Borderlands Mobile is live right now as a free‑to‑play iOS test in the United States, published by Zynga and developed by NaturalMotion with creative guidance from Gearbox. It’s an untitled Borderlands mobile project running as a “limited‑time test,” not a full global launch, and it currently only appears on the US App Store for iPhone.
| Status in test build (April 2026) | |
|---|---|
| Platform | iOS (iPhone) only |
| Region | US App Store, region‑locked |
| Price | Free‑to‑play download |
| Developer | NaturalMotion (Zynga studio) |
| Franchise role | Untitled Borderlands mobile project with Gearbox guidance |
| Modes listed | Campaign Missions, Tower of Terror, Circle of Slaughter |
| Release state | Limited‑time test / soft launch |
If you’re on a US iPhone, you can download it directly from the App Store by searching for “Borderlands Mobile” under Zynga Inc. or heading to the game’s store page and tapping Get. Players outside the US are currently running into region locks, and there is no official Android version, worldwide rollout date, or end date for the test.
This guide is written for curious Borderlands fans on iPhone who want to jump into the mobile test, understand how loot and missions work in this build, and decide whether it’s worth their time while it’s available.
How to download Borderlands Mobile on iOS (US)
If you’re in the US on an iPhone and just want to get in, here’s the short version:
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Open the App Store on your iPhone.
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Search for “Borderlands Mobile” and look for the version published by Zynga Inc.
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Check that your device meets the iOS version and hardware requirements listed on the store page.
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Tap Get to download and install the game (it’s free‑to‑play during this test).
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Launch the game, accept any permissions, and complete the initial login/tutorial.
Players in other regions currently can’t download it through normal means, as the listing is US App Store–only and region‑locked.
What exactly is Borderlands Mobile right now?
Borderlands Mobile is a mission‑based looter shooter built specifically for mobile, drawing on the Borderlands art style, enemies, and loot loop. Zynga has confirmed that its NaturalMotion studio is running a “limited‑time test” for an untitled Borderlands mobile project, with Gearbox providing creative guidance on design, history, and lore.
The App Store description highlights short mission types such as Campaign Missions, Tower of Terror, and Circle of Slaughter, where you fight skags, bandits, and bosses while hunting for legendary loot drops. It also notes that combat has been optimized for touch controls and that the game is free‑to‑play.
Zynga and multiple outlets all frame this as a test build rather than a finished release, which means balance, performance, and even systems like monetization are subject to change. So if you hop in now, treat it as an early look rather than the final word on Borderlands on mobile.
Can you play it on iPad or Android?
Short answer: officially, this test is iPhone‑only in the US, with no Android or global release confirmed.
Reports from tracking tools and press coverage state that the current build is only available on the US App Store and is listed for iPhone. Some early players mention that the game runs on iPad with display quirks, but Zynga has not promoted tablet support as a primary target for the test.
On Android, there is no official client, pre‑registration, or store page at the time of writing. Zynga’s statement calls this “a limited‑time test for an untitled Borderlands mobile project” and does not attach any Android window or promise. If you’re on Android, the realistic move for now is to wait for a formal announcement rather than chasing APKs or off‑store builds that may not be legitimate.
How loot and missions work in the current test
From the official description and early coverage, the test build focuses on bite‑sized missions and familiar Borderlands loot chasing. You’re dropped into runs where you clear out skags, bandits, and bosses, then chase better weapons and gear to push further into modes like Campaign Missions, Tower of Terror, and Circle of Slaughter.
Zynga’s blurb emphasizes legendary loot drops and the ability to “power up your abilities to customize the way you play,” which lines up with core Borderlands ideas: stacking better guns, tweaking skills, and making enemies explode into piles of numbers and items. The key difference is pacing: missions are built to be shorter and more session‑friendly than the multi‑hour stretches you might put into Borderlands 2 or 3 on PC or console.
Details like drop rates, endgame loops, and specific build archetypes are not fully documented yet and could change during the test. For now, think of it as a lighter, mobile‑first slice of Borderlands where you’re chasing color‑coded loot and incremental upgrades instead of running a full campaign with big story beats.
Is Borderlands Mobile worth playing in this early state?
If you’re a Borderlands fan on a US iPhone, the test is worth a download just to see how the formula translates to touch controls and shorter missions. The game is free to install, and Zynga is openly asking for player feedback during this period, which suggests tuning is very much ongoing.
For more competitive or progression‑obsessed players, it’s important to remember that test builds are unstable ground. Progress may be wiped, balance is likely to shift, and systems like monetization can evolve between test and launch. None of the official statements so far confirm long‑term account carries or final monetization details.
Player insight: Right now, Borderlands Mobile makes the most sense if you treat it as a side project next to your main Borderlands or other live games. Jump in, mess around with a few mission types, see how the guns feel on touch, and then decide whether you’d want to keep grinding if and when a full launch lands.
