Borderlands Mobile: Everything We Know

Borderlands Mobile is a first-person looter shooter spin-off based on the Borderlands franchise that launched on mobile platforms on April 9, 2026, specifically on iOS platforms. But I’m afraid it’s no longer available to play, having been delisted on April 28, 2026. But I presume it’ll soon come back, and this time to stay, given that the initial launch was only meant to be a limited-time test. You know, the kind of beta and alpha tests that developers carry out on an unfinished game before the actual launch, so they can collect user feedback and iron out the issues they bring up. 

So, in case you missed it, don’t worry. The test was pretty low-key, so hardly anyone knew about it. And by the time it was catching on, it was already too late to join. Fans have been talking about how surprisingly impressive the mobile version was, though. Based on the hype, the final product might actually be a showstopper. But first, let’s see everything we know about Borderlands Mobile so far. 

What is Borderlands Mobile?

Borderlands Mobile was a mobile first-person looter shooter spin-off based on the Borderlands series, released on iOS platforms on April 9, 2026. It was a limited-time test that players enjoyed until April 17, when new players couldn’t join. And continued its run until April 28, 2026, when the test closed, and the game was unlisted on the iOS store.

Despite being a limited-test run, the game looked and ran pretty smoothly. Perhaps even as good as the console Borderlands 4 version. However, it was free-to-play and was already showing signs of a heavy microtransaction model. You also only got access to a few features, with more features listed as “coming soon,” and that makes sense given it was a test version. 

Limited-time tests, or “soft-launchs” aren’t new to gaming. They help developers gauge how well a game performs, whether they need to fix certain issues, or the whole design flow. This also suggests that it might be a while before the final game is out. 

However, since Borderlands Mobile is likely to have battle passes, perhaps we might see it launch soon, with future content or seasonal updates.

Story

While Borderlands Mobile was based on the Borderlands franchise, its setting was from the Borderlands 3 era. Players enjoyed similar gameplay to the OG, taking up missions and activities to complete. Being free-to-play, players also accessed a barebones monetization system that came with daily rewards. 

You only had one character you could control, called the Summoner. The rest will come after launch, including the Exo-Tank, Outrider, and Assassin, which players got sneak peeks of into their skills and looks. The Seeker Talons skill sounds pretty interesting, especially since it isn’t in previous Borderlands games. True to name, and previous Borderlands games, the Summoner summons her companion Nigel using her action skill Good Boy. 

Gameplay

The gameplay was also surprisingly in-depth. It had a prologue, with mission chapters. And you even got to fight a raid boss. At its core, the story and gameplay are similar to the Borderlands franchise. You’ll still be playing a looter shooter game, where you blast through mobs and loot their weapons and gear. You’re Vault Hunters, and you cause chaos everywhere you go, exploring an ever-evolving universe of crime, greed, and corruption.

Just as exhilarating as the gameplay was in Borderlands, so was the looting and shooting in Borderlands Mobile. And made more so by retaining the vibrant, eclectic art style of the series. The extraordinary abilities and skills you finesse, and tons of customization options for your weapons. The game’s description gave players a teaser that they’d wield all manner of guns and rocket launchers against bandits and bosses. You’ll complete various missions in the world, whether advancing the campaign or climbing the tower of terror. 

Development

NaturalMotion is working on Borderlands Mobile, alongside the mobile publisher, Zynga. Before the limited-time test was launched, there was no marketing for the game at all. No one knew it was coming, and it was delisted before many players downloaded it. 

Yet, the soft-launch might actually have been a success. Despite the reservations you might have about using touchscreen controls for a first-person shooter Borderlands game, it actually looked and played pretty well. 

I doubt Zynga will launch the game squarely on iOS platforms. The “Borderlands Mobile” might also be a stand-in before a final name is set in stone.

Trailer

Borderlands Mobile had no marketing at all, including no trailer release. But Zynga has confirmed that it’s a mobile spin-off of Borderlands that is, indeed, currently in development. You can, in the meantime, check out footage of the limited-test gameplay, keeping in mind that the design and combat will likely change once the final game is out. The video shows your exploration of Pandora, playing the role of a Vault Hunter who meets Clap Trap and sets forth on a new adventure. 

Release Date, Platforms, & Editions

Now that Borderlands Mobile has been pulled down from the iOS store, and no information has been released about when it might release its final version, we’re left anticipating a hopefully not too faraway launch. It’s difficult to pinpoint a timeframe, given that we have no information at all about the development progress. No one knew the game was in development to begin with, and the limited-time test came as a surprise to the gaming community.

Nevertheless, Zynga confirms that they are working with British developing studio NaturalMotion and Gearbox, who has been providing support on adapting the design and lore of the Borderlands universe.

Even though the limited-time test was only released on iOS platforms and in the US only, the final game will likely launch on Android, too. For now, you can stay up to date on any new announcements on Zynga’s official social media handle. Gearbox has strangely not said anything about Borderlands Mobile, but as we draw near to the release date, we might hear from them, too.