How to Play Apple Arcade Games Offline

Last updated June 16, 2021
Written by:
Novak Bozovic
Novak Bozovic
Tech & VPN Content Specialist

When first announced, Apple noted that you could play Apple Arcade games anywhere – and even offline. However, this side of Apple’s game subscription service can be quite confusing. With that said, let’s talk about how to play Apple Arcade games offline.

There’s no official list of Apple Arcade games that are 100% playable offline. Therefore, the following method works with most games – but there’s no guarantee that it’ll work with the entire Apple Arcade catalog.

Before we continue, an important note. Keep in mind that Apple Arcade isn’t a cloud gaming service. Instead, you pay for access to games that are designed to run locally - on your device.

Therefore, when talking playing Apple Arcade games offline, we’re talking about how to start and play those games offline – as their files are already on your device. And in that case, know that not all Apple Arcade games can start offline.

Related: Microsoft and Facebook Object Apple’s Approach on Streaming Game Services

Finally, here’s our step-by-step guide on how to play Apple Arcade games offline:

1. First, visit the App Store on your device.

2. Select the ‘Arcade’ tab at the bottom of your screen.

Download a Game from Apple Arcade

Image Courtesy of Apple.

3. Now, download any game to your download – and wait until this process is done.

4. Return to your Home Screen and launch the game you’ve just downloaded.

Airplane Mode for Playing Apple Arcade Offline

Image Courtesy of Apple.

5. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to reveal the Control Panel.

6. Then, tap on ‘Airplane Mode’ in the top-left corner of the screen.

Playing Apple Arcade Game

Image Courtesy of Apple.

7. Feel free to play the game as well – as you’re now playing it offline.

FAQ

Does Apple Arcade Require an Internet Connection?

Yes – Apple Arcade requires a Web connection to sign-up, access the service, and download games. You also need an Internet connection to start any game, as this is how your Apple Arcade account is authenticated.

Can You Download Apple Arcade Games Without Being Online?

No – there’s no way to download Apple Arcade games if you’re not connected to the Web. You need to be connected to either a Wi-Fi network or a cellular Internet.

Do You Have to be Connected to the Web to Launch Apple Arcade Games?

Yes – it appears that you need to be connected to the Web when starting a game. This is required for your Apple Arcade account to be authenticated – and this applies to most games in Apple’s game subscription service.

Will You Lose Your Progress if Your Play Both Online & Offline?

There were some reports online about offline games deleting previously saved files. This is most likely an Apple Arcade glitch and might be resolved in the future. At the moment, this is primarily an online service that uses the Web to authenticate your account.

So, that would be all on playing Apple Arcade games offline. If you have any questions, make sure to post a comment below. And also, don’t forget to share this article online. Thanks - and enjoy using Apple Arcade!



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