Apple Arcade games asking to buy full version during free trial

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Level 1

4 points

Apple Arcade games asking to buy full version during free trial

I just started wondering into Apple Arcade and got myself a month of free trial. Upon signing up, it advertised as “no ads, no in-app purchase, free game”, but when I tried to play certain games, it says to buy the full game. This has happened to at least two games which I downloaded. I haven’t seen an entirely full game that is free. Is this right? Then what am I paying for? Just to lift the ads?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Arcade Trial no free game?

iPhone 13, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 28, 2025 3:12 AM

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Answer 1

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Servant of Cats

Level 7

32,717 points

Oct 17, 2025 9:13 PM in response to Sugarlitter

The Apple Arcade service is a subscription service. As long as you keep paying for the service, you can play all of the games that are part of the Apple Arcade service – and there should be no additional charges or ads. The Apple Arcade service does not include all of the games that are in the App Store – just ones that developers have chosen to submit for inclusion in the Apple Arcade service, and that Apple has accepted. (Presumably Apple divides up a lot of your monthly subscription fee among the developers based upon which of the subscription games are most popular.)

I haven't installed iOS 26 on my phone yet, but it looks like the Games app might be for managing all games – not just the ones that are part of the Apple Arcade subscription service. Much like how the Music app supports both listening to music purchased on CDs or from the iTunes Store, and supports the Apple Music subscription service.

Note that some games have both Apple Arcade versions and non-Apple-Arcade versions.

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Answer 2

Sugarlitter Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 30, 2025 2:21 AM in response to Sugarlitter

Wait, I just realized Arcade app includes other games that are not within the Apple Arcade (free games). I think Apple Arcade only provides a number of free games, so this is probably due to my own misunderstanding.

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