Google Bringing Stadia Cloud Gaming Service to iOS Through Web App

Thursday November 19, 2020 8:37 am PST by Juli Clover

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

37 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

Because 85% of AppStore's income comes from games, and Apple wants that juicy 30%.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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

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.

ArtOfWarfare

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.

hlfway2anywhere

In before “wHo tHiNkS aPpLe WiLL sOmEHoW bLoCk tHiS?”

Read All Comments