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How to Enable Game Mode on iPhone (iOS 18)

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Apple rolled out the stable build of iOS 18 a few days ago. As expected, the new iOS version brings a wide range of new features, customization options, new apps, etc.

One of the most interesting additions to iOS 18 is the game mode. So, what exactly is the game mode? What does it do? This article will explain the iOS 18 Game Mode in detail.

What is iOS 18 Game Mode?

As you might have guessed from the name, the Game Mode on iS 18 is a feature that forces your iPhone to focus solely on the game when you’re playing it.

It does all sorts of activities to improve your gaming experience, such as freeing up resources and reducing background activities.

Basically, it brings multiple optimizations that help you achieve better and more stable frame rates in high-end games like Genshin Impact and Pokémon GO.

In addition to these things, iOS 18’s Game Mode also reduces the latency of wireless game controllers and AirPods, improving their responsiveness.

How to Enable Game Mode on iOS 18?

If you’re using iOS 18 or any of its public or developer beta builds, the Game mode feature is available and has already been enabled.

The game mode turns on automatically when you launch a game and minimizes your iPhone’s background activity for smoother gameplay and more consistent frame rates.

Enable Game Mode on iOS 18Enable Game Mode on iOS 18

  • To use the Game Mode on iOS 18, launch a high end game.
  • When the game launches, you will see a ‘Game Mode On’ notification at the top of the screen.
  • This indicates that the Game Mode is turned on your iPhone.

How to Disable Game Mode on iPhone?

If you don’t want to limit the background activities of apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, etc., you may want to turn off the Game Mode on your iPhone. Here’s how you can turn off Game mode on your iPhone.

Disable Game Mode on iPhoneDisable Game Mode on iPhone

  • Open the game. When the pop-up alert ‘Game Mode On’ appears, tap on it to disable the feature.
  • Alternatively, open the Control Center while playing the game.
  • On the top of the control center, tap the game’s name.
  • Now, you will be able to see the Game Mode toggle. Tap on it to disable it.

Which iPhones are compatible with Game Mode?

Not all iPhones will have the Game Mode feature. This is because Game Mode is introduced in iOS 18, and not all iPhones will receive the iOS 18 Update.

So, basically, the Game Mode will be available on every iPhone supported by iOS 18. Here’s a list of all iPhones compatible with Game Mode:

iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd gen)
iPhone 12, 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
iPhone 13, 13 mini
iPhone 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
iPhone SE (3rd gen)
iPhone 14, 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
iPhone 15, 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
iPhone 16, 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max

Which Games Support the Game Mode on iOS 18?

Even though there are no specific hardware requirements for the game mode, the feature is still not compatible with every game.

It will turn on automatically for specific games but won’t turn on for every game. It currently supports major game titles like Brawl Stars, Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, etc.

This article explains game mode on iOS 18 and how you can enable and disable it on your iPhone. If you need more help with this topic, let us know in the comments. Also, if you find this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with your friends.