If you’re a die-hard Apex Legends fan who spends a lot of time away from your PC or console, you’ve almost certainly typed is apex legends on mobile ios into your search bar at least once. The fast-paced battle royale is perfect for quick matches on the go, but there’s a ton of conflicting information online about whether you can actually play it on your iPhone or iPad. Some sources say it’s available right now, others claim it’s never coming to mobile, and a few even link to sketchy download sites that promise a working port. We’ve dug through official announcements, tested every available play method, and put together this guide to cut through the noise and give you all the facts you need.
Is Apex Legends on Mobile iOS Right Now? The Official Answer
Let’s cut straight to the most important question first. There is no native, officially supported Apex Legends Mobile app available for iOS on the Apple App Store as of the latest official updates from Respawn Entertainment and EA. That doesn’t mean there was never a version, though. Back in 2022, Respawn launched a dedicated mobile version of Apex Legends in partnership with Tencent, and it was available for both Android and iOS devices for a little over a year.
Unfortunately, the companies announced they would be shutting down the mobile version in May 2023, and it was removed from all app stores shortly after. The official reasoning was that the game didn’t meet their long-term expectations for content updates and player experience, so they decided to end support to focus on other projects. If you previously downloaded the app before it was removed, it won’t launch anymore, as all servers were taken offline permanently after the shutdown date.
A lot of players were caught off guard by the shutdown, especially since the mobile version had amassed millions of downloads in its first month alone. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you can’t play Apex Legends on your iOS device at all. There are still plenty of legitimate ways to jump into a match when you’re away from your main setup, as long as you know where to look.
Workarounds to Play Apex Legends on Your iOS Device
While you can’t download a native Apex Legends app from the App Store right now, there are three main ways you can play the full version of the game on your iPhone or iPad, each with its own pros and cons. We’ve tested all of them to give you a clear breakdown of what works, what doesn’t, and what you should avoid.
- Cloud gaming services: Platforms that stream the full PC/console version of Apex Legends to your iOS device via a stable internet connection, no local download required. All processing is done on the service’s remote servers, so you don’t need a high-end device to run the game smoothly.
- Remote play from your own device: Stream Apex Legends directly from your home PlayStation, Xbox, or gaming PC to your iPhone or iPad using official first-party apps. The game runs on your own hardware at home, so you just send control inputs from your mobile device and get a video feed back in real time.
- Third-party mobile ports (not recommended): Unofficial fan-made versions of the game that are not vetted by EA or Respawn, and carry significant security risks. These are usually hosted on unregulated third-party app stores that don’t have the same security checks as the official App Store.
Cloud gaming is easily the most popular option for most players right now. Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now both support Apex Legends, and you can access them directly through your Safari browser on iOS, no app download needed. You will need a paid subscription for most of these services, though, and you’ll need a consistent internet connection of at least 10Mbps to avoid lag. For best results, connect to a 5GHz WiFi network or a strong 5G cellular connection.
Remote play is a great free alternative if you already own a copy of Apex Legends on a console or gaming PC. Both PlayStation and Xbox have official remote play apps for iOS, and Steam Link works perfectly for PC players. The biggest catch here is that your home device has to be turned on and connected to the internet while you’re playing, and you’ll get better performance if both your home device and your iOS device are connected to the same WiFi network. We strongly advise against downloading any unlicensed Apex Legends apps for iOS from third-party stores, as they violate EA’s terms of service and put your personal data at risk. Many of these apps contain malware that can steal your account credentials or payment information, and you could get your main Apex Legends account permanently banned if you use them.
What to Expect From Future Apex Legends iOS Releases
The good news for mobile players is that the 2023 shutdown of the original Apex Legends Mobile doesn’t mean the game is gone from mobile forever. Respawn has confirmed that a new version of Apex Legends Mobile is in active development, though no iOS launch window has been announced publicly yet. The team has stated that this new version will be built from the ground up for mobile devices, with better optimization, more consistent content updates, and support for global regions from day one.
Unlike the original mobile version, which was a separate build with its own exclusive content and player progression, the new version is rumored to have some level of cross-progression with the PC and console versions of the game. That means you might be able to carry over your skins, ranked progress, and unlocks between your mobile account and your main account, though Respawn hasn’t confirmed those details yet. The team has also said they’re focused on making the new mobile version fair for competitive play, with balanced controls for both touch and controller users.
There’s no exact release date for the new Apex Legends Mobile yet, but industry insiders predict it could launch sometime in the next 12 to 18 months. If you want to be one of the first people to know when the iOS version drops, you can sign up for email updates on EA’s official Apex Legends website, or follow Respawn’s social media accounts for regular announcements. They usually run closed beta tests a few months before a full launch, so you might even get a chance to try the game early if you sign up for testing.
Tips for the Best Apex Legends Experience on iOS
Whether you’re using cloud gaming or remote play to enjoy Apex Legends on your iOS device, there are a few simple tweaks you can make to drastically improve your gameplay experience. Most of these take just a couple of minutes to set up, and they’ll make a huge difference in how well you perform in matches, especially in ranked lobbies.
First, invest in a compatible Bluetooth controller if you don’t already have one. You can use official PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, or MFi-certified mobile controllers with any iOS device, and they connect in just a few seconds via Bluetooth. Using a compatible Bluetooth controller will cut your reaction time in half and make gameplay far more competitive than default touch controls. Touch controls work fine for casual matches, but you’ll be at a serious disadvantage against players using controllers if you’re trying to climb the ranked ladder.
Next, make sure your internet connection is as stable as possible before you start playing. If you’re using cellular data, stick to 5G if it’s available in your area, and avoid playing in crowded areas where lots of people are using the same cell tower. If you’re on WiFi, connect to a 5GHz network instead of a 2.4GHz one, as it has faster speeds and less interference. Always test your connection speed before starting a ranked match to avoid unexpected lag that could cost you a win. You can use any free speed test app to check your ping and download speed before you jump into a lobby.
You should also adjust your in-game settings to match your connection speed. If you’re experiencing lag, lower the stream resolution and turn off any unnecessary visual effects to prioritize frame rate. Most cloud gaming services let you adjust these settings directly in their menu, so you can find a balance between visual quality and performance that works for you. If you’re using touch controls, take a few minutes to customize the button layout to fit your hand size and play style. You can move buttons around, resize them, and even hide controls you don’t use often to make the screen less cluttered.
So now you have the full answer to is apex legends on mobile ios, plus all the workarounds, updates, and tips you need to play the game while you wait for the official mobile launch. While the lack of a native iOS app is frustrating for a lot of players, the cloud gaming and remote play options work surprisingly well for both casual and competitive play, as long as you have a solid internet connection. Keep an eye on official Respawn announcements for news about the new mobile version, and you’ll be one of the first people to jump into a match when it finally hits the App Store.