PC, but mobile players had to wait three months to get her. Most of my friend group stopped playing after the first two seasons, so queue times got longer and longer for higher-ranked matches.
Is Apex Legends Coming to Mobile Again After the 2023 Shutdown?
Right after the shutdown, Respawn told fans they hadn’t abandoned the idea of bringing Apex to mobile long-term. Then, in a Q3 2023 earnings call, EA CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed that the studio was working on a new, improved mobile version of the game. Respawn Entertainment has since stated that the new mobile project will not be a standalone title like the 2022 release, which is a huge win for players who wanted more consistency across platforms.
That means the new version will be built to sync with the main Apex Legends patch cycle, so new legends, maps, and limited-time events will drop at the same time on mobile as they do on PC and console. Leaks from reliable Apex insiders suggest the team is currently testing cross-progression support, so you’ll be able to log into your existing EA account and access all your skins, rank, and in-game currency no matter what device you’re playing on.
There’s no confirmed release date yet, but industry insiders expect a soft launch in select Southeast Asian markets by late 2024, with a global rollout coming 3-6 months after that. The team is taking extra time to optimize the game for a wider range of devices, so it won’t be limited to only high-end flagship phones like a lot of other high-profile mobile shooters.
You don’t have to worry about another sudden shutdown either. Respawn has stated that they’re investing three times as many resources into the new mobile project as they did for the 2022 release, with a dedicated team that works alongside the main Apex development team to make sure content stays in sync.
What Features Would a New Apex Legends Mobile Release Include?
Based on official teases and community surveys Respawn has sent to former mobile players, we have a pretty clear idea of what features the team is prioritizing for the new release. The most requested features from players include:
- Full cross-progression with PC and console accounts, so you don't lose your legendary skins, heirlooms, or rank progress when switching between devices
- 1:1 content sync with the main Apex Legends patch cycle, meaning new legends, maps, and limited-time events drop at the same time across all platforms
- Fully customizable touch controls and native controller support for both casual players and competitive mobile esports athletes
- Performance modes that let you prioritize frame rate, graphics quality, or battery life depending on your device and play style
Cross-progression is the most requested feature by former Apex Legends Mobile players, with over 87% of respondents to a 2024 community survey saying they would only try the new mobile release if it let them carry over their existing account progress. The original mobile release forced players to start from scratch, which was a huge turnoff for people who already spent hundreds of dollars and hours on the main game.
The team is also working on anti-cheat tools specifically built for mobile devices, which will cut down on the number of hackers and aimbot users that plagued the original 2022 release. I saw way more cheaters in high-ranked mobile lobbies than I ever did on PC, so this is a much-needed improvement for anyone who wants to play ranked seriously on their phone.
What Can Players Do While Waiting for a Potential Mobile Launch?
Even though we don’t have an exact release date for the new Apex mobile version, there are plenty of ways to get your Apex fix on your phone right now, or stay up to date on official news. Xbox Cloud Gaming currently supports full Apex Legends gameplay on compatible iOS and Android devices with a stable internet connection, so you can play the exact same version of the game you get on console, with full cross-progression, right on your phone.
There are a few caveats to cloud gaming, though. You’ll need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to access the service, and you’ll need a minimum 15Mbps internet connection to play without lag. It’s great for casual matches when you’re traveling, but I wouldn’t recommend it for ranked play, even on a 5G connection, because input lag can mess with your aim during close-quarters fights.
If you want to stay updated on official news, follow the official Apex Legends X (Twitter) account and sign up for email updates on the EA website. Never share your EA account credentials or credit card information with any third-party site claiming to offer early access or pre-registration for the new mobile release, because almost all of these sites are scams designed to steal your personal information. I’ve seen at least a dozen fake pre-registration sites pop up in the last six months, so always double check that any link you click is from an official EA or Respawn account.
If you’re craving a fast-paced mobile battle royale in the meantime, there are a few solid options that feel similar to Apex. Games like Farlight 84 and Call of Duty Mobile have similar movement mechanics and hero-based gameplay, so they can hold you over until the new Apex mobile release drops.
At the end of the day, the answer to whether is apex legends coming to mobile is a very likely yes, just not in the same form as the 2022 release you might have played before. The team is taking the time to fix all the mistakes that led to the original shutdown, and the new version is shaping up to be exactly what mobile players have been asking for for years. Keep an eye on official announcements, avoid scam links, and you’ll be dropping into King’s Canyon on your phone before you know it.