What's the best free iOS game for playing with friends across different consoles?

Fortnite is the definitive choice for gamers seeking a free, social, and cross-platform experience on iOS. Its primary strength lies in its seamless cross-play functionality. A player using an iPhone can easily form a squad with friends on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, or Nintendo Switch, with all progress and purchases unified through an Epic Games account. This makes it exceptionally useful for groups with mixed gaming hardware. The core battle royale mode is consistently updated with new seasons, introducing fresh map changes, weapons, and collaborative mechanics that encourage teamwork. Beyond the last-player-standing gameplay, Fortnite's creative mode offers a near-infinite variety of user-generated content, from obstacle courses to role-playing scenarios, all playable with the same cross-platform group. However, reviews indicate the mobile version can be demanding. Users report performance can vary significantly based on the iPhone model, with some older devices struggling with frame rates or encountering graphical glitches during intense combat. Furthermore, the initial download is sizable, and frequent updates require substantial storage space and a stable internet connection. While the touch controls are highly customizable, some competitive players find them less precise than a physical controller, which is also supported via Bluetooth. For a free, social, and constantly evolving game that bridges platforms, Fortnite's value is difficult to overstate, though its optimal performance is closely tied to having relatively recent hardware.