Thanks to Apple's restrictions on cloud services in its App Store, cloud gaming services such as the xCloud and Stadia apps are not available on the platform because each and every game would need to be registered separately. Who needs a dedicated app, though, when you can now access Google Stadia via Apple's Safari browser, thus bypassing the App Store requirements altogether?
Now we know that we are an Android centric site, but seeing as some of us straddle the divide by either owning an Android phone and iPhone or iPad, we thought it would be useful if we showed how you can play Google Stadia on your iOS device.
Whether you access the Stadia site directly via the Safari browser or create a home screen icon that converts it into a progressive web application, you'll be getting a similar gaming experience as compared to using a native app.
To get started, you'll need the following:
- A Stadia account (sign up for free here)
- An iPhone or iPad running iOS 14.3 or newer
- One or more games in your Stadia library, which means purchasing a game in the Stadia Store or signing up for Stadia Pro (or a free trial) and claiming the free games on offer
How to add the Stadia Web App shortcut to your home screen
Accessing Stadia via the Safari browser is fine, but you'll have a better experience by adding a web shortcut, or progressive web app, to the home screen on your iOS device.
- Open up Safari on your iPhone or iPad
- Head over to Stadia.com and log in to your account
- You'll see a prompt telling you that you can play in the browser. Tap on Got it
- The Stadia home screen will now appear in the Safari browser
- In Safari, tap on the Share icon which is at the bottom of the iPhone screen and at the top right of the iPad display
- Once the Share menu appears, select the “Add to Home Screen” option that appears next to a plus icon
The Stadia Web App icon will now be displayed on the home-screen of your iOS device.
Connect your gaming controller to your iPhone or iPad
Next you'll want to grab either your Stadia Controller or any supported Bluetooth gaming controller to connect it to your iPhone or iPad.
- If you are using a Stadia Controller with your WiFi network for the first time, you just need to open up the Stadia app to set it up, tapping the Controller icon afterwards to check if there are any controller updates that need applying.
- Simply sign into Stadia and connect the Stadia Controller wirelessly to your iPhone or iPad.
- If you have a third-party controller such as the DualShock 4 Controller or the Xbox One Controller you just need to connect them via bluetooth to your iOS device.
- If you don't have a controller of any sort to hand, don't worry because you can enable the touch gamepad when you launch a game which adds virtual controls to your display.
It should be noted that Google's support for Stadia on iOS is an ongoing development, and as such, some features may not be available or function properly. Let us know how you get on in the comments below.
