If you’re anything like me, you love having a cozy game ready to go on your iPhone or iPad for those moments when you just need to relax. In a previous article, I put together a list of the best cozy games on iOS. Since then, I’ve discovered many new games. But this time, we’re diving into something specific—games you can play for free with an Apple Arcade subscription!
Apple Arcade is an absolute gem for cozy gamers, offering a wide variety of games without any ads or sneaky in-app purchases. It’s perfect for those who love to explore new titles without worrying about extra costs. If you’ve been wondering how to make the most of your Apple Arcade subscription (or if you’re thinking about getting one), this list will help you find the perfect cozy games to enjoy.
What is Apple Arcade?
For those unfamiliar, Apple Arcade is Apple’s subscription-based gaming service that gives you access to a curated library of games for a flat monthly fee. It’s available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Apple TV, making it a versatile option for gaming on all your devices.
If you’re already into Apple services like Apple Music or TV+, you might want to look into the Apple One bundle. For $20/month, it includes Apple Music, TV+, Apple Arcade, and 200GB of iCloud storage—perfect if you’re sharing with family or want to bundle everything together for convenience.
All the games are ad-free, and microtransactions are completely off the table, so you’ll never be surprised by unexpected costs. Plus, the variety of games is impressive, from relaxing life sims to thrilling adventures. In this article, we’ll focus on the cozy ones !
If you’re curious but not ready to commit, Apple Arcade offers a one-month free trial so you can test it out. After that, it’s $7/month.
Now that you know everything about it, let’s dive into the list of cozy games I recommend!
Sneaky Sasquatch
In Sneaky Sasquatch, you get to live the life of a Sasquatch and do all sorts of Sasquatchy things—sneaking around campsites, dressing up in human clothes, and raiding coolers and picnic baskets for snacks.
It’s essentially a sandbox game where you can do whatever you feel like, whether that’s exploring the world, progressing the storyline, or unlocking new adventures. The game is cozy but not overly so—it strikes the perfect balance between relaxing and engaging.
One of the best things about Sneaky Sasquatch is how much variety it offers. It brings in elements from many different types of games and combines them seamlessly. It’s really no surprise it’s a favorite among Apple Arcade players.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is the farming life simulation RPG that needs no introduction. It’s one of the most iconic cozy games, and now it’s available on mobile, fully optimized for iPhones and iPads.
What makes it great for mobile is how well it runs, even offline, and its short 15-minute in-game days—perfect for quick gaming sessions on the go, whether you’re on a plane, train, or bus.
If pixel art isn’t your thing, I still recommend giving it a chance. Stardew Valley is packed with charm and gameplay depth, and it might just win you over. It’s definitely one of my favorite cozy games of all time!
Farmside
Farmside is a farming sim that lets you cultivate crops and customize your land however you like.
If Stardew Valley doesn’t appeal to you because of its pixel art style, this might be a great alternative. The graphics are clean, and the gameplay is straightforward and relaxing. While it doesn’t have endless updates, the content available is still enough to keep you entertained for a good while. It’s a solid pick for fans of farming games who want a simpler experience.
Outlanders (1 & 2)
Outlanders is a town-building simulation where you lead a group of people as they build their community. Some villagers are focused on survival, while others dream of constructing impressive structures. Your job is to help them achieve their goals.
This game is a bit more strategic than your average cozy title, so it might take some time to understand the mechanics. You might even need to watch a tutorial or two to get started, but once you get the hang of it, it’s incredibly satisfying.
The visuals are adorable, and the atmosphere is wonderfully relaxing. It’s one of my personal favorites. Oh, and they’ve recently launched Outlanders 2! I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ve read great things about it.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Disney Dreamlight Valley combines life simulation with adventure, offering a magical experience filled with quests, exploration, and fun activities. Your mission? Bring magic back to the valley after chaos takes over, all while teaming up with beloved Disney and Pixar characters.
This game is perfect for Disney fans, with regular updates and tons of content to explore. You can farm, fish, craft, cook, and more, all while connecting with your favorite characters. It’s a cozy, magical experience that feels like a Disney movie come to life.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Join Hello Kitty and her friends in Hello Kitty Island Adventure as you restore an abandoned island to its former glory. This life-sim adventure combines exploration, puzzle-solving, and fun activities like house furnishing, photography quests, and platforming challenges.
