By TechCrunch | Created at 2026-08-11 18:05:17 | Updated at 2026-08-11 19:15:21
3 hours ago
Image Credits:Apple/Hungry Studio8:33 AM PDT · August 11, 2026
The most downloaded mobile game last year has just landed on Apple’s subscription gaming service, Apple Arcade. On Tuesday, Apple announced the addition of Block Blast!+, an ad-free version of the popular puzzle game that has around 725 million lifetime installs, according to app intelligence provider Appfigures. Other estimates put that figure even higher, at 868 million installs.
The game will be released on Apple Arcade on September 3, alongside a 2025 App Store Award winner, Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+, and others.
Image Credits:Apple/Art of FaunaApple’s internal data indicates that Block Blast! was the most downloaded free iPhone game in 2025. It has continued to rank No. 1 in the early months of 2026, according to its developer, Hungry Studio, and other third-party app intelligence providers, such as Sensor Tower.
Given that the puzzle game continues to acquire tens of millions of new users every month, it raises the question: Why would the studio offer an ad-free Arcade version now, before growth has plateaued? After all, just a few months ago, the studio reported that Block Blast! was still seeing high engagement, with 70 million daily active users and 300 million monthly active users worldwide. It even promoted the title at this year’s Coachella, suggesting there’s still room for growth.
However, a deeper dive into the data indicates Block Blast! downloads may have fallen from their peak in late 2024, when it was pulling in nearly 50 million downloads per month. This suggests the title is indeed maturing, which makes it a good candidate for Apple’s subscription service.
For Block Blast! fans, which are still many, the Arcade version will address the most annoying thing about playing this puzzler: all those ads. After every loss, ads play before you can start a new gaming session, leading users to swipe the game closed to skip the ad, then re-open the app to play again. It’s a tedious way to play this puzzle game, and one that has long seen fans begging for a subscription option to go ad-free. The Arcade version will now be that option.
Apple’s Arcade service is $6.99 per month for its 200+ games, or it can be bundled with Apple One plans, which start at $19.95/month for individuals.
Other titles launching on Arcade on September 3 include NFL Retro Bowl ’27, Coloring Games for Families+, and Let’s Play! Oink Games+, a digital collection of nine tabletop games.
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