The furry thief from the forest is now appearing on the subway. Apple is bringing two of its most-played Arcade titles together and will release an update in mid-September that gives the game a completely new gameplay element. However, to see both, you'll need the right device.
Apple released an update in its Newsroom on August 27th, bringing together three new features for Sneaky Sasquatch: a limited-time crossover with Subway Surfers+, a major game update for September 17th, and new stickers for the Messages app. The game has held a special place in Apple's catalog since Apple acquired the Canadian two-person studio RAC7 in May 2025. Since then, Apple has been developing the title independently, and this latest announcement is the most visible step in that direction so far.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The crossover is running now and ends on October 7th. Sasquatch's visuals, four character skins, and two hoverboards will be moved to Subway Surfers+.
- On September 17th, birdwatching comes into play, with more than 30 species being photographed and recorded in a database.
- Eleven new sticker designs have been released to celebrate the game's anniversary, complementing the existing Sneaky Sasquatch pack.
- The crossover level is tied to Subway Surfers+ – and that doesn't run on every device that can play Sneaky Sasquatch.
- Apple Arcade costs €6.99 per month or €49.99 per year in Germany.
What the crossover brings into play
Until October 7th, the world of Sneaky Sasquatch will adopt the visual style of Subway Surfers+. Four character skins and two unique hoverboards are playable, along with a revamped level inspired by locations from Sasquatch Valley.
The details go further than is usual for such promotions. The classic gold coins have been replaced by raccoon coins, and the security guard from the endless runner appears disguised as a ranger – the role Sasquatch has been hiding from in his own game since 2019.
Both titles are included in the same subscription; no additional purchase is necessary. The crossover game is exclusively available within Apple Arcade and not in the free App Store version of Subway Surfers.
Birdwatching from September 17th
The second part of the announcement is the bigger one. On September 17th, more than 30 bird species will appear in the game world, waiting to be tracked down, photographed, and recorded. Players who submit a photo hand it in to the ornithologist, who enters the sighting into a database and awards rewards.
The evaluation process doesn't just consider whether the animal is in the picture. Apple describes a scoring system based on image composition and subject matter, with bonus points for rare species, first sightings, and photos showing multiple birds. This places birdwatching in a collection of pastimes ranging from skiing and car racing to visiting the doctor.
The release is scheduled for eight days after Apple's keynote on September 9th, a week when Apple is already the focus of attention. Shortly before that, on September 3rd, two puzzle titles will be added to the catalog.
Eleven new stickers for the birthday
To celebrate the game's anniversary, eleven new sticker designs are already available. They will not be released as a separate pack, but will be integrated into the existing Sneaky Sasquatch pack, which has been available in the App Store since November 2025 and features funny faces and campsite themes.
Those who have already installed the package will find the new designs directly in the messaging app after the update, without a second download.
On which devices does the Crossover run
Herein lies the practical limitation of this promotion. Sneaky Sasquatch is an Arcade Original and therefore playable on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K, and Apple Vision Pro. Subway Surfers+, on the other hand, is one of the App Store's Legendary Games – according to Apple's catalog information, these titles are available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro. The Subway Surfers+ App Store page lists precisely these devices.
| Title | iPhone | iPad | Mac | Apple TV 4K | Vision Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sneaky Sasquatch (Arcade Original) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Subway Surfers+ | Yes | Yes | – | – | Yes |
The crossover level is included in Subway Surfers+. Those who have primarily played Sneaky Sasquatch on their Mac or Apple TV so far can't access the action and must use their iPhone or iPad. The bird update on September 17th doesn't affect this limitation – it's included in the main game and therefore available on all five device types.
There are no additional costs for subscribers. Apple Arcade costs €6.99 per month or €49.99 per year in Germany, and can be shared with up to five other people via Family Sharing.
Cross-promotion without purchase incentive
Limited-time collaborations between two games are a standard tool in the mobile business – usually to win back players and sell them a bundle of skins. This second part is precisely what's missing here, because Arcade has neither advertising nor in-app purchases. What remains is the advertising effect within Apple itself: Apple moves subscribers from one catalog title to the next, thus keeping them engaged.
Apple's heavy focus on Sneaky Sasquatch stems from its ownership structure. The game is the only major Arcade title whose studio is owned by Apple, and Arcade chief Alex Rofman announced further updates for the coming months in the press release. Since the acquisition, a sticker pack was released in November 2025, the farming expansion Harvest to Harbor followed on December 16th, and now Crossover plus birdwatching. Our expectation: This pattern of game updates and accompanying promotions will continue because Apple has sole control over the content.
If you're playing on your iPhone, it's worth checking out before October 7th; on Mac or Apple TV, it won't be interesting until September 17th. Will you stick around for the weeks until the end of the crossover, or are you waiting for the birdwatching feature in the main game? Let us know in the comments which of the two new features will draw you back into the game sooner.
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