35 Best Apps to Play With Friends (iPhone & Android)
Look, sometimes you just wanna play something with your friends without making it complicated.
I can’t even count how many times I’ve been like, “hey, download this so we can play tonight.” It’s honestly one of the easiest ways to stay connected, even if you’re nowhere near each other.
So here’s a big list of apps you can try.
Some are goofy, some are competitive, some are just chill. Grab a few, share them with your friends, and see which ones you get hooked on. Have fun.
1. Among Us
This one’s a classic at this point.
You’re all little crewmates on a spaceship, but someone’s an impostor trying to take everyone out. It’s pure chaos in the best way.
Accusing your friends, defending yourself, lying straight to their faces—it never gets old. Easy to play on your phone, and honestly, it’s way more fun if you’re on a call yelling at each other while you play.
Also read: Best Apps to Play When You’re Bored
2. Heads Up!
Honestly, this one’s always a hit.
You just hold your phone to your forehead while your friends give you clues about the word on the screen. It’s silly, loud, and perfect for groups—even over video calls.
There are tons of categories, so you can go from acting out animals to guessing famous movies. It’s one of those games that never really gets old, especially if your friends are a little competitive.
3. Psych!
If you want to mess with your friends a bit, this one’s perfect.
Everyone makes up fake answers to real trivia questions, and you try to pick the right one. Or trick them into picking yours.
It’s hilarious seeing what people come up with. Great for a group chat vibe where everyone’s trying to outsmart each other.
4. UNO! Mobile
Classic card game energy right here.
You know the rules—reverse, skip, draw four, and ruin your friendships for the night.
The mobile version is super easy to use, and you can play with friends wherever they are. Perfect for when you want something familiar that still gets everyone fired up.
5. 8 Ball Pool
Super chill but weirdly addictive.
It’s exactly what it sounds like—playing pool with your friends on your phone. Aim, shoot, talk trash in the chat. It’s great for those times you don’t want anything complicated but still wanna feel like you’re hanging out.
6. Mario Kart Tour
Honestly, who doesn’t love Mario Kart? The mobile version lets you race your friends no matter where they are.
Same chaotic energy: shells flying, banana peels everywhere, that one friend who takes it way too seriously. It’s just a good time every single round.
7. Call of Duty: Mobile
For when you and your friends want something a bit more intense.
Full-on shooter action with solid graphics, loads of modes, and easy team play. You can squad up and strategize or just run around causing mayhem.
It’s surprisingly smooth for a mobile game and way too easy to lose hours on.
8. PUBG Mobile
If you’re into battle royale vibes, this one’s a classic.
Drop in with your friends, loot up, and try to be the last squad standing.
The maps are huge, and there’s always that one friend who insists on dropping in the hottest zone. Perfect for teaming up on voice chat and planning (or totally failing) your strategies.
9. Roblox
Honestly, this is less one game and more a whole universe.
You and your friends can jump into all kinds of user-made games together—from silly obstacle courses to role-playing towns.
It’s great because there’s always something new, and you can keep it super casual or find something surprisingly deep.
10. Words With Friends 2
This one’s for when you wanna slow it down and flex your vocabulary.
Basically Scrabble, but you can play it turn-by-turn whenever. Great for keeping a low-key game going in the background with friends, especially if you’re both busy but want something to check in on.
11. Scrabble GO
Another classic word game for those who like to keep it old-school.
Same basic deal as Words With Friends but with some flashy extras and challenges. It’s perfect for your competitive friends who think they know every weird two-letter word in the dictionary.
12. Monopoly (by Marmalade Game Studio)
If you want to test friendships, this is it.
The full classic Monopoly experience on your phone—complete with property trades, bankruptcies, and all the drama.
You can play online with friends no matter where they are. Just be prepared for those “I’m never playing with you again” moments.
13. Risk: Global Domination
World conquest with your friends, right from your phone.
It’s the classic board game—take over territories, make alliances (and break them), and try to dominate the map. Games can get intense and strategic, so it’s perfect for groups who want something with a bit more planning and betrayal.
14. Pictionary Air
Such a fun twist on the classic drawing game.
You draw in the air with your phone, and everyone else tries to guess what it is on their screens. It’s goofy, chaotic, and great for parties or video calls. Even your terrible drawing skills just make it better.
15. Houseparty (with games)
This one’s a video chat app, but with built-in games you can play while you talk.
Trivia, Heads Up, Quick Draw—it’s all right there. Super convenient for hanging out when you can’t be in the same room. It feels like a virtual hangout, not just a call.
16. Bunch – Group Video Chat & Games
Kind of like Houseparty’s cousin. Bunch lets you video chat and jump into different games together without switching apps. You can play classics like Pool, Draw Party, or even hop into compatible games you both have.
It’s an easy way to keep everyone connected and entertained.
17. Gartic Phone / Gartic.io
If you love silly drawing games, this one’s gold.
You take turns drawing and guessing, and the prompts get twisted as they pass around. It’s like a telephone but with doodles—and the final results are always ridiculous. Great for big groups who want to laugh at each other’s art skills.
