Plants vs. Zombies HD Is Shutting Down: What Happened And Alternatives
EA is shutting down Plants vs. Zombies HD (iOS/iPad) after 17 years. Delisted from App Store in March 2026; in-app purchases off. Servers end June 24, 2026, blocking online features & bonuses. Offline play continues.
Status
Shutting Down Soon
Estimated timeline
June 24, 2026
Category
Video Game
What is happening?
Plants vs. Zombies HD, the beloved 2009 iPad-optimized version, faces shutdown after 17 years. EA added it to its service sunset list on March 24, 2026, delisting it from the App Store days later and disabling in-app purchases. Servers will go offline on June 24, 2026.
Impact
Existing owners can redownload and play offline forever, including core Adventure mode and mini-games. Online elements like leaderboards, multiplayer, and server-dependent bonuses vanish post-shutdown.
Why Now
The app hadn't updated in years, causing crashes and instability on modern iOS. EA directs fans to the standard mobile PvZ, criticized for ads and paywalls-unlike the ad-free HD edition.
Community Response
Fans mourn the "best mobile PvZ" on Reddit and YouTube, with calls to preserve it. No Android equivalent shutdown reported. EA's PvZ: Replanted (PC remaster) offers a modern alternative.
Best alternatives
Free sequel with endless worlds, new plants/zombies, events, and time-travel levels.
Ad-supported original PvZ port for Android/iOS with core gameplay and coin rewards.
2025 PC remaster of original with updated graphics, 60FPS, and faithful mechanics.
Collectible card battle spin-off with plant/zombie decks and strategic PvP.
Minimalist tower defense shooter with plants defending against waves of enemies.
PvZ clone with flower defenders, zombie hordes, and progression upgrades.
Side-scrolling shooter with plant-like defenses against endless zombies.
Runner with tower defense elements, weapons, and zombie apocalypse survival.