I’ve played this one quite a bit, and I really love it – but I also am a fan of the Sanrio characters, so it helps… It has a similar vibe to Animal Crossing. If you love cozy games, this one will feel just right. Fans of Sanrio characters will especially enjoy the cute graphics and relaxing gameplay. Plus, it’s coming to Steam soon, so it’s a great time to jump in!
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
In Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, you’ll join Alba on her Mediterranean island trip, where she takes on a mission to save the local wildlife.
This game is a breath of fresh air, with a focus on exploration and connecting with nature. You’ll meet a variety of animal species, help protect their habitats, and enjoy a story that’s both cozy and meaningful.
Cooking Mama
Cooking Mama is a kitchen simulation game where you follow Mama’s instructions to create delicious meals.
I grew up playing Cooking Mama on my Nintendo DS, so seeing it on Apple Arcade feels like a nostalgic gift. The gameplay is just as fun as it was back then, and it’s great to have this classic game in a modern format. (even though I’ll probably miss my Nintendo DS forever)
Balatro
Balatro is a deck-building roguelite where you play poker hands to earn chips and defeat enemy blinds.
It might not sound cozy at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes a relaxing and fun game. If you’ve never tried a deck-building game before, this is a great place to start. It’s simple to learn, well-designed, and surprisingly addictive in the best way.
Food Truck Pup+
Food Truck Pup is an adorable cooking and simulation game where you run a food truck staffed by Shiba Inus and other animals.
The pixel art graphics are super cute, and the gameplay is simple but satisfying. You’ll cook, keep the pups stocked with supplies, and even customize the food truck and surroundings. It’s the perfect combination of cozy and charming. Even just the name of the game pushed me to download it, lol.
Monument Valley (1 & 2 & 3)
Monument Valley is a beautifully crafted puzzle game where you guide a silent princess through surreal architecture and optical illusions. (for the first one!)
Both games are short but memorable, offering a relaxing experience with stunning visuals. You should play Monument Valley 1 before you play the second one if you haven’t yet. And if you’re wondering why, it’s because while the first one (Monument Valley 1) is great, the second is even better. So if you play the second first, you might not appreciate the first one as much as you could have!
Note : The third one is also out now! It has great reviews as well.
Wylde Flowers
Wylde Flowers is a cozy life and farming sim in which you’ll help Tara embrace her new role as a witch. It takes a little time to really get into the story in Wylde Flowers, but once you’re in, you’re in for a ride!
What makes this game stand out is its fantastic voice acting, which adds so much depth and personality to the story. It’s a magical, heartfelt experience and a great pick for fans of farming sims looking for something a little different.
The Battle of Polytopia+
The Battle of Polytopia is an award-winning, turn-based strategy game all about controlling the map, battling enemy tribes, exploring new lands, and mastering new technologies.
Honestly, I love this game. It might not seem cozy at first, but depending on your style, it really can be! If you’re someone who finds strategy games fun rather than stressful, this one’s a great pick. The mechanics are easy to grasp, and the strategy isn’t too deep, especially if you stick to playing against AI.
What I really like is how balanced the game feels—something that a lot of strategy games don’t always get right. Plus, it’s available on Steam now if you’d rather play it on your computer!
Honorable mentions
Some other games I really enjoy in Apple Arcade, but stopped playing or had problems with (controls, bugs, length of the game…)
- Don’t Starve Pocket Edition (survival)
- Layton’s Mystery Journey (mystery and puzzles)
- Mini Motorways (building roads)
- My Talking Angela 2+ (dress up game)
- Japanese Rural Life Adventure (farming life sim)
Wrap Up
And that’s it for this list of cozy ios games ! I focused on Apple Arcade games for this list, but all of them are also available for you to buy if you do not have Apple Arcade and do not wish to try it. Are there any other cozy games you like playing from the Apple Arcade offer ? I’d like to know!
As always, thank you so much for reading and visiting my blog. Here are some other articles I recommend you check out if you haven’t yet :
