As of today, Facebook starts implementing its game streaming service for iPhones and iPads via a web application (via browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc). This app can be added to the home screen of the mobile device as if it were a normal app. It will be possible to have fun playing games from Solitaire to titles with more elaborate graphics, such as racing games.
Due to App Store policies, it is not yet known exactly where iOS and iPadOS users will find them. The reason for this is that third-party developers cannot direct users to non-Apple shopping engine sites (which is why the lawsuit between Apple and Epic Games occurred).
Facebook has a library of HTML5-based games and uses its payment system called Facebook Pay to offer in-game purchases. The company's tactic is being the same adopted by Amazon and Microsoft, where PWAs (Progressive Web Apps) were used to make games available outside the App Store (Apple's app store).
In 2020, Facebook even complained about Apple's blocking to make its games available in an independent app for iOS and said it would look for alternatives. In the aftermath, Apple ended up changing its policies by allowing cloud-based games on the condition that the games were submitted one by one to the Apple Store for approval. Facebook vice president of gaming Vivek Sharma told The Verge:
"We've come to the same conclusion as others: web apps are the only option for streaming cloud games on iOS right now. "As many have pointed out, Apple's policy of 'allowing' cloud games on the App Store doesn't allow for much. Apple's requirement for each cloud game to have its own page, undergo review, and appear in search listings runs counter to the purpose of cloud gaming. These obstacles prevent gamers from discovering new games, playing on multiple devices, and accessing high-quality games instantly in native iOS apps - even for those who aren't using the latest and most expensive devices."
Launch and availability
Game streaming via the Facebook cloud is currently available in the US and some regions in Canada and Mexico. In other regions of the world, games are accessible in HTML and are gradually being made available to more places.
