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

Given that the puzzle game continues to acquire tens of millions of new users every month, it raises the question: why would the studio offer an ad-free Arcade version now, before growth has plateaued? After all, just a few months ago, the studio reported that Block Blast! was still seeing high engagement, with 70 million daily active users and 300 million monthly active users worldwide. It even promoted the title at this year’s Coachella, suggesting there’s still room for growth.

However, a deeper dive into the data indicates Block Blast! downloads may have fallen from their peak in late 2024, when it was pulling in nearly 50 million downloads per month. This suggests the title is indeed maturing, which makes it a good candidate for Apple’s subscription service.

For Block Blast! fans, which are still many, the Arcade version will address the most annoying thing about playing this puzzler: all those ads. After every loss, ads play before you can start a new gaming session, leading users to swipe the game closed to skip the ad, then re-open the app to play again. It’s a tedious way to play this puzzle game, and one that has long seen fans begging for a subscription option to go ad-free. The Arcade version will now be that option.

Apple’s Arcade service is $6.99 per month for its 200+ games, or it can be bundled with Apple One plans, which start at $19.95/month for individuals.

Other titles launching on Arcade on September 3 include  NFL Retro Bowl ’27, Coloring Games for Families+, and Let’s Play! Oink Games+, a digital collection of nine tabletop games.