Can you play iMessage games by yourself

Q: Can you play iPhone games against yourself?

You can play the games by yourself or with a friend, and its a great way to kill some free time. From classics like Connect Four, Chess and Darts, its easy to gain access to plenty of iMessage-compatible games which you can download directly from the app store for free.

Hello reddit nation- so earlier this morning I was unable to fall back asleep. So I stated sending all contacts iMessage game invites to try and pass time. So then it occurred to me, as the rest of my friends were apparently resting their eyes,“Why not try to invite myself into a game of 8 ball?!” Thus, I typed my number into the recipients box for an iMessage, selected the game I wanted to play, and voila, like magic, I began to play 8 ball with myself! I found it pretty cool. So now, if you’re ever stuck bored on commute, waiting helplessly for the end of the work day, or want to keep the kids preoccupied while you’re out, you now have the chance to kill some time in a fairly harmless fashion hahaha. Hopefully I’m not late to the party in mentioning this- if so apologies 😂 but otherwise hopefully it’ll be a good tip for someone who had no idea they could do this- like me a few hours ago!

ou know the situation is pretty desperate when you're turning to iPhone's iMessage app to keep you entertained - but that's exactly what many of us are doing thanks to social distancing.

But did you know that there are games you can play within the messaging app? You can play the games by yourself or with a friend, and it's a great way to kill some free time.

From classics like Connect Four, Chess and Darts, it's easy to gain access to plenty of iMessage-compatible games which you can download directly from the app store for free. The function was introduced with the release of iOS 10, allowing users to play games with their contacts.

Here's what you need to know.

What are iMessage games?

They're exactly what you might expect - games that you can play on iPhones using Apple's default messaging app.

Ranging from games of Darts, Connect Four, Pool and Boggle, there are numerous fun apps you can get playing with your friends.

Where can I find them?

Almost hidden away in your iMessage app, you might notice a little bar above where you type your message that features the logo of the Apple App Store.

This is where the games are located. Tap on the icon to bring up the App Store and from there you can search for a game. They're even on the same screen as your conversation so you don't have to navigate away from the iMessage app once.

In the case of Connect Four, once you and your friend have the same app, you can get started. Once you've made a move, it sends the update as an iMessage. Your friend then replies by taking their turn and so on.

Endless hours of fun no doubt await you in the world of iMessage games.

Some games available are more like arcades and contain multiple mini-games to play, which means you don't have to download a bunch of different apps.

What games are available?

As we've mentioned there are loads of games available. Some good ones to get started with (and with high ratings on Apple's App Store) are:

Boogle, the classic word game can be played with your friends. You have two minutes to spell as many words as possible from a collection of random letters.
Let's Puck It, a turn-based game of air hockey with high stakes involved. Choose from a list of bets (e.g. loser has to buy dinner, do winner’s laundry, etc) or enter your own custom stakes. Anything you can think of.
Game Pigeon is a collection of multiplayer games for friends and family to enjoy together. Pool, mini-golf, basketball, chess, connect four - you name it, they probably have it.
Wordie is a word guessing game which you have to determine out of four pictures.

There are, of course, numerous games for you to try, so what are you waiting for? With the self-isolation and now most people working from home due to the coronavirus, what else should we be doing with our time?

When Steve Jobs unveiled the original iPhone way back in 2007, we all probably didn’t imagine that Apple’s stab at a cell phone would rarely be used as a traditional telephone.

Sure, we knew there would be fantastic tech advances. However, it seems like Apple’s foray into the cellular market was a technological milestone. Kind of like the first computer or first use of the Internet.

While you can make phone calls with an iPhone, the beauty and creativity lie with its apps, games, and access to wireless Internet. Sending texts ties in perfectly with some of Apple’s best features. That includes iMessage games.

Can You Play Games on iMessage?

