How to Sell Mobile iOS Games
By AppAcquire · 6 May 2026 · 8 min read
Selling a mobile iOS game is different from selling a utility app. Buyers look closely at retention, monetisation depth, live-ops quality, and whether growth is repeatable after acquisition. This guide explains how to package your game for sale and close with confidence.
Key takeaways
- Game buyers prioritize retention and monetisation KPIs over raw downloads.
- Present clean cohorts, payer metrics, and ad/IAP split before listing.
- A game with stable content cadence and low technical debt commands stronger multiples.
- Use escrow and a structured handover covering source, backend, live-ops, and creative assets.
The KPIs buyers actually care about
For iOS games, buyers focus on engagement and monetisation quality first. Include at minimum D1/D7/D30 retention, session frequency, average session length, ARPDAU, payer conversion, and average revenue per paying user. If your game relies on ads, include fill rate, eCPM trends, and ad revenue share by network.
Show KPI trends over 6-12 months instead of one-off peaks. Cohort views are especially useful: they help buyers judge whether your core loop and economy still perform for new players, not only legacy users.
How iOS games are valued
Most iOS game deals are priced on annualized net profit or revenue multiples. Games with stable retention and proven UA payback tend to be valued higher than games with volatile revenue spikes. A common range is roughly 2x-5x annual profit, with stronger assets pushing above that when risk is low and growth levers are clear.
Multiples improve when you can prove: (1) durable retention, (2) repeatable monetisation, and (3) low operational fragility. Heavy dependency on one ad network, one geo, or one operator typically pushes the multiple down.
How to prepare your game data room
Build a simple, buyer-friendly data room before listing. Include:
- Monthly P&L with clear ad, IAP, and subscription split
- Retention cohorts and core funnel metrics
- Live-ops calendar, event performance, and content production workflow
- UA history with CPI, ROAS/payback where available
- Tech stack map (backend, analytics, attribution, ad mediation, push tools)
- Source repo access plan and build/release documentation
If buyers can validate the business quickly, deals move faster and you reduce renegotiation risk late in due diligence.
How to position your listing
Keep the listing practical: genre, core audience, monetisation model, and why players stick. Be explicit about what is included in the sale: codebase, App Store listing, ad/analytics setup, art files, and any outsourced relationships.
Mention realistic growth levers the next owner can execute quickly, such as better onboarding, event cadence improvements, or tested UA channels. Serious buyers respond better to clear execution paths than vague “huge potential” claims.
Transfer and handover checklist
Once terms are agreed, use escrow and transfer in stages: legal agreement, funds in escrow, Apple transfer initiation, and then technical handover. For games, the handover usually includes more moving parts than standard apps.
- App Store Connect transfer and entitlement checks
- Backend infrastructure and admin dashboard access
- Ad mediation, attribution, analytics, and push tooling access
- Creative asset source files and event content templates
- 30-day support window for live-ops and release handoff
Ready to sell?
List your app on AppAcquire and reach serious buyers. We curate listings and verify data so both sides can transact with confidence.
Sources
Further reading and references used in this guide. Links open in a new window and are not affiliated with AppAcquire.