No Man’s Sky is bringing its exploration universe to iPhone and iPad, with Hello Games announcing an October 28, 2026 release. A free opening section will let you see how a game familiar from PC and consoles fits the way you play on a phone before buying it.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Announced launch | October 28, 2026; the US App Store currently expects October 29 |
| Purchase model | Free opening section, one-time full-game unlock |
| Reference price | US$19.99 on the US App Store; check your storefront |
| Publisher’s device baseline | iPhone 11 and third-generation iPad Air or newer |
| App Store OS requirement | iOS / iPadOS 26 or later |
| Listed download size | Around 3.8 GB |
What does No Man’s Sky keep on mobile?
Hello Games says the iOS version includes the full universe to explore and more than 40 major updates, including COSMOS. It also includes Voyagers content, which lets players build their own large starships.
Moving the game to touch screens involves much more than walking across a planet: players also fly ships, operate vehicles and manage inventories. Hello Games says it rebuilt touch controls for mobile. Controllers and TV casting are supported, along with mouse and keyboard on iPad.
Promotional images show both spaceflight and underwater exploration running on iPhones. How those controls feel and how much battery a session uses are things worth checking in the trial rather than judging from promotional footage.
Which devices are supported, and what is missing?
Hello Games names iPhone 11 and third-generation iPad Air as its device baseline. The App Store requires iOS or iPadOS 26 or later, so check the listing on the device you intend to use before downloading.
Multiplayer is not supported on iOS. Planetary settlements, however, are supported on iPhone 15 Pro and above, according to Hello Games. That limitation does not mean the feature has been removed from every mobile device.
The App Store lists a download of around 3.8 GB, consistent with the studio’s under-4GB announcement. A small download does not mean all supported devices will perform alike, and this announcement does not promise one frame rate across every device.
How does the free trial and full unlock work?
The US App Store listing describes a free opening section and a one-time US$19.99 purchase to unlock the full game. That is the US storefront price; check the amount displayed on your own account.
Hello Games announces October 28, 2026, while the US App Store currently shows an expected October 29 release. If you want to download at launch, follow the date displayed on your account’s store; the two listings currently differ.
OtaHub’s take
The trial is useful for tasks a trailer cannot communicate well: switching between walking and flying, organising inventory and reading the interface on a small screen. Solo explorers can use the opening to see whether that routine suits them; people who mainly play with friends should account for the lack of multiplayer.
FAQ
Do you need a controller?
No. Hello Games rebuilt touch controls for iOS; controllers are also supported as an alternative.
Sources: Hello Games iOS announcement, October 12, 2026; US App Store: purchase, size and compatibility.
Image credits: Hello Games, via Noisy Pixel.
