Quick answer
NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition launches Thursday, November 5, 2026, only on Apple Arcade, for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. It's included in the Apple Arcade subscription at $6.99 a month or $49.99 a year, with no ads and no in-app purchases.
This is the closest thing to "NBA 2K27 on mobile," but it isn't the console game. It's a separate version with its own MyCAREER, and its Neighborhood replaces The City. The headline addition is all 15 WNBA teams and 180 active players, in Quick Match and Blacktop only. There is no Android version.
Everything below was checked on November 2, 2026, against the official App Store listing and Apple's own pricing page. The game isn't out yet, so nobody has played the final build. We'll mark anything we can't confirm.
When does NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition come out?
The App Store listing says "Expected Nov 5, 2026." NBA 2K announced the game on its social channels on October 20, and iPhone in Canada reported the same date that day.
2K has not announced a launch time. The one clue is the App Store's own metadata, which lists the release as 08:00 UTC on November 5. That is midnight Pacific. Treat it as a store timestamp, not a promise.
| Time zone | Store timestamp converted |
|---|---|
| Pacific (PT) | 12:00 AM, Nov 5 |
| Eastern (ET) | 3:00 AM, Nov 5 |
| UK (GMT) | 8:00 AM, Nov 5 |
| Central Europe (CET) | 9:00 AM, Nov 5 |
If it isn't on your device at those times, check again later in the day. App Store listings can take a while to update by region.
This release is later than the last two. The store shows NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition on October 3, 2024 and NBA 2K26 Arcade Edition on October 16, 2025. That gap is why an r/AppleArcade thread in early October asked whether the series was coming back at all.
The console and PC game has been out since September 4, so Arcade players land about nine weeks behind it. If you came here for the main game's dates, see our NBA 2K27 release date guide.
How much does NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition cost?
The game has no price of its own. You pay for Apple Arcade, and Apple's pricing page lists:
- $6.99 a month, or $49.99 a year
- Family Sharing with up to five family members at no extra cost
- Also included in Apple One plans
The listing shows "No ads. No in-app purchases." That line matters more than usual for a 2K game. On console, VC can be bought with real money. The store listing rules out buying anything inside the Arcade version.
For a one-game comparison, the console Standard Edition is $69.99 on Steam. One year of Arcade costs about 71% of that and includes the rest of the catalog. If you want the full console game, the NBA 2K27 sale is worth a look first. We checked Steam on November 2 and Deluxe is still $45, down from $99.99. The earlier promo banner said the offer ends November 9.
What devices does it run on?
The listing names four device types. Here are the minimum operating systems it shows:
| Device | Minimum OS |
|---|---|
| iPhone | iOS 17.0 |
| iPad | iPadOS 17.0 |
| Mac | macOS 13.0 |
| Apple TV | tvOS 18.0 |
The listing page also shows a visionOS 1.0 requirement, but its headline device line doesn't name Apple Vision. Don't count on it being a proper Vision Pro game.
Other details from the listing:
- Size: 2.9 GB on the US page. The App Store's data feed shows about 2 GB, so keep at least 3 GB free.
- Controllers: Xbox, PS DualShock, PS DualSense and MFi controllers are supported.
- Age rating: 4+
- Languages: 13, including English, Spanish, French, German and Japanese
2K hasn't published a recommended-device list. The minimum OS only tells you it will install. It doesn't tell you how well a given phone will run it, so older iPhones are the risk here.
What's new in NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition?
Compared with last year's listing, there are three named changes.
WNBA teams, for Quick Match and Blacktop only
All 15 WNBA teams and 180 active players join the game. 2K calls it "a long-time coming." There are two new modes, WNBA Quick Match and WNBA Blacktop.
Here's the catch: the listing places the W in those two modes only. MyCAREER, The Association and NBA Eras are described with NBA teams. Players on r/AppleArcade have already asked for it in Association, and nothing in the listing says that's coming.
A faster MyCAREER
This is the biggest change for solo players. In 2K's words on the listing: "Your MyPLAYER starts their rookie season at 80 OVR meaning that they'll instantly have an impact on the court."
The season is also compressed. You "focus on the season's most pivotal moments and play through 12 strategic matchups," with the NBA Playoffs as the goal. So you get a short, high-stakes run instead of a full schedule.
One thing doesn't line up yet. A store screenshot of the Neighborhood shows a MyPLAYER card at 60 OVR, not 80. That image may come from an older capture or a different stage of the game. We'd trust the written listing, then confirm it on launch day.
The store art also shows an NBA Template Builds screen. You pick a position and a real player, and the game loads their frame, ratings and Takeovers. The Victor Wembanyama template shows 7'3", 230 lbs, an 8'0" wingspan, and Limitless Range and Stuff Block as Takeovers.
