Pixel Pals are pets for iPhones
(Picture: Christian Selig)Apollo was a pixel-art cat that developer Christian Selig added to his iPhone Reddit app, a virtual kitty that prowled the top of the iPhone 14 Pro’s new Dynamic Island, whenever a user was browsing Reddit, that would even sit as a lock-screen widget when the handset wasn’t in use.
Okay y'all, I think I found the best idea for the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro. I added a cat that lives up there like a tamagotchi and just hangs out and does cute stuff as you browse Reddit in my app (Apollo). pic.twitter.com/xJJlazHH4E
— Christian Selig (@ChristianSelig) September 16, 2022
This little Easter egg grew extraordinarily popular and, just over a month later, Pixel Pals is available as a dedicated app in its own right, for those who don’t want to waste several hours a day scrolling Reddit (but don’t mind a few minutes a day playing with a virtual pet). It’s taking the App Store by storm.
Here’s what you need to know about Pixel Pals.
What are Pixel Pals?
Remember Tamagotchi? Well, Pixel Pals are a bit like that: virtual pixel-art pets that live in the Dynamic Island at the top of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
What started as a fun extra in the Apollo Reddit app is now an app in its own right, and it’s a bit more ambitious. You can pick from eight different pets (ranging from a cat called Hugo to an axolotl named Mochi) and build a relationship with your virtual pal over time via playtime and food.
With my new Pixel Pals app, you can finally have adorable pets in the new Dynamic Island 24/7, *everywhere*, fully animated and cute as heck. they're freeeeeeeee! pic.twitter.com/3hPL8FaUiY
— Christian Selig (@ChristianSelig) October 24, 2022
When not in the app, with the latest version of iOS on iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, your Pixel Pal will just chill in the Dynamic Island — the area surrounding the front-facing camera on Apple’s newest flagship phones.
Can I get Pixel Pals for other iPhones?
While originally introduced as a fun extra for the Dynamic Island, owners of the regular iPhone 14 or older iOS devices can also take part in a slightly more limited way. On handsets with the older notch, Pixel Pals live on your lock screen as a Live Activity or as a home-screen widget.
All you’re really missing by not paying extra for an iPhone 14 Pro is your pet’s persistent presence in the Dynamic Island.
How much does it cost?
Pixel Pals is free to download and use, but the free version only lets you adopt the cat (Hugo) or the dog (Rupert). Paying will also allow you to keep a second Pixel Pal in your Dynamic Island, too.
It costs £1.99 per month or £14.99 for a yearly subscription. There’s a launch discount at the moment, taking the price down to £1.49 and £9.99, respectively.
