Ubisoft's long-awaited Rainbow Six Mobile is finally nearing release.
After more than 6 years in development, the game has announced to enter Phase 3, its final pre-launch stage.
For R6 players, this is the closest the franchise has come to recreating its tense, gadget-driven 5v5 battles on mobile.
Ubi says the team is now focused on global server rollout, balance tuning, and final bug fixes before submitting the build to Apple and Google for worldwide approval.
Release Information
| Platforms | iOS and Android |
| Price | Free-to-play with in-app purchases |
| Release Window | TBA (likely late 2025 or early 2026) |
| Pre-registration | Available now on Google Play and App Store |
It's notable that player progression in Rainbow Six Mobile is tied to Ubisoft Connect accounts, ensuring that progress made during the soft launch will carry over to the global release.
However, progress is not shared between iOS and Android devices, meaning an account on one platform cannot transfer to the other.
Also, progress from the PC version of Rainbow Six Siege does not carry over—the mobile version is a standalone build designed specifically for touch-based gameplay.
Development Progress
Development began in mid-2019, led by Ubisoft Montreal with support from ten other Ubisoft studios worldwide, including Winnipeg, Quebec, Bucharest, Chengdu, Pune, and Shanghai. Tencent also offered production and network expertise.
After being announced in April 2022, the game entered multiple closed betas and soft-launch tests in select markets. Testing resumed in November 2024 with Season Ice Storm, marking the start of its final roadmap.
(Rainbow Six Mobile - Season Ice Storm | Source: Ubisoft)
Current soft-launch regions include Canada, France, Poland, and several Latin American countries.
Ubisoft says these test markets help refine matchmaking, network stability, and device optimization before the global rollout.
Gameplay
Rainbow Six Mobile offers a 5v5 tactical shooter experience built from the ground up for mobile.
Like Siege, it pits Attackers vs. Defenders in one-life-per-round combat across destructible environments.
Each round starts with a preparation phase where Attackers scout with drones and Defenders fortify objectives.
Explosives and bullets react differently to soft or reinforced walls, staying true to Siege's tactical depth while trimming match length for quick sessions.
Game Modes
| Bomb | Classic plant-and-defuse objective. |
| Secure Area | Capture and hold the zone to win. |
| Team Deathmatch | Continuous respawns for faster play. |
| Bomb Rush | Streamlined variant with preset Operators and shorter phases. |
| Limited Events | Rotating seasonal or experimental modes. |
Operators
(Playable Attackers in Rainbow Six Mobile | Source: Ubisoft)
Rainbow Six Mobile features 12 Attackers (e.g., Ash, Sledge, Thermite, Buck, Dokkaebi, Twitch) and 12 Defenders (e.g., Smoke, Mute, Rook, Mira, Bandit, Caveira).
(Playable Defenders in Rainbow Six Mobile | Source: Ubisoft)
Each Operator comes with unique gadgets and perks that can be unlocked and upgraded through gameplay.
Players can try Operators before unlocking them via Renown or Battle Pass rewards.
Maps
Classic Siege maps are rebuilt for mobile, including Bank, Border, Clubhouse, and Oregon, optimized for touch controls and mobile performance with simplified layouts (no ladders, adjusted verticality).
(Rainbow Six Mobile Maps | Source: Ubisoft)
Comparison to PC Rainbow Six Siege
While Rainbow Six Mobile draws heavily from the tactical foundation of Rainbow Six Siege, it is not a direct port.
The mobile version has been rebuilt from the ground up for phones and tablets, using a Unity engine tailored for touch controls.
Core Siege mechanics such as drone reconnaissance, operator gadgets, destructible walls, and one-life-per-round gameplay remain intact, preserving the franchise's tactical identity.
However, the maps and layouts have been streamlined for mobile, removing ladders and simplifying verticality to make rounds faster and easier to navigate on smaller screens.
(Rainbow Six Mobile Touch UI | Source: Ubisoft)
Controls have also been optimized for touch input, with optional controller support, while pacing has been adjusted to suit shorter, on-the-go play sessions.
Overall, the mobile version keeps the strategic depth and team coordination that Siege players expect, while adapting the experience for mobile accessibility and performance.
Comparison to Other Mobile Shooters
The current mobile market already has several PC-to-mobile shooter adaptations, such as COD Mobile and PUBG Mobile, which dominate the genre.
However, in this highly competitive space, Rainbow Six Mobile still shows significant potential: there is currently a lack of officially adapted round-based shooters on mobile at a global scale.
To see how Rainbow Six Mobile stacks up against other popular mobile shooters, here's a quick comparison of team size, match format, objectives, and pacing across five major titles:
| Team Size | Respawns | Main Objective | Pace / Match Length | |
| Rainbow Six Mobile | 5 v 5 | One life per round | Attack / Defend | Medium, tactical |
| VALORANT Mobile | 5 v 5 | One life per round | Attack / Defend | Medium, tactical |
| PUBG Mobile | Solo / Duo / Squad | One life per match | Battle Royale | Long, survival-focused |
| Free Fire | Solo / Duo / Squad | One life per match | Battle Royale | Very short, casual |
| Call of Duty: Mobile | 5 v 5 (MP) | Respawns | TDM, Domination, BR | Fast, arcade‑style |
Takeaways:
- Rainbow Six Mobile and VALORANT Mobile are round-based tactical shooters, rewarding strategy and team coordination.
- COD Mobile alternates between respawn-based multiplayer and longer battle royale modes for faster action.
- PUBG Mobile and Free Fire focus on single-life survival, emphasizing quick reflexes and long-term survival.
- Among these titles, R6 Mobile stands out as the most tactically rich and team-focused experience on mobile.
In my view, the main competitor will likely be Valorant Mobile, which is currently only available in China.
Its round-based gameplay, faithful recreation of the PC version, and mobile-exclusive weapon skins make it a strong contender in the mobile shooter market.
Editor's Comments
Ubisoft has taken its time, and the careful testing and feedback integration shows.
By pausing to overhaul systems and polish mechanics, the team has avoided many pitfalls common in mobile shooters.
If the global launch delivers stable servers, responsive controls, and fair progression, Rainbow Six Mobile could set a new standard for tactical shooters on mobile.
For Siege fans seeking a shorter, portable version of their favorite game, this may be the one worth waiting for.
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