Apple is about to turn the iPhone into a 'gaming phone'.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, introduces the Apple Arcade service. Photo: Bloomberg .

According to Bloomberg , Apple is planning to develop a new gaming tool. The application is expected to be pre-installed on iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TVs starting later this year. Some key features include launching games, managing titles, leaderboards, communication, and other gaming activities.

This move aims to enhance the gaming experience on Apple devices amidst a plethora of alternatives available to users, such as cloud services and home gaming consoles.

Apple may introduce the app at the WWDC 2025 developer conference on June 9th, a few days after the Nintendo Switch 2 goes on sale. This is also a way for Apple to solidify its position in the mobile gaming device market.

Sources indicate the app will also feature Apple-edited game recommendations, the ability to download games from the App Store catalog, and promotion of the Apple Arcade subscription. The app will replace Game Center, a social network launched in 2010 but not particularly successful.

In addition to the mobile version, Apple plans to develop a similar application for Mac computers, supporting games installed from outside sources (not from the App Store).

Information about Apple's gaming app first surfaced last year. At that time, 9to5Mac reported that the app would have multiple tabs, such as a "Play Now" tab for starting games, introductory content, and game suggestions.

“The app will also promote game events and provide information about important updates. Apple is reportedly testing the integration of iMessages and FaceTime so that players can communicate with each other,” the news site reported in October 2024.

On May 27th, Digital Trends reported that Apple had acquired RAC7 Games, a two-person studio, to expand its games and services division. This studio developed Sneaky Sasquatch , one of the successful games on Apple Arcade.

In terms of market share, the iPhone remains one of the most popular gaming devices in the world . In recent years, several developers have gradually ported console games to the iPhone, such as Resident Evil , Death Stranding , and Assassin's Creed .

Tinh nang iOS 19, tin don iOS 19, su kien WWDC 2025, choi game tren iPhone anh 1

Game Mode on iOS 18. Photo: 9to5Mac .

Approximately two-thirds of App Store revenue comes from games and in-app purchases. These purchases include virtual currency, unlocking levels, and in-game upgrades.

Mac computers have also made strides in recent years. More powerful processors have improved graphics capabilities, alongside tools that make it easier for developers to port games to the Mac platform.

Despite numerous efforts, Bloomberg notes that Apple remains a major player in the gaming industry. While new apps make it easier for users to play and interact with games, this may not be enough to change the perception that Apple products are not yet suitable for gaming.

Gaming apps are one of the many features expected to appear on iOS 19. Based on rumors, this version will have a completely new interface (codenamed Solarium), with a sleek style similar to Vision Pro.

Some rumored features in iOS 19 include AI-powered battery life management, improvements to the Translate app, live call translation via AirPods and Siri, and the ability to sync hotel Wi-Fi connections across multiple devices. Unless something changes, iOS 19 is expected to be widely released in September, around the same time the iPhone 17 goes on sale.