Everything You Need to Know about Game Mode in iOS 18

PDF download Download Article
Your complete guide to Game Mode in Apple's new iOS 18
PDF download Download Article

If you've updated to iOS 18, you may be wondering what the "Game Mode" pop-up means when you open up a game. Game Mode is a new feature in iOS 18 that turns on once you open a game, and it allocates more resources to the game you're playing so the game runs more smoothly. In this article, we'll go over what Game Mode does, how to enable or disable it, and explain why you should use this new feature.

iOS 18 Game Mode: Fast Facts

Game Mode is a new iOS 18 feature that helps your games run faster and smoother. It minimizes background activity so your game can run better, and it also decreases latency between your phone and Bluetooth controllers and AirPods. Game Mode is enabled by default but can be disabled when a game is open.

Section 1 of 3:

iOS 18 Game Mode Overview

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    According to Apple, Game Mode minimizes background activity when you're gaming, which allocates more resources to the game app you're playing, resulting in sharper graphics, higher frame rate, and an overall better gaming experience. [1]
    • Game Mode will be especially helpful if you play intensive games on your iPhone, such as Genshin Impact, Zenless Zone Zero, Return to Monkey Island, PUBG Mobile, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and more.
    • Additionally, Game Mode lowers the latency of wireless controllers and AirPods.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

How to Enable/Disable Game Mode

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Game Mode is enabled by default in iOS 18. However, there is no way to enable or disable it in the Settings app. You can only enable or disable Game Mode when you have a game open.
    • Note that not all games will trigger Game Mode. If you don't see the Game Mode banner pop up when opening a game, try a different one. This may or may not get fixed as Apple and app developers fix bugs with iOS 18 and/or their apps.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you miss this banner, you can instead swipe down from the top-right corner to open the Control Center and tap the game's name at the top of the screen.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you want to enable Game Mode, simply tap the Game Mode button again to enable it.
    • Note that if you disable Game Mode, you may need to restart your phone to enable it again. It's unclear if this is intended or not for Game Mode, so this may or may not get fixed in future updates to iOS 18.
    4. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Should you use Game Mode?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-IOS-18-Game-Mode-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Depending on the games you play, you may or may not see the effects of Game Mode while gaming. If you previously played CPU-intensive games on your iPhone, you likely will notice the most difference. However, having Game Mode on doesn't negatively affect your phone whether you're playing a game or not.
    • However, if you notice that Game Mode is making one of the games you play run worse, you should disable it for that game. You should also report what happens to Apple, as there might be a bug causing Game Mode to not work correctly for that particular game.

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Add an App Back to Home Screen: Tips for Finding Apps
      App Store Missing? 3 Easy Methods to Restore It on iPhone or iPad
      Is Your iPhone Hacked? How to Tell and What to Do
      6 Ways to View Your Apple ID Password—No Resetting Required
      4 Simple Ways to Fix iPhone iOS 16 "Update Requested"
      How to
      AirPlay to a Fire Stick from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac
      How to
      Connect and Access a USB Drive on iPhone or iPad
      How to
      Connect Apple AirTags to Multiple iPhones and Other Devices
      How to
      Fix iMessage is Signed Out on iPhone: 8 Quick Fixes
      Your Guide to Apple’s True Tone Display Technology & How to Use It
      No Location Found Error in Find My: Meaning and Solutions
      How to
      Downgrade and Restore Older Versions of iOS on iPhone
      How to
      Delete Application Data on iOS: 3 Easy Ways
      How to
      Fix 1st or 2nd Generation Apple Pencil Not Charging
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://apps.apple.com/us/story/id1760172878

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,669 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement