Whether you’re a die-hard console player or PC fanatic, you’ve probably downloaded at least a couple of games from the Apple App Store before. After all, there are plenty of them to choose from, with the latest research showing that Apple has stacked its App Store with 183,000 (and counting) different gaming apps. Many of them are free-to-play, too, so it’s not surprising that iOS gaming is more popular than it’s ever been. Best of all, the App Store is home to a nice mix of fresh games, classic titles, and a handful of hidden gems. Which should you play first? This guide has got you covered. 

Must-Have iPhone Games [Ranked]

Now that the new year is upon us, there’s no better time to take a look at the must-have iPhone games from the App Store. As long as you have an iPhone, whether it’s the brand-new iPhone 16 or one of the budget-friendly SE models, along with an official Apple account, you can head to the App Store right now and download any of the discussed games in this guide. So, let’s not waste anymore time. Here’s a ranked list of the current best iPhone games that anyone can play. 

1. Sugar Rush Slot 

Unless you’ve been living on another planet for the past five years, you’ll know that mobile slots have gotten extremely popular. One of player-favourite choices is Pragmatic Play’s Sugar Rush, which was first released back in 2022. This 7×7 candy-themed slot is the perfect modern slot game, taking iOS users on an adventure where the ultimate aim is to get as many matching candy symbols as possible. The more symbols you land, the more prizes you win — simple. 

If you want to play Sugar Rush, the great news is that you can now play on mobile using a sweepstakes casino. However, you’ll need to download a sweepstakes casino app from the Apple App Store — such as McLuck — first. Once you’ve created an account with one of these casino apps, you can then choose from hundreds of different slot games, including Sugar Rush itself. 

For those who’ve never played Sugar Rush or any type of online slot before, it’s easier than you think. Before each spin, you decide how many coins you want to bet. Once you’ve done that, you tap the spin button and wait to see where the symbols land. Sugar Rush also has a ‘tumbling feature’, where all winning combinations of symbols are replaced by new symbols (at no extra cost) that drop down from above. Essentially, this allows you to sometimes get some free bonus wins, which is a nice little treat. 

2. Block Blast!

Block Blast! is a massive hit on iOS, having been downloaded on mobile over 3.3 million times in 2024. It’s a puzzle game where you have to match colored blocks across the board, just like in the old-school tetris games. Essentially, you can think of Block Blast as the new-generation Tetris, offering a slightly more modern (and advanced) spin on the retro classic. Whether you want to play just for fun or to test your brain, it’s a must-have, especially considering that Block Blast and most other puzzle games are still free to download from the App Store. 

3. Call of Duty®: Mobile

Call of Duty is one of the biggest and most successful video game franchises of all time. So, when COD Mobile was released back in 2019 — featuring a range of classic and exclusive maps — it was inevitably going to be a huge success. As of right now, it’s been downloaded over 500 million times across iPhone and Android devices, offering players the opportunity to enjoy all the multiplayer modes they’ve come to know and love, from Team Deathmatch to Kill-Confirmed. Plus, COD Mobile also throws in a 100-player Battle Royale mode on top, so there’s also a strong appeal there for any fans of mobile battle royale games. 

4. PUBG Mobile

Do you enjoy mobile battle royales? Then PUBG Mobile should be at the top of your to-play list. Unfortunately, Fortnite mobile is still unavailable in the US for iPhone users, so the next best option is PUBG (which some players regard to be the superior battle royale, anyway). In PUGB Mobile, you can choose from solo, duo, or team modes, where you’ll be dropped into a huge map that requires you to search for weapons, go up against other players, and fight to be the last person (or team) standing. It’s a very gritty and realistic type of battle royale game — the complete opposite of Fortnite — hence why it appeals to more mature players. Give it a try and you might just find that you love it. 

5. Angry Birds 2

Angry Birds 2 is a super fun bird-slinging game where the aim is to pop the different pigs, take down their towers, and progress through different levels. The controls are incredibly easy, so there’s nothing to worry about in that regard. All you have to do is take your finger, pull back, and flick the birds, but make sure you have excellent aim. There’s also the option to play with friends and take on multi-stage levels, making this the perfect iOS game for friend groups who enjoy casual puzzle games with some challenges along the way. 

How to Download Games on iOS 

Do any of the above-mentioned iOS games sound appealing to you? Great — the next step is to actually download them and start playing. To do this, grab your iPhone, make sure you’re connected to the internet, and follow these steps:

• Open the ‘App Store’ app 
• Search for the game you want to play (e.g. Block Blast!)
• Tap the ‘Get’ Button and authenticate yourself with Face ID or a passcode
• Wait for the game to download and install 
• Open it and start playing 

To make life easy, it’s also recommended you add the game to your home screen so that you can easily play on-the-go and don’t have to waste time searching through your downloaded apps for it. 

Remember, not all iOS mobile games are available to download for free. All of the games discussed in this guide are, but it’s something to bear in mind. If you ever come across a game with a price tag, you’ll need to connect your bank account to your Apple account. This way, you’ll then be able to purchase any games that you like. 

Summary 

If you’re eager to start gaming on iPhone, you’re now up-to-date on some of the must-have iOS games to get started with. Whether you dive into the slot world in Sugar Rush or test your shooting skills in COD Mobile, you’re going to have a lot of fun. And if you want to take your experience to the next level, you might also want to attach a gaming controller to the back of your iPhone. This will then create a ‘console-like’ experience that makes playing iOS games that extra bit easier, as you’ll no longer have to control everything via touchscreen. Good luck and happy gaming!