18. Spaceteam
Absolute chaos in the best way.
You and your friends are all on a spaceship that’s falling apart, and you have to shout weird instructions at each other to keep it running.
It’s fast, loud, and hilarious—especially if everyone’s yelling over each other trying to fix stuff. Perfect for breaking the ice or just losing it laughing.
19. Evil Apples vs. Humanity
Think Cards Against Humanity, but on your phone. Everyone plays the funniest (or most messed-up) answer to the prompt, and one person picks the winner each round.
Super easy to play from anywhere, and it’s guaranteed to have everyone cracking up—if you’re okay with some dark humor.
20. Codenames
This is a really fun one if you like word games but want something social.
You split into teams and give each other clues to find your words on the grid without hitting the assassin. The mobile version is slick and easy to play with friends online.
It’s great for groups who want something a bit more thoughtful but still fun.
21. Jackbox Party Pack (via companion app)
If you’ve got someone streaming or sharing their screen, everyone else just uses their phones to play.
Tons of party games in one: trivia, drawing, bluffing—you name it. Perfect for virtual hangouts, game nights, or even family calls. All you need is one person to own the pack, and everyone else can join in free on their phones.
22. Chess.com
Classic, simple, but so good.
You can challenge friends to matches, chat while you play, and even do rematches all day. Whether you’re total beginners or taking it seriously, it’s such an easy way to keep a game going in the background and check in when you’ve got time.
23. Carcassonne
A perfect board game for when you want something chill but strategic.
You and your friends take turns laying down tiles to build medieval landscapes with roads, cities, and farms.
It’s surprisingly relaxing, but there’s enough strategy to keep everyone on their toes. Great for when you don’t want frantic tapping but still want to play together.
24. Ticket to Ride
Build train routes across the map and block your friends in the most polite way possible.
It’s the classic board game experience, but on your phone so you can play from anywhere. Super easy to learn, but you’ll be plotting and scheming your routes the whole time.
25. Exploding Kittens
Yep, it’s as ridiculous as it sounds. Draw cards and try not to explode.
There’s strategy, sabotage, and a lot of silly humor. The mobile version is really well done and lets you jump into games with friends quickly. Perfect for when you want something casual but entertaining.
26. Werewolf Online
If you’re into bluffing and social deduction games, this one’s for you.
Everyone gets a role—villager, werewolf, seer—and you try to figure out who’s lying. It’s all about convincing your friends you’re innocent (when you’re absolutely not). Great for big groups who love arguing and accusing each other.
27. Sky: Children of the Light
This one’s just beautiful. It’s more of an adventure than a competitive game.
You and your friends can fly around stunning landscapes, solve puzzles, and explore together. Super relaxing and perfect for when you want to hang out but don’t feel like competing or shouting.
28. Fortnite (where available)
If you want big battle royale energy on your phone, Fortnite’s still a blast.
Team up with friends, build forts on the fly, and try to outlast everyone else. The cross-platform play is solid, so you can squad up even if your friends are on console or PC. Perfect for long sessions and talking strategy (or just goofing around).
29. Stumble Guys
Think of it like a mobile-friendly, cartoony obstacle course battle. You and your friends race through ridiculous levels trying not to fall off or get smacked by giant hammers.
It’s fast, silly, and doesn’t take itself seriously at all. Super fun for when you just want to laugh and mess around.
30. Clash Royale
Quick, competitive matches that are weirdly addictive. Build your deck and battle your friends in real-time with little troops and spells.
It’s easy to pick up, but there’s a lot of strategy if you get into it. Perfect for sending that one friend a rematch request at 2 a.m.
31. Pokémon GO
Still going strong. Even if you’re not out walking together, you can battle your friends, trade, or team up for raids from anywhere.
It’s a nice way to stay connected and keep each other playing. Plus, if you’re both out exploring, you can share your catches and finds.
32. Minecraft (Mobile / Pocket Edition)
Honestly, endless possibilities. Build worlds, go on adventures, survive the night—whatever you want.
The best part is you can play together even if you’re far apart. Perfect for long-term projects or just hopping in to see what chaos your friends built while you were gone.
33. Brawl Stars
Fast-paced, super fun, and easy to get into. Team up with your friends for quick battles in different modes—brawls, heists, showdowns.
It’s got that classic Supercell polish and tons of characters to unlock. Great for jumping in for a few quick rounds when you’re both bored.
34. Trivia Crack
Perfect for flexing all those random facts you know. Challenge your friends to trivia matches on all kinds of topics.
It’s turn-based, so you don’t have to be online at the same time, making it easy to keep games going in the background without needing a full hangout.
35. Draw Something
The classic mobile Pictionary game. You draw a word, your friend guesses—it’s as simple and fun as that.
It’s perfect if you want something super casual that you can pick up anytime. Plus, the worse your drawings are, the funnier it gets.
Wrap Up
That’s the list.
Honestly, there’s something here no matter what mood you and your friends are in—chill, competitive, silly, or full-on chaos.
Pick a few, send them the download link, and see which ones become your new go-to hangouts.
Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter where everyone is—you can always find a way to play together. Have fun.