How to Get iMessage Games
How to Play iMessage Games
(iOS) iMessage Games You Should Play
- Game Pigeon
- Mr. Putt
- Truth Truth Lie
- Simple Trivia
- Let’s Puck It!
- Checkmate!
The Best of the Best
- The Best iMessage Game
  - Game Pigeon
- The Best iMessage Word Game
  - Wordie
- The Best Basketball Game for iMessage
  - Cobi Hoops
Featured: Popular Games
- 8 Ball Game
  - How to Get 8 Ball on iMessage
  - How to Play 8 Ball on iMessage
- 20 Questions
  - How to Play 20 Questions on iMessage
So, Should You Play Games on iMessage?

Can You Play Games on iMessage?

Today, things like the iPad and iPhone are more popular than ever, always adding something to their app stores. Of course, there are quite a few games on the iPhone, but there are also some on iMessage in particular.

That’s right. You can play games right on iMessage. How do you do this? Let’s break it down.

It’s very easy:

When texting someone in iOS 10, you will see the text box, along with the small bar at the bottom of your messages.
Here, you have the picture icon, then tap the message icon and the app store icon.
Go ahead and click the app store icon.
From here, you will see a section called ‘Games in Messages.’ Go ahead and explore the vast selection.

How to Play iMessage Games

After installing one of the many message games, go ahead and go to one of your text messages. When you access the bar at the bottom, you can choose the game you downloaded.

Once you click on it, you can play along with the person you are texting, right in iMessage.

You can also play iMessage games solo if you want to. If you want to delete an iMessage game, simply hold down the game’s icon and wait until the floating ‘x’ appears. Tap ‘x’, and the process is complete.

There are a ton of games in the app store for use in the iMessage space in particular. Let’s see which are the most noteworthy and which message games (iOS) you should download ASAP.

(iOS) iMessage Games You Should Play

We are going to list some of the best games to pick up in the app store. Afterward, stick around for our ‘best of the best,’ where we will award specific iOS 10 games based on what they do best. You know, kind of like an award show.

Game Pigeon

Game Pigeon isn’t just one game. Instead, it is a pretty considerable collection of classic game experiences rolled into one. Why download Game Pigeon?

Multiplayer options
Diversity of games: Pool, Poker, Sea battle, Scrabble, etc.
Constant updates from the developers.

There are a few in-app purchases and some pesky ads. However, it’s a great diversion you can enjoy with a few friends.

Cost: Free with ads

Download Game Pigeon

Mr. Putt

Some advanced Apple tech-heads didn’t create Mr. Putt. Instead, Mr. Putt, an extremely popular and addictive golf game, was created by the University of Missouri-Kansas City student Jonah Witcig.

In Mr. Putt, you need to make your way through different trippy levels, getting the ball in the hole at the end. Pretty self-explanatory, but satisfying nonetheless.

Cost: Free

Download Mr. Putt

Truth Truth Lie

This is an entertaining and straightforward game to play with some friends. The object of the game is to tell two truths about yourself, peppering in one lie as well to throw people off. It succeeds as an ice-breaker game in office and school settings, as it introduces people to one another, and is a lot of fun.

You record yourself telling your two truths and lie, and the other person has to guess which is the lie. You’ll hear some outrageous things playing this game.

Cost: Free

Download Truth Truth Lie

Simple Trivia

It’s right there in the name: this game is all about simple trivia. If you have a bunch of seemingly useless knowledge knocking around in your noggin, this is the perfect iMessage game for you.

There are quite a few topics to delve into and put your knowledge to the test. To make things fair and discourage cheating, you have 10 seconds to answer each question in Simple Trivia. You can even add your questions and answers for more diverse gameplay.

Cost: Free

Download Simple Trivia

Let’s Puck It!

Air hockey is arguably one of the most fun games to play in an arcade setting. It’s fast, fun, and extremely competitive. While you won’t get a physical workout, you will need a lot of strategy and perfect timing to avoid your opponent scoring on you.

There’s a fascinating aspect to Let’s Puck It! that sets it apart from other iMessage games.

