2025's most downloaded game, Block Blast!, is going ad-free on Apple Arcade | TechCrunch

Apple has officially announced that the immensely popular mobile puzzle game Block Blast! is scheduled to join its gaming subscription platform, Apple Arcade, in early September.

The upcoming release, branded as Block Blast!+, will offer subscribers a completely ad-free experience, resolving a long-standing grievance among players who previously had to endure frequent interruptions after losing matches. Developed by Hungry Studio, the title has established itself as a massive global phenomenon, accumulating more than 700 million lifetime installations and securing the position of the most-downloaded free iPhone game over the past year. Although the game continues to attract tens of millions of new users monthly and retains high daily active engagement, market analytics suggest its overall download velocity has begun to decrease from its late 2024 peak.

This transition to Apple's gaming service indicates a strategic pivot as the title reaches a more mature stage in its lifecycle. By providing an ad-free version on Apple Arcade—which is priced at $6.99 monthly or packaged within Apple One bundles—the developer can monetize dedicated fans who want to avoid the tedious cycle of closing and restarting the app to bypass video ads. The launch will coincide with several other additions to the service, including the award-winning Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles+ and a selection of casual tabletop and sports games. Through these updates, Apple continues to bolster its subscription catalog with proven hits to sustain interest and attract new subscribers.