How to Subscribe to Apple Arcade: Complete Setup Guide (270+ Games at $6.99/Month)

Apple Arcade offers instant access to over 270 ad-free games across all your Apple devices, but many users aren’t sure how to set it up or whether it’s worth the cost. This guide walks you through subscription in 5 minutes and helps you decide if it’s the right service for your gaming habits.

What is Apple Arcade?

Apple Arcade is Apple’s subscription gaming service offering over 270 curated games across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro with no advertisements or in-app purchases. Unlike Xbox Game Pass (which emphasizes AAA console ports and day-one releases with 50-400 games depending on tier as of October 2025) or PlayStation Plus (with its tiered approach), Apple Arcade focuses on exclusive indie and mobile-first titles at $6.99/month USD, making it ideal for casual players rather than hardcore gamers.

Pricing varies by region—the service costs $6.99/month in the United States or $49.99/year (approximately $4.16/month). New subscribers may be eligible for a free 1-month trial, or a 3-month free trial if you purchase a new Apple device and redeem within 90 days. Apple Arcade is available in over 150 countries, though game availability varies by device type and region—not all 270+ games appear on every device.

Current as of: November 2025

Why Use Apple Arcade?

• All games are included: No surprise in-app purchases or ads. Pay once, play everything without hidden costs—a significant advantage over free-to-play games that bombard you with monetization.

• Play on any Apple device: Start a game on iPhone during your commute, continue on iPad at home, and finish on Mac. Game progress syncs automatically when you use the same Apple Account across devices (though note that not all individual games support cross-device syncing).

• Curated for quality: Every game is hand-selected by Apple’s editorial team, meaning you avoid the clutter of hundreds of low-quality games clogging traditional app stores. This curation makes discovering games faster and more rewarding.

• Perfect for families: Apple One bundle plans (Individual $19.95/month, Family $25.95/month, or Premier $37.95/month as of November 2023) bundle Apple Arcade with Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud storage, and other services. Family Sharing allows up to 6 family members total (the organizer plus 5 others) to share your Apple Arcade subscription on their devices simultaneously.

Things to Consider

• Limited to Apple devices: Apple Arcade only works on iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs, and Apple Vision Pro. If you use Android devices or gaming consoles, you won’t access your games there. This is the trade-off for Apple’s ecosystem integration.

• Not every game works on every device: While Apple Arcade offers 270+ games, not all titles are optimized for every device. Some games are Mac-exclusive, others only work on iPad, and Vision Pro support (available on 250+ titles) requires the headset. Always check compatibility before subscribing if you have specific device preferences.

• Subscription is required to play: Unlike game purchases (where you own the game forever), Apple Arcade access stops when your subscription ends. If you cancel and resubscribe later, your saved progress remains accessible, but you must maintain an active subscription to play.

• System requirements: Apple Arcade requires iOS 13 or later, tvOS 13 or later, iPadOS 13 or later, and macOS Catalina (10.15) or later. Some Mac games may require macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later for optimal performance. Apple recommends keeping devices updated to the latest OS version for best compatibility.

How to Subscribe to Apple Arcade: Step by Step

Method 1: Subscribe via Settings (Fastest)

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac

2. Tap your Apple ID at the top of Settings (your name or profile picture)

3. Select Subscriptions (or Media & Purchases on some older iOS versions)

4. Tap Apple Arcade

5. Tap Subscribe Now to start your trial or monthly subscription

6. Confirm your billing method (automatically uses your Apple ID payment method). If you’re eligible, the screen shows promotional pricing or a free trial

7. Tap Confirm or Subscribe. Your subscription activates immediately

Method 2: Subscribe via App Store

1. Open the App Store on any Apple device

2. Tap the Arcade tab at the bottom of the screen

3. Tap the Try it Free or Subscribe button at the top of the page

4. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your subscription

5. Once confirmed, all Apple Arcade games appear in your Arcade tab—no separate app download needed. Tap any game to download and play

Method 3: Add Family Members (6-Minute Setup)

1. Open Settings and tap your Apple ID

2. Select Family Sharing (or create a family group if you haven’t already)

3. Tap Add Family Member

4. Choose Invite family members in person or Send an invitation (for remote members)

5. Enter their email address and follow the prompts

6. Once they accept the invitation and appear in your family group, they immediately access Apple Arcade on their devices when they sign in with their Apple ID

Cancel Anytime

1. Open Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions

2. Tap Apple Arcade

3. Tap Cancel Subscription

4. Confirm cancellation. Your access continues through the end of your current billing period—no immediate loss of service

There are no cancellation fees. You can resubscribe anytime and restore your saved games.

Apple Arcade is the fastest way to access 270+ curated games across all Apple devices for $6.99/month, with setup taking just 5 minutes. Whether you’re a casual player seeking quality games without distractions or a parent looking for family-friendly options your kids can share, the subscription’s value depends on your device ecosystem and gaming preferences—but the free trial makes it risk-free to test.