The new Apple Sports app gives iPhone users a handy tool for tracking sports scores and stats. Previously buried inside Apple News, the constantly updated sports data becomes much more accessible when delivered via a dedicated iPhone sports app.
You can choose which teams and leagues you follow, get live updates on scores (and betting odds), and tap to open live coverage of the game in a streaming app.
The official Apple Sports app is available on the App Store now. Here’s how to use it.
How to download, set up and use Apple Sports for iPhone
Unfortunately, the Apple Sports app is an iPhone-exclusive app. Sorry if you wanted to check in on the game from your iPad, Mac or Vision Pro.
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Time needed: 5 minutes
How to get, set up and use the Apple Sports app for iPhone
- Download Apple Sports from the App Store
Tap here to download the app for free from the App Store, or search for “Apple Sports” in the iOS App Store.
Tap Get (you may need to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID). Then tap Open.
- Add teams or leagues to follow
When you first open the Apple Sports app on your iPhone, you’ll see a splash screen. Tap Continue. If you previously followed teams on Apple News, the same teams will automatically appear here.
To start a follow list, tap Get Started. You can search using the search bar, or browse for a team by sports league below. (If you’re confused as to why there are no NFL teams, it’s just because it’s the off-season.)
Tap the star next to a team (or a whole league) to follow. Tap Done when you’ve made your picks and × to close.
- See upcoming games and recent scores
The tabs on the top of the iPhone sports app let you see last night’s scores, today’s games or what’s coming up. Tapping on a current or past game will show you all kinds of detailed stats. Tap on an upcoming game to see the current league standings and betting odds.
- Turn on Live Activities or tune into a live game
When a game is live, you’ll see two additional button on the game screen. Follow Live Activity, in the upper right, shows the scores of a game in the status bar of your iPhone and on your Apple Watch (in watchOS 11). Below the scores, you’ll see an Open in Apple TV button to watch the game live through whichever streaming service is carrying the game.
- Browse scores from other teams and leagues
Tap the menu in the top right of the Apple Sports app and browse through the leagues to see scores for teams you’re not directly following. If you want to add one, tap Manage and star one. Get back to your teams by tapping the menu again and tapping My Teams.
I’ve found it’s a much nicer experience than digging through Apple News. Compared to other apps, it doesn’t have any ads, clutter or accounts to sign into. It also updates incredibly fast — sometimes, faster than a streaming broadcast.
This article was originally published on February 22, 2024. It has been updated with the latest information.
