iPhone Users, Rejoice! You Can Download itch.io Games on iOS with This Trick

janella-haliburton
Aug 2, 2023
9 min read

Can You Download itch.io Games on iPhone?

If you are a fan of indie games, you might have heard of itch.io, a platform that hosts thousands of games from independent developers. But can you download itch.io games on your iPhone and enjoy them on the go? The answer is yes, but with some caveats. In this article, we will explain what itch.io is, how to download itch.io games on your iPhone, and the pros and cons of doing so.

What is itch.io?

itch.io is a website that allows anyone to upload, sell, and download indie games. It was launched in 2013 by Leaf Corcoran, a game developer who wanted to create a more open and accessible marketplace for indie games. Since then, itch.io has grown to host over 200,000 games from more than 100,000 creators.

can you download itch.io games on iphone

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A platform for indie games

One of the main features of itch.io is that it gives developers complete control over their games. They can set their own prices, offer pay-what-you-want or free options, customize their game pages, and update their games whenever they want. They can also choose to distribute their games DRM-free or use itch.io's own launcher app. Additionally, they can keep up to 100% of the revenue from their sales, or choose to donate a portion to itch.io or a charity of their choice.

A community for game developers and players

Another feature of itch.io is that it fosters a community of game developers and players who share their passion for indie games. Developers can join game jams, contests, and events hosted by itch.io or other users, where they can create and submit games based on a theme or a challenge. Players can browse, rate, review, and comment on games, as well as follow their favorite developers and collections. They can also discover new games based on genres, tags, themes, platforms, or recommendations.

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How to Download itch.io Games on iPhone?

Now that you know what itch.io is, you might be wondering how to download itch.io games on your iPhone. There are two main ways to do so: using the official itch.io app or using alternative methods.

The official itch.io app

The official itch.io app is an iOS app that lets you browse and play itch.io games on your iPhone. It was released in 2016 as an open-source project. However, it is not available on the App Store due to Apple's policies that restrict third-party app stores. Therefore, you need to install it manually using a process called sideloading.

How to install it

To install the official itch.io app on your iPhone, you need to follow these steps:

Download the latest version of the app from .

Download , an alternative app store that lets you sideload apps without jailbreaking your iPhone.

Follow the instructions on to install AltStore on your iPhone using your computer.

Open AltStore on your iPhone and sign in with your Apple ID.

Tap on the + icon at the top left corner and select the itch.io app file that you downloaded in step 1.

Wait for the app to install and then open it from your home screen.

Congratulations, you have successfully installed the official itch.io app on your iPhone. You can now browse and play itch.io games on your device.

How to browse and play games

To browse and play games using the official itch.io app, you need to follow these steps:

Open the app and tap on the Browse tab at the bottom.

Choose a category, such as Featured, Popular, New & Noteworthy, or Recommended.

Tap on a game that you want to play and read its description and details.

If the game is free or pay-what-you-want, tap on the Download or Install button. If the game has a fixed price, tap on the Buy Now button and complete the payment process.

Wait for the game to download and install on your device. You can check the progress on the My Library tab at the bottom.

Once the game is installed, tap on it and enjoy playing it.

Note that not all itch.io games are compatible with iOS devices. Some games may require a keyboard, mouse, or controller to play, or may not run well on your device. You can check the game's page for more information about its compatibility and requirements.

The alternative methods

If you don't want to use the official itch.io app, or if you encounter any problems with it, you can try some alternative methods to download itch.io games on your iPhone. These methods are not as convenient or reliable as the official app, but they may work for some games.

Using a web browser

One alternative method is to use a web browser, such as Safari or Chrome, to access itch.io's website and play games online. To do this, you need to follow these steps:

Open your web browser and go to .

Browse for games that have a Play in browser option. You can filter them by clicking on the More Filters button and selecting Browser Games under Platforms.

Tap on a game that you want to play and read its description and details.

If the game is free or pay-what-you-want, tap on the Play in browser button. If the game has a fixed price, tap on the Buy Now button and complete the payment process.

Wait for the game to load and enjoy playing it in your web browser.

Note that playing games in your web browser may not offer the best experience. Some games may not load properly, run slowly, or crash. You may also encounter ads, pop-ups, or other distractions. Additionally, you may need an internet connection to play some games.

Using a third-party app

Another alternative method is to use a third-party app that lets you download and play itch.io games on your iPhone. There are several apps that claim to do this, such as . However, these apps are not endorsed by itch.io and may not be safe or trustworthy. To use them, you need to follow these steps:

Download the app from the App Store and open it on your iPhone.

