The new Game Mode considers gamers more than ever, providing features like faster frame rates and lower latency across Bluetooth connections to AirPods and controllers. This is exciting news for anyone who enjoys resource-heavy gaming on their devices, as users can expect to get a performance boost on all major titles from Minecraft to Asphalt 8, and Apple Arcade games such as NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition.
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The iOS 18 update will be available in mid to late September 2024. But some people have already had the chance to try out Game Mode through a download of the public beta.
The Public Beta
Apple made iOS 18 available for free via a public beta. That allowed users to get a first look at what to expect when the official launch hits. Beta testing doesn’t give the full picture of an update, as some of the features that were announced at WWDC 2024 are held back and the testing period can cause buggy performance and compatibility issues with other apps.
Getting early access to beta testing is done by entering beta.apple.com through Safari, which will take the user to the enrolment program option. Once registered for the program, go to Settings > General > Software Update, and after the device has done its routine check, the system will show an option for Beta Updates that are currently available.
Before exploring the world of Apple’s public beta releases, it’s advisable to first ensure that you have backed everything up to the cloud, including your photo library. Ensure that everything is synced up by checking when your last successful backup was performed (usually tagged as “overnight”).
Who Will Get iOS 18?
Game Mode can only be run on iOS 18, for which ChatGPT will also be integrated. Therefore, the device that you are running has to be compatible. All Apple devices that currently operate on iOS 17 will be compatible with the major new update, which means that everything from iPhone Xs and up can be used with iOS 18. The iPhone SE (third generation) and above will also be compatible.
What is the New iOS 18 Game Mode?
The new update promises a lot for players, as it is a major attempt to turn the device into a more dedicated gaming platform by smart use of its processing. The main feature of Game Mode is to enhance speed and control, and it is more directed at 3D graphic titles from the App Store or through a subscription to the Apple Arcade.
Essentially now, instead of playing games on a phone base, the base has been revamped to suit gaming. Here are some of the main talking points about Game Mode in iOS 18:
Background Activity
Thanks to the new update, there will be a reduction in background activity when playing games. The technology behind it will automatically cut down on processes that are running in the background, which then frees up those resources to be used for the game to improve overall performance.
CPU and GPU Performance Boost
Users will also get a boost in the processing power that is applied to games when Game Mode is activated. The extra power boost will mean that graphics will run much smoother and there will be fewer frame rate drops in-game.
Bluetooth Connectivity
Part of the improved experience through Game Mode – which is something that’s already on the Mac – is improved latency. Game handling in making those split-second decisions in a battle or pulling off an overtaking move in a racing game will be improved with the new update.
It means that games should run smoother, and with the Bluetooth controller latency being minimized as well, the sampling rate for audio will be greatly improved.
AirPods Pro Upgrade
Also included in the iOS 18 update are some improvements to AirPods Pro. The pick of those, from a gaming perspective, is the Personalized Spatial Audio available for gaming. This is an immersive audio device with dynamic head tracking. With improved wireless audio latency, voice quality will run at 16-bit, 48kHz audio.
Controlling Game Mode
Game Mode will only adjust performance levels for the specific gaming tasks it’s designed for. It is not something to leave on all the time, as it can affect the general operation of the device. When a game is launched for the first time under iOS 18, a pop-up notification will appear indicating that Game Mode has been activated.
Users will have the chance to disable the performance feature through that link, so it’s essentially down to user preference and control. The feature isn’t necessarily going to need to be activated for all types of games. 3D titles that are heavy on graphics and processing power are naturally going to receive a boost from it, but simple 2D games aren’t likely to see any notable upgrade in performance.
The Other Side
There is only a set amount of processing resources that a device has available at any one time. So, if you have started a download and then turn on Game Mode, expect that download to be slowed down considerably or even paused, which is the same for any other background activity.
Game Mode is already a feature of macOS Sonoma, and it’s natural for elements from one OS to shift over to another. The basic concepts of the Mac Game Mode and the device-oriented one will be the same – upgraded, targeted performance.
Other Features of iOS 18 Update
Game Mode is a big feature of iOS 18, which is the latest major release from Apple. There is a lot more included in the package, including a massive upgrade and revamp of the Photos app, so if you are getting snapshots of your gaming play, that’s something else to get used to.
There will be new customization features included for the Home Screen, Lock Screen and Control Centre. Apps and widgets can be arranged anywhere on an open space on the screen, and text messaging also gets some new features. New text effects are coming in, as well as the ability to schedule when a text is sent.
The Safari browser also gets a new look, featuring a better Reader experience, exploring web Highlights and producing an overview of a site through machine learning, which will pick out the main elements of information.
But along with the exciting new Game Mode being rolled out, the biggest update that iOS users will now get is a Passwords app. This is an evolution of the keychain technology that has been around for more than two decades. The new password app allows users to easily manage all credentials from Wi-Fi to website logins.