A bigger Neighborhood
Four new locations are named:
- Center Terminal: new events, quests and seasonal content
- Gym: training that unlocks temporary buffs
- Barbershop: new haircuts for your MyPLAYER
- Tattoo Studio: tattoos for your MyPLAYER
The store art shows the Gym as a timed mini-game with a rep counter. "Seasonal content" also suggests post-launch updates, but 2K hasn't published a schedule.
Which game modes are in the Arcade Edition?
The listing names eight modes:
| Mode | What it is |
|---|---|
| MyCAREER | Your created player, from rookie to legend |
| The Association | GM and Head Coach of an NBA franchise |
| NBA Eras | Run iconic teams, such as the 90s Bulls or modern Warriors |
| Multiplayer | Your MyPLAYER against other Apple Arcade players |
| Blacktop | 1v1, 3v3 or 5v5 street games with NBA teams |
| Quick Match | 5v5 with NBA teams |
| WNBA Blacktop | 1v1, 3v3 or 5v5 with WNBA teams |
| WNBA Quick Match | 5v5 with WNBA teams |
Last year's listing named Paragon Mode and Spectator Mode, including NBA Today. Neither appears in the 2K27 text. That doesn't prove they're gone, since the listing may just be shorter, so check them on launch day.
MyTEAM is not listed. Neither is Fire & Concrete, the console story mode.
Can you play with console players?
Almost certainly not. The listing describes multiplayer as playing "against other 2K27 players on Apple Arcade," and friends play through iCloud. There's no mention of cross-play with PS5, Xbox, PC or Switch 2.
The same goes for progress. Nothing on the listing links your 2K Account, console MyPLAYER, VC or REP to the Arcade version. Last year's MyTEAM app spelled out cross-progression. This listing doesn't, so treat it as a separate save. If you came for console co-op, our co-op MyCAREER guide covers the main game.
It's also unconfirmed whether a 2K26 Arcade save carries over. The listing doesn't mention it, and each Arcade Edition ships as its own App Store app.
Is NBA 2K27 on Android?
No. The listing says "only on Apple Arcade," and Apple Arcade doesn't exist on Android. Here's what is actually available on phones today:
| App | Platforms | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition | Apple only | Full basketball game, from Nov 5 |
| NBA 2K Mobile | iOS, Android | Free card game, not NBA 2K27. Android 9+ and 3 GB RAM |
| NBA 2K26 MyTEAM | iOS, Android | Last year's free MyTEAM app, with paid random items |
| NBA 2K HQ | iOS, Android | Companion app for builds, Crew and login rewards |
Be careful with anything else. There's no official NBA 2K27 APK, and a download claiming to be one isn't from 2K.
Is there an NBA 2K27 MyTEAM mobile app?
Not yet. On November 2, we found no NBA 2K27 MyTEAM app on the US App Store or on Google Play. The listing that shows up is still NBA 2K26 MyTEAM.
That app reached the App Store on November 28, 2025, about 12 weeks after NBA 2K26. A date of 11/28 has been circulating on Reddit for 2K27, but it matches last year's date and no store listing or 2K announcement backs it. Treat late November as a guess. We'd also watch the store around Season 3 on November 27, but that's our read, not something 2K has said.
How do you download NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition?
Downloading takes four steps once the game unlocks:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV.
- Go to the Arcade tab, or search for NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition. Check that the name includes "Arcade Edition," because NBA 2K Mobile and NBA 2K HQ will appear in the same results.
- Start an Apple Arcade subscription if you don't have one.
- Download the game on Wi-Fi and keep about 3 GB free.
Should you get it?
Get it if you already pay for Apple Arcade, because it costs nothing extra. It's also a good fit if you want MyCAREER on a phone with no VC shop. One r/AppleArcade player said last year's version was best on a Mac or iPad with a controller, and we'd start there too.
Skip it if you want MyTEAM, the Auction House, The City, the Park or REC. None of those are listed. Buy the console or PC game instead.
Wait a few days if you're on an older iPhone. There are no reviews or performance reports yet, and App Store reviews of older Arcade Editions include bug complaints. Launch week will show how it runs.
FAQ
What time does NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition come out? 2K hasn't announced a time. App Store metadata points to midnight Pacific on November 5, which is 3 AM Eastern and 8 AM in the UK.
Is NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition free? The download has no separate price, but you need an Apple Arcade subscription at $6.99 a month or $49.99 a year.
Can I download it now? No. The App Store page is live, but it's marked coming soon and the game isn't playable until launch day.
Is NBA 2K27 on iPhone the same as on PS5? No. It's a separate Arcade version with its own MyCAREER, its own Neighborhood and no MyTEAM.
Can you play as Caitlin Clark in NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition? Very likely, since the listing includes all 15 teams and 180 active players, and Indiana Fever art appears in the store images. WNBA teams are limited to Quick Match and Blacktop.
Does NBA 2K27 Arcade Edition have VC? We can't confirm how currency works until launch. The listing rules out in-app purchases, so you won't be able to buy VC there.
More NBA 2K27 guides: everything in Season 3, the current sale, and the Switch 2 version explained.
