How to Play Honor of Kings on iOS (2026 Guide)

To play Honor of Kings on iOS, install the official game from Apple’s App Store, complete its first-launch setup, learn the touchscreen controls, and start with an unranked match after the tutorial. The current international edition requires iOS 13 or later on iPhone and iPadOS 13 or later on iPad. The publisher announced this minimum-version change on September 17, 2026, effective with Season 16 on September 23, 2026. Store availability, download size, sign-in choices, and playlists can vary by region or update, so check the listing and prompts on your device.

Check compatibility before downloading

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and check the installed system version under General > About. If the device can update, use General > Software Update before installing the game. A device that cannot run iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 does not meet the current minimum for the international version.

Honor of Kings is free to download in the App Store, with optional in-app purchases. The exact listing and availability depend on the country or region set for your Apple Account. If the game does not appear, open the official listing directly and check the storefront message; do not use an unofficial download profile or a file-sharing site. The App Store listing shows the current app size, but the game may download additional resources after installation, so leave extra free storage rather than relying on a fixed estimate.

How to play Honor of Kings on iOS, step by step

1. Install the official App Store version

Open the App Store and search for Honor of Kings. Check that the app is published by Level Infinite, then tap the download button and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple Account password. You can also use the official App Store link below. Avoid similarly named apps and third-party installation instructions: the App Store version is the supported route for iPhone and iPad.
2. Launch the game and finish setup

Open the app and follow its welcome screens. Choose one of the sign-in methods currently offered in your region. If the game gives you a guest option, consider linking or binding the account through the in-game account settings before changing devices or reinstalling; the official support center has separate help for guest, email, and third-party login issues. Keep the game open on a reliable Wi-Fi connection while it checks for updates and downloads any extra resources. The initial package shown by Apple may not represent the final space used after those downloads.

If a permission prompt appears, read it and allow only what you want to use. You do not need to share account credentials with another player or a third-party site to start a match.
3. Learn the touchscreen controls

Honor of Kings on iPhone and iPad is played through its on-screen controls. In a standard landscape match, use the virtual movement control on the left side to steer your hero. The action area on the right contains the basic attack and hero abilities; the exact buttons and targeting behavior can differ by hero and control settings.

Before entering a competitive queue, use the tutorial or practice option shown in your client. Move around without fighting, tap each ability to read its description, and try aiming a skill only when its indicator appears. If the buttons feel too small or awkward, check the in-game control settings for available layout, size, or targeting adjustments. These menus can change between versions, so follow the labels displayed in your current client.
4. Read the map and choose a team role

A standard match is a five-player team battle on a map with three lanes, a river, and jungle areas. The official site identifies five assignments: Clash Lane, Jungler, Mid Lane, Farm Lane, and Roamer. Each assignment contributes differently, so read the lane or role prompt during hero selection and avoid sending several teammates to the same assignment unless your team has agreed to it.

Watch the minimap as you move. Towers defend the lanes, while the river and jungle connect parts of the map and can hide opponents. Clear nearby waves and take safe opportunities to help teammates, but do not chase an enemy so far that you leave a lane or objective undefended. The win condition is to push through the opposing defenses and destroy the enemy crystal; chasing eliminations alone does not win the match.
5. Start with a low-pressure match

After the tutorial, choose an introductory, casual, or unranked playlist available in your client. Exact mode names and unlock requirements can change, so use the choices currently shown instead of relying on an old menu guide. Pick a hero whose abilities are easy for you to understand, follow the recommended equipment if it is offered, and stay near your assigned lane at the start.

For your first match, focus on a few basics: move with your team, check the minimap between fights, protect nearby towers, and retreat when your hero is low on health. Use abilities when they help secure a safe objective or defend an ally, rather than tapping every button as soon as it lights up. After the match, review what each ability does and try the same hero again before switching roles.

iPhone and iPad tips for smoother matches

Use a stable connection. Honor of Kings is an online team game. Prefer reliable Wi-Fi when available, especially for the first resource download, and avoid switching networks during a match.
Prepare your screen. Play in landscape, hold the device comfortably with both hands, and make sure gestures or a case are not covering important touch areas.
Reduce interruptions. Turn on a Focus mode if you want fewer calls and notifications during a match. Check that you can still receive alerts you consider important.
Learn one hero first. A small hero pool makes it easier to remember ability ranges, cooldowns, and your role while learning the map.
Check updates in the right place. Get the app update from the App Store and any in-game resource update from the game itself. Do not install unofficial configuration files to fix a normal update delay.

Common iOS problems and fixes

Honor of Kings does not appear in my App Store

Confirm that you searched the exact game name and checked the official listing. App availability can differ by storefront. If Apple says the app is unavailable in your region, use the official website or App Store page for current release information rather than following unofficial installation links.

The game will not install or update

Check that the device meets the iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 minimum, that enough storage is free, and that the connection is stable. Reopen the App Store and check for a pending update. If the device is below the minimum and cannot update, it will not be able to run the current international version.

The first launch is taking a long time

Keep the app open on a stable network and allow its resource check to finish. If progress stops, close and reopen the game once, then check the official support center for a current loading or update notice. Avoid deleting the app until you know how your account is linked and recoverable.

I cannot access my account

Use the same login channel you selected when you created or linked the account. The official customer-support site lists help for guest accounts, third-party login, and email login. If those steps do not resolve the issue, contact support through the in-game customer-service area or the official support site; never send your password to someone claiming to recover it for you.

Frequently asked questions

Is Honor of Kings free on iOS?

The App Store lists Honor of Kings as free with in-app purchases. Optional purchases are separate from downloading the game.

Can I play Honor of Kings on an iPad?

Yes, if the iPad meets the current iPadOS 13 minimum and the game is available in its App Store region. Check the live listing for the device-specific compatibility details.

How much storage does Honor of Kings need?

There is no dependable fixed figure for every version: the App Store package and additional in-game resources can change. Check the current listing and leave free space for updates and resource downloads.

Does the game support a controller on iOS?

This guide uses the standard touchscreen controls. The official App Store listing does not establish controller support, so check the current in-game settings and listing before buying a controller specifically for Honor of Kings.