No Man's Sky iOS launches with the FORSAKEN update

No Man's Sky on iOS arrived alongside the FORSAKEN update. Hello Games has brought the full game to iPhone and iPad for the first time with a free trial, while FORSAKEN adds eerie traders, biomechanical ships and courier missions on every platform.

Key facts

• FORSAKEN is the fifth major update of 2026, after REMNANT, XENO ARENA, THE SWARM and COSMOS
• iOS: the opening is free, the full game unlock is $19.99 on the US App Store
• Supported: iPhone 11 or newer, 3rd gen iPad Air or newer, iOS 26.0 required
• Size: 3.8 GB according to the App Store
• Limits: no multiplayer on iOS, settlements need iPhone 15 Pro or newer

What does the No Man's Sky FORSAKEN update add?

FORSAKEN is a Halloween-themed update. According to Hello Games' Steam post, players now hunt for rare haunted tech and biological horrors in the creepiest corners of the universe: derelict hulks, abandoned freighters, planetary dig sites and infested outposts.

These strange mementos attract enigmatic traders from across the galaxy. Trade them in and you get new biomechanical corvette modules, so you can give your ship an organic, unsettling look or build an entirely new one around the theme.

The rewards go beyond ships. There is a grotesque larva tank helmet and a wriggling grub cannon multi-tool for anyone who collects enough preserved grubs. New cockpits and a fresh interior set inspired by a distant galaxy round out the cosmetics.

Gameplay and quality-of-life changes

The gameplay additions may matter more than the cosmetics. Here is what Hello Games lists:

• Postal missions that turn you into a galactic courier
• A radial menu for weapon select
• A new minimal HUD mode for advanced players
• Seamless warping to bright stars you can see in the sky, no galaxy map needed
• Dozens of accessibility tweaks added as part of iOS support

On Xbox Wire, the studio said last month's COSMOS update brought a big uplift in Xbox and Game Pass players. The team says it is already deep into planning for 2027.

No Man's Sky iOS: price, devices and limits

Hello Games stresses this is not a cut-down version. The iPhone and iPad release includes more than 40 major updates, with FORSAKEN on day one. Because the universe is generated on the device, the download stays under 4 GB.

There are a few trade-offs. Planetary settlements are only supported on iPhone 15 Pro and above, and multiplayer is missing. Hello Games compares it to the first Switch launch and says it will expand support based on how many people play.

Touch controls were rebuilt from scratch. You can also use a controller, cast to a TV, or play with mouse and keyboard on iPad. The studio says it put a lot of work into battery life and heat so longer sessions stay comfortable.

One caveat: Hello Games says the trial is live from 28 October, but when we checked, the App Store listing still showed an expected date of 29 October 2026. If the download is not available yet, check again a few hours later.

Why the mobile launch matters

No Man's Sky has been on PC, Mac, Xbox and Switch for years. The iOS release makes it a portable option without a separate handheld, and the free trial lets you check performance on your own phone before paying.

New to the game? Our No Man's Sky beginner guide covers the basics, and our guide to earning units fast will help you afford those new corvette parts.

Frequently asked questions

Is No Man's Sky free on iPhone?

You can play the beginning of the game for free. The full game is a one-time unlock, listed at $19.99 on the US App Store.

Which iPhones can run No Man's Sky?

Hello Games says iPhone 11 and newer, plus 3rd generation iPad Air and newer. The App Store listing requires iOS 26.0 or later.

Does No Man's Sky on iOS have multiplayer?

No. Hello Games says multiplayer is not supported on iOS at launch, and planetary settlements need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.

Sources

• Steam: Introducing..No Man's Sky: FORSAKEN (Hello Games)
• Xbox Wire: No Man's Sky FORSAKEN
• App Store (US): No Man's Sky
• Pocket Gamer: No Man's Sky out on iOS with FORSAKEN