Apple Arcade, Apple’s innovative game subscription service, has redefined the gaming experience on iOS, Mac, and Apple TV. This service offers a unique approach to mobile and desktop gaming, emphasizing quality, diversity, and user experience.
Concept and Launch
Introduced in March 2019 and launched in September of the same year, Apple Arcade was envisioned as a “Netflix for games.” It promised a new way to access a vast array of games for a monthly subscription fee, without the usual hindrances of ads and in-app purchases. At launch, Apple Arcade boasted over 100 games, with titles from renowned developers and publishers like Capcom, Sega, and Konami.
How does Apple Arcade work?
With Apple Arcade, users can access a vast library of games without ads or in-app purchases. The service is available on all devices that support iOS 13, iPadOS 13, macOS Catalina, and tvOS 13 or later.
Once subscribed, users can browse through the library of games and download as many games as they want to play offline. The games are regularly updated and new titles are added every month.
How much is Apple Arcade per month?
Apple Arcade provides unlimited access to over 200 premium games, including new releases, award winners, and beloved favorites from the App Store. The subscription costs $6.99 per month and allows for up to six family members to use the service under one account. The service is divided into three main categories:
- Apple Arcade Originals: Exclusive, mobile-only games that showcase the best of what developers can offer on the App Store.
- Timeless Classics: A collection of classic games, including card and board games, reimagined for a modern audience.
- App Store Greats: Some of the best iPhone and iPad games from the past decade, now available without in-app purchases.
Games on Apple Arcade span various genres, including action, strategy, puzzle, and adventure, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Subscribing to Apple Arcade: A Step-by-Step Guide
Subscribing to Apple Arcade is a straightforward process on your Apple device. Here’s what you need to do:
- Access the App Store: Start by opening the App Store on your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac.
- Navigate to the Arcade Section: Look for and select the ‘Arcade’ tab within the App Store.
- Choose Your Subscription Option: If you’re new to Apple Arcade, you’ll see an option to ‘Try It Free.’ If you’ve used Apple Arcade before, the option will be ‘Start Playing.’
- Complete the Subscription Process: Follow the prompts to see the payment terms. You’ll need to confirm your choice to proceed with the subscription.
- Switching to an Annual Subscription: Initially, Apple Arcade offers a monthly subscription at $6.99 per month. However, you can change to an annual plan. On an iPhone or iPad, go to ‘Settings,’ tap your account name at the top, and select ‘Subscriptions.’ For Apple TV, this option is under ‘Users and Accounts.’ From there, choose Apple Arcade and select the ‘Apple Arcade Annual (1 Year)’ option. On a Mac, open the App Store app, click your account name in the bottom left, go to ‘Account Settings’ at the top, scroll down to ‘Manage,’ find Apple Arcade in your Subscriptions, and click ‘Edit’ to switch.
How to Get Apple Arcade for Free
- Free Trial – Apple Arcade offers a three-month free trial, so you can try it out and see if it’s worth the cost.
- Share With Family – If you have an Apple Family Sharing plan, you can share your Apple Arcade subscription with up to five other people.
- Apple One Bundle – Apple One is a bundle that includes several Apple services, including Apple Arcade. If you subscribe to the bundle, you’ll get access to Apple Arcade at a discounted price.
- Gift Cards – You can use gift cards to pay for your Apple Arcade subscription. If you’re lucky, you might receive gift cards as gifts from friends or family.
- Rewards Programs – Some rewards programs, such as MyPoints or Swagbucks, offer gift cards that can be used to pay for Apple Arcade subscriptions.
- Free Games – While Apple Arcade offers exclusive games, there are many free games available on the App Store that are just as entertaining.
- Referral Programs – Some apps or websites offer referral programs that give you rewards or cash for referring new users. You can use these rewards to pay for your Apple Arcade subscription.
How to cancel Apple Arcade
If you wish to cancel your Apple Arcade subscription, you can do so by following these steps:
- Open the App Store on your device.
- Tap on your profile picture located in the upper-right corner.
- Scroll down and tap on ‘Subscriptions.’
- Find and select the Apple Arcade subscription.
- Tap ‘Cancel Subscription.’
- Follow the prompts to confirm the cancellation.
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