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No Man’s Sky itself has an iPhone listing, but it was still upcoming when checked on October 13, 2026. Hello Games announced an October 28 release, while the US App Store listed October 29; check the live listing for the current date. For an alternative you can play now, Galaxy Genome is the closest match here to an open-ended space simulator, with exploration, ship upgrades, mining, trading, combat and planetary vehicles.

At a glance: which iPhone space game fits you?

Game Best for US App Store price checked October 13, 2026 What sets it apart
Galaxy Genome Open-ended space simulation $3.99; paid download Exploration, mining, trade, combat, ship customization and planetary surface vehicles
Star Traders: Frontiers Captain-and-crew role-playing $6.99; paid download Careers, crew development, faction choices and ship upgrades
Out There: Ω Edition Survival and narrative choices $4.99; paid download Resource gathering and ship maintenance in a dangerous galaxy; no combat
No Man’s Sky for iOS The reference game itself Free trial, then $19.99 one-time full-game unlock Full game according to Hello Games, with mobile-specific limits including no multiplayer

Prices are US App Store prices, checked on October 13, 2026. They can change and may differ by region. The first three are paid downloads; No Man’s Sky is listed as a trial followed by a one-time unlock.

Closest alternative to No Man’s Sky: Galaxy Genome

Choose Galaxy Genome if you want one game that combines roaming a large galaxy with outfitting a ship and taking on several kinds of work. Its App Store listing describes exploration, mining, trading, fighting and smuggling, as well as a story, side missions and planetary surface vehicles. The listing also says there are more than 30 ships to use and customize.

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The same listing describes a 1:1-scale Milky Way game map with about 2 billion star systems. That is the developer’s description of the game world, not an independently verified astronomical measurement. At $3.99 in the US App Store on the date checked, it is the most direct fit among these alternatives for someone seeking a space-sim mix of exploration, ship customization and planetary activity.

#1 Best Overall
Mocagen MC1 Phone Controller for iPhone & Android – Ergonomic Grip, Low Latency, Case Friendly, Bluetooth Mobile Controller with Hall Effect Joysticks, Turbo, Portable Travel Companion for Car/Leisure
  • Bluetooth Controller for iPhone & Android: Mocagen mobile gaming controller Compatible with all iPhone models (including 18/17 series) and Android devices. Pairing steps: 1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and go to the pairing screen. 2. Press and hold the Home button for 3 sec until LED4 flashes. 3. Find "XBOX Wireless Controller" on your phone and tap to pair. Quick reconnect: After first pairing, simply press the Home button once (with Bluetooth on) to reconnect
  • Play Most Controller-Compatible Games: This iPhone game controller supports cloud gaming (e.g., Xb*x Game Pass, GeForce NOW), Xbox Remote Play, emulator games, and native mobile games (e.g., Apple Arcade). Enjoy effortless control and play Fortnite, Call of Duty, Roblox, Genshin Impact, and many more anytime, anywhere. Note: Controller only works with games that support controller input, and does not support PS Remote Play
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Expect a game with systems to learn rather than a frictionless sightseeing experience. Some App Store user reviews describe a steep learning curve; that is player feedback, not an independent gameplay test.

Best for an RPG: Star Traders: Frontiers

Star Traders: Frontiers puts the captain, crew and choices ahead of planetary exploration. It suits players who want to develop a crew, shape a career and navigate faction politics in a procedurally generated galaxy. The App Store listing advertises 26 careers, more than 350 ship upgrades and 45 ship hulls; these are developer-published feature counts.

Rank #2
Wireless Phone Controller for iPhone/Android with Hall Joystick, Moblie Controller for iPhone Support Xbox Game Pass, Steam Link, Call of Duty, Roblox, Handheld Gaming Gamepad, Nintendo DS Consoles
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At $6.99 in the US App Store on October 13, 2026, it is a stronger pick for role-playing and strategic decisions than for recreating No Man’s Sky’s planet-hopping simulator loop.

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Best for survival and story: Out There: Ω Edition

In Out There: Ω Edition, survival depends on gathering resources, maintaining and crafting your ship, and making choices as you travel through a procedurally generated galaxy. Its App Store listing warns that the game is hard. Combat is not part of its focus, so pick it for resource management and difficult narrative decisions rather than ship battles.

Rank #3
AceGamer Wireless Pocket Controller for Nintendo Switch/Switch 2/Android/iOS/PC/Steam Deck/Phone,1000Hz Polling Rate, Bluetooth Controller with Lift-and-Lock Joysticks/6-Axis Gyroscope/Turbo/Vibration (Black)
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It cost $4.99 as a paid download in the US App Store on October 13, 2026. Its emphasis on survival makes it a different kind of space exploration game from the open-ended simulation of No Man’s Sky.

What to know about No Man’s Sky on iPhone

Hello Games announced the iOS version on October 12, 2026, and said it includes the full game and more than forty major updates. The announcement states, “This is not No Man’s Sky Lite.” That describes the developer’s positioning; it does not mean every feature is available on every device.

Rank #4
Bluetooth Mobile Game Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 & iOS & Android & Tablets, Wireless Gamepad Grip with Hall Effect Trigger Joystick, Ergonomic Phone Controller for iPhone, iPad Pro, Samsung
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The release timing was not consistent across the two official sources available on October 13: Hello Games said October 28, while the US App Store listing showed an expected October 29 date. As those dates were still in the future when checked, consult the current listing before planning a download.

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  • Compatibility: Hello Games says iPhone 11 and later are supported. The App Store listing specifies iOS 26 and an A12 Bionic chip or later. Check your specific phone and software against the live listing.
  • Planetary settlements: Hello Games says this feature requires iPhone 15 Pro or later.
  • Multiplayer: It is not supported in the iOS version.
  • Controls and display: Hello Games says the game supports controllers and has rebuilt its touch controls for mobile. It can be cast to a TV; mouse and keyboard are supported on iPad. A controller is optional, and compatibility can depend on the specific controller, phone and game.
  • Price: The US App Store listing showed a free trial followed by a $19.99 one-time full-game unlock on October 13, 2026. Check the current listing for price and availability.
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How to choose

  • Want the broadest mix of open-ended exploration, ship upgrades, mining, trading and combat? Start with Galaxy Genome.
  • Want career choices, crew development and faction politics? Pick Star Traders: Frontiers.
  • Want a demanding resource-management and narrative challenge without combat? Try Out There: Ω Edition.
  • Want No Man’s Sky specifically? Check its current iOS listing for release status, compatibility and price; the announcement and listing gave different expected dates when checked.

These games share a space setting, but they are not interchangeable clones: Galaxy Genome is the closest open-ended simulator, Star Traders: Frontiers is an RPG, and Out There: Ω Edition is a survival game.

Best Value
Bcofo Wireless Mobile Game Controller for iOS/iPhone/Android/Cell Phone/Switch/Laptop, Gaming Gamepad with Phone Clip for Gamers, Hall Effect Triggers, Wired PC Control, with RGB LED Lighting/Vibration/6-Axis Gyro/Turbo (White)
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.