Valorant Mobile Global Release Date: Everything We Know

The mobile gaming community has been eagerly awaiting Riot Games' tactical shooter on smartphones. After years of development and testing, we finally have concrete information about Valorant Mobile's release timeline and what to expect at launch.

Current Status & Timeline

China Release - LAUNCHED

Valorant Mobile officially launched in China on August 19, 2025 at the ChinaJoy Gaming Festival for both Android and iOS. The game achieved massive success with 60 million pre-registrations in China alone, demonstrating the incredible demand for mobile tactical shooters.

The China launch includes 18 agents, seven maps from VALORANT PC, two platform-exclusive Deathmatch maps, and 10 game modes.

Global Release Predictions

Following the successful China launch, we believe the game will be released in other regions like Korea, Japan, and possibly the USA before the full global release.

Based on the accelerated timeline and successful China launch, it's likely that the global release will happen in Q1 2026 (January-March). The earlier-than-expected China launch suggests Riot may be ahead of their original schedule.

An open beta for global players is expected to begin in late 2025.

Development Partnership & Progress

Valorant Mobile is developed by Riot Games in partnership with Tencent's subsidiary, Lightspeed Studios. They announced mobile development in June 2021, and after extensive testing and optimization, the game has successfully launched in its first major market.

Why China First?

China has the largest player base for mobile games and has always been the hub for mobile gaming. The massive 60 million pre-registrations within months of announcement proved this strategy correct.

With China being a priority market for mobile gaming, they launched there first to test server infrastructure, gather player feedback, and refine the mobile experience. Lightspeed Studios' headquarters in China also facilitated easier market entry.

Global Release Challenges

It remains uncertain how Riot will handle the launch of Valorant Mobile in India, as the government has banned Tencent-linked games like PUBG Mobile (though they later re-released BGMI, which is the Indian version of PUBG Mobile).

There has been no official information about when the game will release in major markets like the US, Japan, or South Korea.

Pre-Registration Information

Current Availability

Currently, the game is only available in China through Chinese app stores. However, after the global release, it will be available for download from the Google Play Store and App Store worldwide.

Global pre-registration is expected to open in late 2025, ahead of the global launch.

What to Expect at Global Launch

Game Features

At global launch, there will likely be 18 playable agents: Brimstone, Jett, Phoenix, Sage, Sova, Viper, Cypher, Reyna, Killjoy, Breach, Omen, Raze, Skye, Yoru, Astra, Chamber, Neon, and Iso.

Agents missing from the mobile version at launch include: KAY/O, Fade, Harbor, Gekko, Deadlock, Clove, Vyse, Tejo, and Waylay. These will become available with future patches.

For maps, there will be seven maps from the PC version: Ascent, Bind, Haven, Icebox, Breeze, Split, and Fracture. Mobile-exclusive maps will be released later in future updates.

The game follows a free-to-play model like the PC and console versions, with premium gun skins available for purchase (which won't impact gameplay or damage).

System Requirements

Minimum Requirements

Android:

Operating System: Android 5.0 or higher
Processor: Snapdragon 450 / MediaTek MT6763T / Kirin 710 or equivalent
RAM: 3GB
Storage: 8GB free space

iOS:

Operating System: iOS 12 or higher
Processor: A9 chip (iPhone 6S or newer)
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 10GB free space

Recommended Requirements

Android:

Operating System: Android 9.0 or higher
Processor: Snapdragon 480 / MediaTek Dimensity 720 / Kirin 810
RAM: 6GB

iOS:

Operating System: iOS 12 or higher
Processor: A12 chip (iPhone XR or newer)
RAM: 3GB

Mobile-Exclusive Features

Unique Additions

The mobile version includes several exclusive features:

Built-in replay system
Advanced cheat detection and hardware fingerprint detection
Real-time penalty systems
Custom rooms with extensive customization options
Ability to watch friends' matches in real-time
Enhanced MVP animations and other visual improvements

Tournament & Esports Plans

Competitive Scene

Esports infrastructure is already in full swing:

Valorant Mobile Show Cup 2025 successfully held in China with teams like Wolves and All Gamers
Massive $200 million investment (1.5 billion RMB) announced by Riot Games and Tencent over the next three years to develop the VALORANT Mobile esports ecosystem in China
OnePlus Ace5 Supreme designated as official tournament smartphone
Mobile esports expansion likely to operate separately from PC VCT circuit
Plans for international tournaments following global launch

Regional Rollout Strategy

The launch follows a phased approach:

Phase 1: China (August 19, 2025) ✅ COMPLETED
Phase 2: Korea, Japan, and select Asian markets (Late 2025)
Phase 3: Global release including US and Europe (Q1 2026)

How to Stay Updated

Official Channels

Follow Riot Games' official social media accounts for announcements
Monitor Riot Games' official channels for updates about open beta access in other countries
Check the official Valorant Mobile website for the latest news
Watch for official announcements at major gaming events

Bottom Line

With Valorant Mobile successfully launching in China on August 19, 2025, and achieving 60 million pre-registrations, the global gaming community can expect the worldwide release in early 2026. The successful China launch, backed by a $200 million esports investment, demonstrates Riot's commitment to creating a premium mobile tactical shooter experience.

The extended testing period in China will help ensure a smooth global launch, with refined gameplay, robust anti-cheat systems, and proven server infrastructure ready for worldwide players.