Since iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, you can use an advanced game mode on an iPhone or iPad. Although these platforms are mainly known for playing small games, Apple wants to get more out of your iPhone and iPad with this game mode, so that you can also play big games.
The latest iPhone and iPad models in particular have advanced chips with more computing power than ever. Not only in terms of general performance, but certainly also graphics. Game mode ensures that the game takes priority and certain tasks and processes are optimized.
Advantages of game mode iPhone and iPad
When Game Mode is active, iOS and iPadOS gives the highest CPU and GPU (graphics) priority to the game, reducing usage for background tasks. Which will result in higher frame rates and a better gaming experience.
Game mode also ensures that the Bluetooth delay between the iPhone or iPad and some AirPods models is drastically reduced. In addition, the Bluetooth transmission speed with PlayStation and Xbox controllers is doubled.
Enable Game Mode for iPhone or iPad
As an iPhone or iPad user, you have no influence on enabling game mode. Apple has automated this process and will only enable it when you start a game.
Open a game on your iPhone or iPad and it will usually play in full screen immediately. On an iPad, Split View or Stage Manager might overcome this, as you have to display the game full screen before game mode becomes active.
A notification will appear on the screen when the special game mode is activated. The CPU and GPU are then prioritized and Bluetooth sampling speed is improved, reducing input latency and audio latency for wireless accessories such as game controllers and AirPods.
Turn off game mode
Game mode is automatically turned off when you leave the app, close it, or stop playing the game in full screen. You can also manually disable Game Mode even while playing.
- Open the control panel
- Tap the game name at the top with ‘Game mode’
- Put the Game mode off via the appropriate button
The mode will remain disabled for this game until you manually enable it again from the control panel. Even if you quit and reopen the game, this will remain disabled until manually enabled again.
Game mode and AirPods
Since iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, the AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro or AirPods Max have access to personal spatial audio with dynamic head tracking while gaming. This allows you to enjoy the same immersive audio that you are used to when playing music or watching films and series.
The AirPods Pro 2nd generation feature the fastest wireless audio transmission that Apple ever offered for mobile games, making AirPods respond even faster and hear all the details. For consultation with teammates and other players, the voice quality of AirPods Pro has also been improved, including 16-bit audio at 48 kHz.