Apple explains what happens when games leave Apple Arcade

A new support document from Apple highlights what happens when games exit Apple Arcade and for how long you can play them after that.

The support page has gone live after Apple added a “Leaving Arcade Soon” section to the App Store highlighting 15 games due to exit the program soon.

Apple Arcade games are playable for two weeks after leaving the service

In a support document titled “Apple Arcade game releases and updates,” the company says sometimes games might leave the service. You can continue playing a removed-but-downloaded game for two weeks. After that, a “No Longer Available” message will pop up when you try to launch it.

So, if you are enjoying an Apple Arcade game that’s due to leave soon, better try to finish it within a couple of weeks after it exits the program.

Sometimes, developers might make their games available on the App Store after their Apple Arcade exit. However, their builds can differ slightly. In such cases, it will be up to developers to allow you to load your saved game progress. If not, you will have to start your progress in the game from scratch. Otherwise, you can start playing the game from the same point where you left it in the Arcade version.

A previous report detailed the Cupertino giant signed a three-year agreement with game developers when Apple Arcade first launched. That time is now coming to an end. The company is not renewing all the contracts, leading to some games exiting the service.

Apple Arcade boasts over 200 free-to-play games

Apple typically adds new games to Apple Arcade at least once every Friday. It has also removed games from the service in the past, but now it is being more explicit about them with a dedicated App Store section.

‌Apple Arcade‌‌‌ costs $4.99 per month. It includes more than 200 new and original free-to-play titles. With Family Sharing, you can even share your Apple Arcade subscription with up to six family members.