Browse for games that are available on the app. You can search by name, genre, tag, or rating.

Tap on a game that you want to play and read its description and details.

If the game is free or pay-what-you-want, tap on the Download or Install button. If the game has a fixed price, tap on the Buy Now button and complete the payment process.

Wait for the game to download and install on your device. You can check the progress on the app's library section.

Once the game is installed, tap on it and enjoy playing it.

Note that using a third-party app may not be legal or ethical. Some apps may violate itch.io's terms of service or infringe on developers' rights by distributing their games without their permission or consent. Some apps may also contain malware, spyware, or other harmful software that may damage your device or compromise your privacy. Use them at your own risk and discretion.

The Pros and Cons of Downloading itch.io Games on iPhone

Downloading itch.io games on your iPhone can have some advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and cons that you should consider before doing so.

The pros

Some of the benefits of downloading itch.io games on your iPhone are:

Access to thousands of games

By downloading itch.io games on your iPhone, you can access a vast library of games from various genres, styles, and themes. You can find games that suit your preferences, mood, and interests. You can also explore games that are experimental, innovative, or unconventional. You can enjoy games that are not available on the App Store or other platforms.

Support indie developers

By downloading itch.io games on your iPhone, you can support indie developers who create and share their games with passion and creativity. You can help them earn some income, gain some exposure, and receive some feedback. You can also show your appreciation and gratitude for their work by rating, reviewing, or tipping them.

Discover new genres and styles

By downloading itch.io games on your iPhone, you can discover new genres and styles of games that you may not have tried before. You can broaden your horizons and challenge yourself with games that are different, original, or surprising. You can also learn new skills, concepts, or perspectives from games that are educational, informative, or inspiring.

The cons

Some of the drawbacks of downloading itch.io games on your iPhone are:

Compatibility issues

Not all itch.io games are compatible with iOS devices. Some games may require a keyboard, mouse, or controller to play, or may not run well on your device. You may encounter errors, glitches, or crashes while playing some games. You may also miss out on some features or updates that are only available for other platforms.

Performance issues

Some itch.io games may not perform well on your iPhone. Some games may have low graphics quality, slow loading speed, or high battery consumption. You may experience lagging, freezing, or stuttering while playing some games. You may also need a lot of storage space to download and install some games.

Limited features

Some itch.io games may have limited features on your iPhone. Some games may not support offline mode, cloud saving, achievements, leaderboards, or multiplayer. You may also have difficulty finding or playing some games due to the lack of search filters, categories, or recommendations on the official app or the website.

Conclusion

In conclusion, downloading itch.io games on your iPhone is possible but not without some challenges. You need to use the official app or alternative methods to access the platform and play the games. You also need to weigh the pros and cons of doing so before deciding whether it is worth it or not. If you are a fan of indie games and want to support indie developers, you may find downloading itch.io games on your iPhone a rewarding and enjoyable experience. However, if you are looking for a smooth and convenient gaming experience with high-quality and reliable games, you may want to stick to the App Store or other platforms.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about downloading itch.io games on iPhone:

Is it legal to download itch.io games on iPhone?

It depends on the game and the method you use to download it. If the game is free or pay-what-you-want, and you use the official app or the website to download it, it is legal. However, if the game has a fixed price, and you use a third-party app or a pirated version to download it without paying for it, it is illegal.

Is it safe to download itch.io games on iPhone?

It depends on the game and the source you download it from. If the game is from a reputable developer and you download it from the official app or the website, it is safe. However, if the game is from an unknown developer or has suspicious content, and you download it from a third-party app or an unverified link, it may not be safe.

How do I update itch.io games on iPhone?

If you use the official app to download itch.io games on your iPhone, you can update them by tapping on the Update button on the game page on the app. If you use a web browser or a third-party app to download itch.io games on your iPhone, you may need to delete and reinstall the game to get the latest version.

How do I delete itch.io games on iPhone?

If you use the official app to download itch.io games on your iPhone, you can delete them by tapping on the Delete button on the game page on the app. If you use a web browser or a third-party app to download itch.io games on your iPhone, you can delete them by tapping and holding on the game icon on your home screen and selecting Delete App.

How do I contact itch.io support?

If you have any questions, issues, or feedback about itch.io, you can contact their support team by sending an email to for more information and resources.

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