Apple’s new gaming app could be dropping with the next iOS update

Apple’s got a new card up its sleeve, and no, it’s not just a new iPhone colourway or a redesigned widget. It’s a whole gaming hub that’s finally showing how serious the company is about keeping pace with what mobile gamers actually want.

First teased back in October, and now confirmed by Bloomberg, this new app is expected to roll out with the next iOS update. Yes, the one Apple will announce at WWDC 2025, which your phone will be nagging you to install in a few months.

Welcome to Apple’s gaming universe (for real this time)

The new gaming app is more than a shiny reskin of the long-forgotten Game Center (remember when that was a thing?). This is Apple’s play at creating a real hub where you can track achievements, battle friends on leaderboards, and get curated ‘Play Now’ recommendations that aren’t just random App Store fodder.

Imagine a slightly sleeker Xbox Game Bar, if it were designed by Apple and sprinkled with just enough polish to make it feel like a natural part of your iPhone’s ecosystem.

And it’s not just mobile either. The app will make its way to Macs, and rumours say it’ll even support third-party games downloaded outside the App Store. Hello, Steam crossover potential?

Apple’s version of a gaming command centre will keep you looped in with your game library, progress tracking, and even highlight seasonal events and major game updates. The social aspect? They’re cooking up something slick. Think FaceTime or iMessage chats happening while you’re racking up headshots in Call of Duty: Mobile or snagging your crown in Stumble Guys.

ALSO READ: 5 new games coming to Apple Arcade in May 2025

For devs, the gaming app opens the door for App Clips integration. Picture this – a bite-sized mini-game you can play instantly while waiting for your Uber, kind of like how Nintendo dabbles with bite-sized Switch Online games, but for mobile.

Apple also just acquired RAC7, the studio behind Sneaky Sasquatch, one of Apple Arcade’s sleeper hits that’s been quietly ruling the charts with its quirky open-world antics. It’s a bold statement that Apple isn’t just curating games anymore, they’re owning the studios making them.

When’s it dropping?

Apple’s not saying much, but the official reveal is set for WWDC, kicking off on June 9. Expect the next iOS update to bring the gaming app to iPhones, with the Mac version hot on its heels.

Oh, and if the whispers are true, iOS 19 may be replaced by iOS 26, and the gaming app is confirmed for that big software refresh. If you want to experience Apple’s latest iOS version, you can check out the phones below.

For mobile gamers who’ve felt like iPhones were just decent for Candy Crush but not really in the same league as, say, a dedicated gaming phone, this is Apple’s power-up. Whether you’re flexing your Clash Royale ladder climb or just vibing with Honkai: Star Rail, Apple’s finally crafting a playground where it feels like the controller’s firmly in your hand.