How to Disable Game Center on iOS: Try These 5 Quick Methods

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Learn how to disable Game Center and turn off those annoying notifications
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While you can't completely remove the Game Center app on your iOS device, you can keep it from functioning so that you aren't bothered by notifications for it. In this article, we'll go over a few ways you can disable Game Center on your iPhone or iPad.

How to Disable Game Center

You can disable Game Center and its notifications in a few ways: by logging out of Game Center, by disabling notifications, by turning off iCloud for Game Center, by updating your device, or by resetting your settings (though this is a last resort). All of these methods can be completed right in your Settings app.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Logging Out

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    You can find this on one of your Home screens. It may be in a folder labeled "Utilities." [1]
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    This will open the Game Center settings menu. [2]
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Disable-Game-Center-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Disable-Game-Center-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Disable-Game-Center-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Disable-Game-Center-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll likely see the same Apple ID you use for the rest of your iOS device.
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    This will sign you out of Game Center but not out of other Apple ID services like iTunes or the App Store.
    • Signing out of Game Center will allow you to disable it when you cancel on the Sign In screen four times.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Disabling Notifications

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    Return to the main Settings menu and select the "Notifications" menu. You'll find this towards the top of the list of options in the Settings app. [3]
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    This will show Game Center's notification settings.
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    This will turn off all notifications for the Game Center app.
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    Even after doing this, Game Center may still appear when certain games are loaded. This is because the games are designed to work with Game Center and will always try to open it. [4] Cancelling the window that appears four times in a row will completely disable those notifications.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Disable Game Center in iCloud

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    You can get to your Apple ID settings by clicking your name at the top of the Settings menu.
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    It should be near the middle of the screen and has an icon that's a blue cloud on a white background.
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    This will show you all the apps on your phone that can use iCloud. If an app is using iCloud, it'll be toggled on (green).
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    Scroll down to find Game Center. If it's toggled on, tap on it to toggle it off and disable Game Center from using iCloud.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Update iOS

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    Go back to the main Settings menu and tap on General .
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    If your phone or tablet isn't updated to the latest version of iOS, you may be missing out on critical bug fixes (such as a potential bug affecting the Game Center and its notifications).
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Disable-Game-Center-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Disable-Game-Center-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Disable-Game-Center-Step-15.jpg\/v4-728px-Disable-Game-Center-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This may take some time, so plug in your phone while installing updates.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Reset Settings

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    If nothing else works, you can try resetting your iPhone or iPad. This won't delete your data, but it will remove things like saved Wi-Fi passwords and your home/lock screen wallpaper.
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    The button will say iPhone or iPad depending on your device type.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Disable-Game-Center-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Disable-Game-Center-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Disable-Game-Center-Step-18.jpg\/v4-728px-Disable-Game-Center-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Make sure to follow the on-screen instructions to completely reset your device. As this may take some time, make sure your device is plugged in so it doesn't die during the process.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I delete a game from my iPad?
    Community Answer
    Hold down on the game until your apps begin shaking, then an "X" will appear in the corner, click it, and then confirm that you want to delete it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 15
  • Question
    The game has locked up my phone. I can't get out of it - what do I do?
    Community Answer
    You can always take the battery out of your phone and reinsert it and turn the phone back on. Then I would recommend deleting the game from your phone.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    I deleted a game and re-added it because of problems with game. I wanted it to be "new", but it picked up where I was. How can I change that?
    Community Answer
    Turn off your Game Center in the Settings. It will make the game be brand new and not connected to your old account.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/105022
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/105022
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/change-notification-settings-iph7c3d96bab/ios
      4. ↑ https://developer.apple.com/game-center/

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