Summary
- Apple plans to launch an Xbox-like gaming hub app across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.
- The app merges Game Center, Apple Arcade, and App Store gaming features.
- Mac users can launch games even if downloaded outside the App Store, like from Steam.
Apple’s Xbox-Like Gaming Hub Coming This Fall
Apple is stepping deeper into gaming by developing a new app that acts as a central hub for all your installed games across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. According to Bloomberg, the Xbox-like gaming app will allow players to track achievements, join leaderboards, and launch games directly—similar to the Xbox app on mobile or Google Play Games on Android.
Expected to arrive with iOS 19 and macOS updates this September, the app could also appear earlier through the iOS 19 beta. On Macs, it’s even more flexible, letting you launch titles installed outside the App Store, such as games from Steam.
A Unified Gaming Experience with Social Features
This initiative aims to unify Apple Arcade, Game Center, and the App Store under one umbrella. Beyond just organizing games, the app is rumored to integrate iMessage and FaceTime for richer social interactions, possibly letting you challenge friends or share gaming highlights easily.
Additionally, Apple has recently acquired its first gaming studio, RAC7, creators of Sneaky Sasquatch. While Apple hasn’t announced major new projects for the studio yet, the purchase signals Apple’s growing ambitions in the gaming space.
What’s Next for Apple’s Gaming Push?
The Xbox-like gaming app is set to be revealed at the upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), where Apple typically showcases its biggest software updates. With rising competition from handheld devices and cloud gaming platforms, Apple seems eager to position itself more firmly as a gaming-friendly ecosystem.
For now, gamers can look forward to a more unified and streamlined experience across Apple’s platforms, whether they’re on mobile, desktop, or TV. Stay tuned for WWDC announcements for all the official details.
