Google Bringing Stadia Cloud Gaming Service to iOS Through Web App

Google today announced that Stadia, its cloud gaming service, will be coming to iPhone and iPad in the near future through an upcoming web app. Since launch, Google has not been able to bring Stadia to iOS devices because of Apple's restrictions on cloud gaming services.

google stadia
Apple in August said that cloud gaming services were allowed on the App Store, but that each individual game must be submitted to be reviewed by Apple's ‌App Store‌ team. Submitting hundreds of games to the ‌App Store‌ is so far not something any cloud gaming service has wanted to do, and those services are instead opting for web access.

Google is working on a progressive web version of Stadia that will run on Safari, and a public beta test will be available in the coming weeks.

Microsoft is also developing a web-based version of its xCloud gaming service, and Amazon's Luna game service works on iOS devices using the web browser. Just today, NVIDIA announced browser support for its streaming gaming service GeForce NOW, with plans to bring Fortnite back to iOS devices.

Google launched Stadia one year ago today, allowing subscribers to play cloud-based games on compatible laptops, PCs, Macs, phones, and tablets. Stadia requires an internet connection of 10Mb/s or more, and while it's free to use, games must be purchased. Google also offers Stadia Pro for $10 per month with access to some free games and higher resolution streaming rates.

According to Google, more than 80 games have been added to Stadia over the last year, and starting soon, Google will be offering free-to-play content even for non subscribers.

Tag: Google

Top Rated Comments

Reason077 Avatar
45 months ago
Apple's prohibition on streaming services needs to end. Why is streaming games via Stadia any different to streaming movies and TV shows on Netflix or Amazon Prime? And they can be used via the web, but not a first-class app that would provide a better user experience? So silly!

Does Apple require Netflix to submit all their content for approval? I don't think so.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GeoStructural Avatar
45 months ago

Apple's prohibition on streaming services needs to end. Why is streaming games via Stadia any different to streaming movies and TV shows on Netflix or Amazon Prime? And they can be used via the web, but not a first-class app that would provide a better user experience? So silly!

Does Apple require Netflix to submit all their content for approval? I don't think so.
Because 85% of AppStore's income comes from games, and Apple wants that juicy 30%.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Reason077 Avatar
45 months ago

Why should Apple allow other companies to use their platform to market their competing platform.
For the same reason that Apple allows Netflix, Amazon, Spotify, and a million other third-party apps on iOS? Great app support sells more iOS devices.


It’s like Target putting up a tent in the Walmart parking lot selling their wares to people coming to Walmart
... and then giving them 30% of the proceeds? I don't think Walmart would mind!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jman240 Avatar
45 months ago
I think it's great that Safari has gotten to a point where this is possible. I also think its stupid that Apple has these restrictions so companies have to go this route.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArtOfWarfare Avatar
45 months ago
If Apple wants to retain any control of apps on iOS, they need to dramatically loosen rules or else everyone is going to just make web apps instead.

Cutting what they keep from developers making under $1M in half is a good move, but they really need to permit other native stores or we'll all just switch to web stores.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hlfway2anywhere Avatar
45 months ago
In before “wHo tHiNkS aPpLe WiLL sOmEHoW bLoCk tHiS?”
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Delta Feature

Delta Game Emulator Now Available From App Store on iPhone

Wednesday April 17, 2024 9:58 am PDT by
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of...
iOS NES Emulator Bimmy Feature

NES Emulator for iPhone and iPad Now Available on App Store [Removed]

Tuesday April 16, 2024 11:33 am PDT by
The first approved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator for the iPhone and iPad was made available on the App Store today following Apple's rule change. The emulator is called Bimmy, and it was developed by Tom Salvo. On the App Store, Bimmy is described as a tool for testing and playing public domain/"homebrew" games created for the NES, but the app allows you to load ROMs for any...
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Translate

All iPhone 16 Models to Feature Action Button, But Usefulness Debated

Tuesday April 16, 2024 6:54 am PDT by
Last September, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch ...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With the New App Store Delta Game Emulator

Wednesday April 17, 2024 12:19 pm PDT by
A decade ago, developer Riley Testut released the GBA4iOS emulator for iOS, and since it was against the rules at the time, Apple put a stop to downloads. Emulators have been a violation of the App Store rules for years, but that changed on April 5 when Apple suddenly reversed course and said that it was allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
iOS 18 Siri Integrated Feature

iOS 18 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Friday April 12, 2024 11:11 am PDT by
iOS 18 is expected to be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. iOS 18 is rumored to include new generative AI features for Siri and many apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved texting experience between iPhones and Android devices. The update is also expected to introduce a more...