Balatro is not still “coming” to mobile. Playstack released the official game for iPhone, iPad and Android on September 26, 2024. You can buy the standalone premium app, or play the separate Balatro+ edition through Apple Arcade.
What is Balatro?
Balatro is a single-player roguelike deck-builder built around poker hands. You score against Blinds, buy and combine Jokers, and shape each run with decks, vouchers and upgrades. Runs are procedurally varied, so the game is designed for repeated play rather than a fixed campaign.
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dV Giochi Bang | $39.12 | Buy on Amazon |
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Dutch Blitz Card Game - Original Fast Paced Family Game with 160 Cards | $9.49 | Buy on Amazon |
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Grandpa Beck's Games Skull King Trick-Taking Card Game | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Balatro: Special Edition - For Nintendo Switch | $34.20 | Buy on Amazon |
The mobile listings describe the official game with touchscreen controls, campaign and challenge modes, and more than 150 Jokers. It is a premium release, not a free-to-play spin-off.
Release date and mobile platforms
The mobile launch date was September 26, 2024. The standalone release is available on:
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- iPhone and iPad through the App Store, published by Playstack Ltd.
- Android phones and tablets through Google Play, published by Playstack.
Apple also offers Balatro+ through Apple Arcade. That is an Apple Arcade edition, not the Android app and not simply another name for the standalone App Store purchase.
Prices and purchase models
Store prices vary by country, taxes, promotions and date. The following signals were visible in U.S. storefront listings checked on August 16, 2026:
| Version | Model | Price information |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone iPhone/iPad app | One-time purchase | The indexed U.S. App Store result showed $6.99; other Apple storefront views showed $9.99. Check the price on your account before buying. |
| Standalone Android app | One-time purchase | The indexed U.S. Google Play listing showed $9.99 and states that there are no in-app purchases. |
| Balatro+ on Apple Arcade | Subscription access | Included with an Apple Arcade subscription; no separate standalone price is asserted here. |
The Android listing’s “no in-app purchases” wording supports a paid-download model rather than recurring in-game purchases. It does not establish a permanent policy for every future edition or update.
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- Fast-paced gameplay you love: Experience exciting competition as you speed to clear your Blitz pile. No turns taken; first to place cards in sequence wins!
- Perfect for family gatherings: Designed for 2 to 4 players, this game ensures fun-filled family nights and keeps both kids and adults entertained for hours.
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What the mobile version includes
Touch-first controls
The iOS description advertises remastered controls for touchscreen devices. Selecting cards, dragging them, discarding, buying Jokers and selling items are designed around taps and gestures instead of treating a phone as a tiny mouse-and-keyboard interface.
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- Procedurally varied runs and poker-hand scoring.
- Campaign and challenge modes.
- More than 150 Jokers.
- Unlockable decks, upgrades and vouchers.
- The pixel-art presentation associated with the wider release.
Controller support
The iOS listing specifically names compatible PlayStation, Xbox and MFi controllers. A controller is optional; the game is built to be playable with touch. The store material does not establish that every Android controller model is supported, so treat Bluetooth-controller compatibility as device-specific.
Compatibility requirements
iPhone, iPad and Apple devices
The App Store listing specifies iOS 13.5 or later for iPhone and iPadOS 13.5 or later for iPad. Apple’s listing also includes Vision support. The U.S. iPad listing displayed an app size of approximately 98 MB, but download size can change with updates. Apple’s page currently does not indicate developer-provided accessibility features, so check the listing and your device’s accessibility tools if that is essential to your purchase.
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Android
Google Play’s compatibility system determines whether a particular Android phone or tablet can install the game. The available listing does not provide a complete universal minimum Android version, RAM figure or processor requirement. Open the game’s Google Play page on the device you intend to use rather than relying on a generic specification copied elsewhere.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Saves and differences between editions
iOS update history includes cloud-save improvements and fixes, showing that saving has been an area of ongoing maintenance. That should not be interpreted as a promise of universal cross-platform progression.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11The available official store information does not confirm save transfers between iOS and Android, mobile and PC or console, or the standalone app and Balatro+. Same-platform or platform-account cloud saving may work where supported, but verify your exact setup before buying a second copy for progress continuity.
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- 150 Jokers, each with their own unique abilities.
- 15 Decks with distinct modifiers to choose from for each run.
- 5 potential variants of each Joker which add further abilities.
- 22 Tarot cards variants that can enhance your regular playing cards.
- 11 Planet cards that help level up your possible poker hands.
Which version should you choose?
Choose the standalone iPhone or iPad app when:
- You want a one-time purchase rather than another subscription.
- You mainly play on one Apple device and want the touch-optimized release.
- You do not require confirmed cross-platform save transfer.
Choose Android standalone when:
- You use an Android device that Google Play marks as compatible.
- You want the official paid mobile release with no in-app purchases listed.
- You prefer ownership of the app instead of Apple Arcade access.
Choose Apple Arcade’s Balatro+ when:
- You already subscribe to Apple Arcade.
- You play across supported Apple devices and want to try the game without buying the standalone listing.
- You accept that access depends on the subscription rather than a permanent standalone purchase.
Wait before buying when:
- Cross-platform synchronization is a requirement and your setup is unconfirmed.
- Your phone is old or the store marks it incompatible.
- You need extensive, specifically documented accessibility support.
- You are looking for multiplayer; the store descriptions present Balatro as single-player.
Buying safely and fixing common problems
Check the publisher
Use the official App Store or Google Play pages and confirm that Playstack is the publisher. Avoid unofficial APKs, cloned listings and emulator downloads using the Balatro name.
If cloud saving hangs
Some App Store reviews report being stuck on “Loading cloud save.” These are user reports, not proof of a universal defect. Before risking local progress:
- Confirm that the device is online.
- Update the game and your operating system.
- Do not delete or reinstall the app until you have confirmed that the save is synchronized.
- If the issue continues, contact Playstack support at [email protected].
Battery and heat reports
Some users have reported battery drain or heat in App Store reviews. Those comments are anecdotal rather than controlled testing, so actual results can vary by device, brightness, background apps and play session.
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Balatro already arrived on iPhone, iPad and Android on September 26, 2024. The practical choice now is between the standalone premium app on your platform and Apple Arcade’s subscription-based Balatro+ edition—not whether the mobile port is still on the way.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