You can settle beef and other disputes through it. You can play an air hockey game to determine who owes someone money, settle once and for all who do the chores, and more. This little creative aspect adds some exciting flavor to a gaming classic.

Cost: Free

Download Let’s Puck It!

Checkmate!

Of course, you had to expect a timeless game like chess to appear on our list.

Checkmate! is a great chess app, requiring strategy, patience, and some serious chess skills.

With no timer, and the ability to play multiple games simultaneously, the diversity offered by this game is unparalleled. It tracks your move history, so you never get lost or mixed up.

Cost: $.99

The Best of the Best

Here are the best games based on their genre.

The Best iMessage Game

Game Pigeon

Game Pigeon swoops in once again to take the title of the most popular iOS iMessage game. It’s a vast selection of different games (well over 20 by now), along with its recent resurgence in the iMessage portion of the app store, which has made it more popular than ever.

It has been praised for its emphasis on social interaction and multiplayer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Game Pigeon has been one of the iOS users’ go-to iMessage games. It allows people to socially distance while playing games with one another.

Some users say that Game Pigeon alone is the reason some people use iMessage in the first place. We really can’t recommend the Game Pigeon experience enough.

The Best iMessage Word Game

Wordie

We all know Words with Friends is the undisputed champ when it comes to Scrabble-like games on the Apple app store. However, there’s another notable word game lurking in the messages section: Wordie.

While it isn’t like Words with Friends, it’s an addictive mashup of trivia and Pictionary, featuring well over 600 levels of word-based gameplay.

The Best Basketball Game for iMessage

Cobi Hoops

This fantastic, creative-looking basketball game is a hit with everyone. Made with a stunning pixel-art style, Cobi Hoops has a ton of variety. You can choose from several unique characters and shoot hoops with friends.

While there may not be a lot of strategy outside just aiming your shot, it’s still a ton of fun.

Featured: Popular Games

8 Ball Game

8 ball is the classic form of pool that’s been around for years. Unsurprisingly, it has made its way to iOS 10. This is a great sports game, (yes, pool is a sport), to play with a few friends.

How to Get 8 Ball on iMessage

Pop over to the app store, and search for 8 ball. Once you have it downloaded, check it out solo or send it to a friend.

How to Play 8 Ball on iMessage

Once you have it downloaded, enter the game. You will use your fingers to line up your pool shots perfectly. Hopefully, you can best your opponent with a mixture of skills, patience, and determination.

20 Questions

20 Questions, the timeless classic, makes its way to the iPhone, specifically in iMessage for iOS.

How to Play 20 Questions on iMessage

Use our steps above by going to the app store within the text message itself.

Find 20 Questions and download it. Then, access the game within the text field once more, and you can prompt your buddy to play it with you.

Have fun!

So, Should You Play Games on iMessage?

Yes, definitely. Apple jam-packed their iPhones and iPads with a ton of great technological goodies. Some of them, like iMessage games, have been staring you in the face the entire time. While it may not be like playing a game console, you can still find a ton of fun in the most straightforward games and fun activities.

Whether it’s bowling, hoops, or even simple trivia, iMessage games are fantastic little pieces fun to play with friends or solo. Give it a shot.

Can you play iPhone games against yourself?

You can play the games by yourself or with a friend, and it's a great way to kill some free time. From classics like Connect Four, Chess and Darts, it's easy to gain access to plenty of iMessage-compatible games which you can download directly from the app store for free.

How do you play games in iMessage?

Start an iMessage Game Once you download an iMessage game, you will see it in the bar above the keyboard in the Messages app. Tap on the game you wish to play with a friend and start the game.

Does playing games in iMessage cost money?

Games? Yes, you can send photos and videos and other files using iMessage via Wi-Fi or cellular. iMessage uses your data, so it's kinda free.

Do you need an app for iMessage games?

You can play iMessage games on your iPhone using the App Store extension that's built into iMessage. You can download a variety of iMessage games onto your iPhone, including bowling, mini golf, Yahtzee, and more. iMessage games are free to play, but many have in-app purchases.

play imessage games