I have a n iPhone 16 PM, just updated from iOS 18.7.1 to iOS 26.2 and the new Apple “Games” app with the orange rocket icon doesn’t work. When launched it just shows a black screen. On rare occasions it shows a spinning wheel briefly on the back screen. I have tried deleting and reinstalling the app, restarting the iPhone, signing out and back in to GameCenter.
iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 26
After you updated your iPhone, did you Force Restart? Doing so after an iOS update, often cures odd little things. Try this --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
Mikeagan wrote:
lobsterghost1 wrote:
After you updated your iPhone, did you Force Restart? Doing so after an iOS update, often cures odd little things. Try this --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
Yes I did. Same results
OK. It works just fine on my iPhone. But then I have an Apple One Account, which includes the paid version of Games. By chance do you have a VPN installed on your iPhone (used or not)? If yes, DUMP the VPN. They're not needed and just cause connectivity issues.
lobsterghost1 wrote:
Mikeagan wrote:
lobsterghost1 wrote:
Mikeagan wrote:
Also “Lockdown Mode” is off.
The only other thing I can think of to try is backing up the phone on my pc and then reinstalling iOS 26 followed by restoring the phone.
I would recommend the computer backup and restore as well.
Just finished backing up my phone, erasing and reinstalling iOS 26.2 and then restoring my backup and the app still doesn’t work. Still black screen on load.
It's time to get Apple involved. If you're in the US, you can call Apple at: 800-MY-APPLE or tap the Support button at the bottom of this page.
I did this and they were able to see/verify the issue and get a screen recording and analytics which is being sent to the engineering team for further analysis. But they don’t have an answer to what is causing this issue at this time. They said that possibly a fix would be available in a future iOS/app update.
Mikeagan wrote:
Also “Lockdown Mode” is off.
The only other thing I can think of to try is backing up the phone on my pc and then reinstalling iOS 26 followed by restoring the phone.
I would recommend the computer backup and restore as well.
Mikeagan wrote:
lobsterghost1 wrote:
Mikeagan wrote:
Also “Lockdown Mode” is off.
The only other thing I can think of to try is backing up the phone on my pc and then reinstalling iOS 26 followed by restoring the phone.
I would recommend the computer backup and restore as well.
Just finished backing up my phone, erasing and reinstalling iOS 26.2 and then restoring my backup and the app still doesn’t work. Still black screen on load.
It's time to get Apple involved. If you're in the US, you can call Apple at: 800-MY-APPLE or tap the Support button at the bottom of this page.
Also “Lockdown Mode” is off.
The only other thing I can think of to try is backing up the phone on my pc and then reinstalling iOS 26 followed by restoring the phone.
lobsterghost1 wrote:
After you updated your iPhone, did you Force Restart? Doing so after an iOS update, often cures odd little things. Try this --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
Yes I did. Same results
lobsterghost1 wrote:
Mikeagan wrote:
lobsterghost1 wrote:
After you updated your iPhone, did you Force Restart? Doing so after an iOS update, often cures odd little things. Try this --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
Yes I did. Same results
OK. It works just fine on my iPhone. But then I have an Apple One Account, which includes the paid version of Games. By chance do you have a VPN installed on your iPhone (used or not)? If yes, DUMP the VPN. They're not needed and just cause connectivity issues.
No VPN.
To improve my understanding of the phenomenon, it would be highly beneficial if you could share a full screenshot (Do not crop it). Visual representations carry a greater impact than written descriptions.
Please remember that this is a public forum, so when attaching a screenshot, please avoid including any personal credentials such as IP addresses, card details, email IDs, Apple IDs, IMEI numbers, serial numbers, phone numbers, order IDs, or any identifiable location information if you are sharing a map.
With the limited information that you have provided, It is hard to even guess the problems faced by you.
You may get faster and better responses to your query by --> Writing an effective Apple Support Commun… - Apple ...
Please re-post with detail so that someone else can help.
lobsterghost1 wrote:
Mikeagan wrote:
Also “Lockdown Mode” is off.
The only other thing I can think of to try is backing up the phone on my pc and then reinstalling iOS 26 followed by restoring the phone.
I would recommend the computer backup and restore as well.
Just finished backing up my phone, erasing and reinstalling iOS 26.2 and then restoring my backup and the app still doesn’t work. Still black screen on load.
Can you please name the App? "the orange rocket icon " does not give any indication.
When installing iOS 26 it installs 2 new apps: Games app & Preview app.
The Games app is the one not working.
here is a screenshot when the app is launched:
New Apple “Games” app not working.
