More than a year after Google Stadia launched, the game streaming service is finally playable on iPhone and iPad.
You can now play Google Stadia on iOS. iPhone and iPad owners will play Stadia using a web app, just like with Amazon Luna and Microsoft's xCloud, rather than a dedicated application like their Android counterparts have (via 9to5Google). This is done to get around Apple's App Store rules that require game streaming services to submit each game for review and its own App Store page.
To play Google Stadia on your iPhone or iPad, you'll first need to confirm that you're on iOS 14.3, which was released this week. Then point your web browser to stadia.google.com, log in to your Google Stadia account, tap the Share button, and then select "Add to Home Screen" to give yourself a Stadia shortcut.
You can play games on Google Stadia using touchscreen controls, but there's also support for Bluetooth controllers like the Xbox One controller and the PS4's DualShock 4 if you want more precise controls. Google makes its own Stadia controller, too.
Google Stadia is free to try, and games like Destiny 2 and Super Bomberman R are free to play as well, so you can stream those games on your iPhone or iPad right now. Google is offering a free one-month trial for Stadia Pro, its $9.99/month service that includes more free games and support for 4K HDR gaming. You also have the option of buying games like Cyberpunk 2077 a la carte to play on Stadia.
It may have taken Stadia a long time to get to the iPhone and iPad, but it's a big deal that it's finally arrived. Stadia is still a young platform that's trying to attract new players, and iOS has a large user base that can now give Google's game streaming service a try. It may not be a dedicated app, but placing a Stadia shortcut on your iPhone or iPad home screen can give you an app-like experience, and Google is sure to continue improving the Stadia experience on iOS over the coming weeks and months.
