Discover 18 fun texting games to play with friends, partners, or coworkers. From 20 Questions to Would You Rather, these games work on any chat app.
This blog features a fun collection of texting games.
Our smartphones are brilliant and assist us with various activities. We normally pick up our phones to scroll through messages, emails, and news items on the internet. However, have you ever considered doing something creative and entertaining using your smartphone?
With most of us juggling busy schedules and errands, it can be tough to catch up with friends. However, that should not stop you from interacting and having fun with your buddies. Of course, you could call and talk to them, but what if you could do something more engaging?
Have you ever thought of playing texting games with your friends? With so many messaging apps and online games, playing text games over the phone has become simpler. These text-based games are surprisingly fun and engaging.
In this blog, we have some ideas for 2-player texting games, number texting games, letter-based games, and some ideas for texting games for couples.
Test your knowledge and quick-thinking skills with a Trivia game!
Trivia can be an amazing 2-player texting game. Just type out a question with answer choices and send it to your friend. Both of you can take turns putting forth questions and answering them. You can choose a Trivia theme and frame your questions based on the theme.
A classic mind-reading game you can play over text.
The ‘20 Questions’ game will force you to think hard to understand what’s in your opponent’s mind. The goal is to guess what the other player has in mind. The questions should be such that your opponent can answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ The target should be to guess the correct answer by asking a maximum of 20 questions.
Here’s a quick example:
Q1. Is it edible? — No
Q2. Is it shiny? — Yes
Q3. Does it have value? — No
Q4. Is it metallic? — No
Q5. Can we touch it? — No
Q6. Is it the Sun? — There you go!
Need help with questions? Browse our Yes or No questions blog.
When it comes to games to play over text, the Story Builder activity cannot be left behind!
This game helps to enhance creative storytelling skills among participants. The storytelling game encourages players to create an interesting story. Every player adds a line to keep the story going. The sentence should be such that it establishes the continuity of the tale, eventually leading to a wonderful story.
To play this game via text, gather your friends and form an online group. Your story could go on something like this:
P1: Once upon a time, an old lady lived alone in the woods.
P2: She had no one except her pet cat as her companion.
P3: One night there was a sudden storm.
P4: A young shepherdess lost her way in the storm and landed in the old lady’s home.
A guessing game that works surprisingly well over text.
Pick a word, send your friend underscores for each letter (e.g., _ _ _ _) and give them a hint. They reply with letter guesses. You fill in the correct ones and send the new version back. Usually, they get 6 wrong guesses before they lose.
Need help? Here are some Hangman tips and tricks.
Turn your emoji keyboard into a game board.
Emojis aren’t just for reactions, they’re perfect for creative texting games. Try these:
Guess the Movie: Send a string of emojis that represent a movie. Example: 🧊🛳️❤️ = Titanic.
Guess the Song Lyrics: Use emojis to recreate a famous song lyric and ask your friends to guess.
You might have played this game during your school days, but how about playing it as an interesting texting game?
To start with, text your friend 3 names. They need to choose whom to kiss, marry and kill. You can choose any names from your common group or use celebrity names to add to the fun.
This can also be an interesting texting game for couples.
Abbreviations like TGIF or BRB are quite commonly used while texting. If so, why not convert this one into a fun texting game?
To make the game all the more interesting, use some tricky abbreviations that may not be easy to guess. Take it up a notch by creating your own creative, cryptic abbreviations. Ask your friends to guess what they mean.
Create some tricky abbreviations to keep your friends guessing!
Yes, it works just as well in text form.
You’ve likely played this in person, but it works just as well in a group chat. Have a moderator post “Never Have I Ever” statements. Everyone else replies with either “I Have” or “Never.” You can even use emojis or reactions to keep it fun.
Need ideas? Check out our Never Have I Ever questions.
This one’s a classic, and it works really well over text.
Just send your friend a Would You Rather question and wait for their response. Then switch roles. You can keep it simple or make it absolutely ridiculous, that’s where the fun is. It’s a great way to start random conversations and learn some weird things about each other.
If you need a few questions to get started, check out our Would You Rather questions.
How good are your friends when it comes to taking guesses? Test your guessing skills with this ‘I Spy’ game!
Although this game is a part of many fun gatherings, it can be equally entertaining when played over text. The text version of this game is quite simple to set up. Gather your friends online, make a group, and start your game. Spot something in your room, and start by saying “I spy ___________”. Your description should be precise and creative. Your friends, in turn, can come up with questions/guesses to crack the answer.
You: I spy something glossy
Friend: Is it on your desk?
You: Yes
Friend: Is it your water bottle?
You: Nope
Friend: Is it a magazine?
You: Correct!
We normally discuss and have endless conversations with our buddies regarding popular opinions. But ever thought that even Unpopular Opinions could lead to discussions and a text game?
All you do is post an opinion, preferably one that sparks debate. For example: “Cold pizza is better than hot pizza.” Everyone in the group votes agree or disagree. The opinion with the fewest votes wins the title of Most Unpopular.
It’s fun, harmless, and almost always leads to funny arguments. Want ideas? We’ve got a whole list of unpopular opinions.
Have you ever imagined how a game of “Questions Only” would be?
This game is all about asking questions — and only questions. You’re not allowed to answer or pause for too long. If someone slips up and says a statement, they’re out.
Try this in a group:
Player 1: Have you played this game before?
Player 2: Do you know how to go about this game?
Player 3: How many players are needed for this game?
Player 4: Shouldn’t there be more players?
It gets chaotic quickly, but that’s what makes it fun.
If you and your buddies are fans of riddles and brain teasers, then you ought to play this game.
The game is quite simple - get your friends together in a group and post some interesting riddles in the group. Check how many of your buddies can get the answer right.
There are numerous riddles composed of both letters and numbers. You can use classic word riddles or even number-based ones for something different.
Examples of Math riddles:
Jumble up a word and send it to your friend.
They have to guess the original word. You can give a category as a hint if it’s too tough. The trickier the scramble, the better.
Check out some examples below.
Like Story Builder, but with a twist.
Each person takes turns adding a sentence to the story. The catch? You have to alternate between starting your line with “Fortunately” and “Unfortunately.”
Here’s a quick example:
To get a better idea, have a look at this:
Player 1: This morning, I woke up quite early and decided to get ready quickly for work.
Player 2: Fortunately, I did not struggle at all to get out of bed.
Player 3: Unfortunately, it was a public holiday and I had forgotten about it.
Player 4: Fortunately, I saw the date and suddenly remembered about the holiday.
Player 1: Unfortunately, my sleep had vanished completely by then.
Pick a word and keep the rhymes going.
Start with any simple word like “cat” or “rock.” Each player takes turns replying with a word that rhymes. If someone gets stuck or repeats a word, they’re out.
You can play in rounds or keep it going as long as you like.
Truth or Dare can be a great game when played with 2 or multiple players.
Each person takes turns choosing Truth or Dare. Truths can be answered in the chat. Dares can either be done on video or completed and shared as a message or selfie — whatever everyone is comfortable with.
Make sure to keep things fun and friendly. If you need help coming up with prompts, check out our Truth or Dare ideas.
Perfect for couples or close-knit groups.
Someone asks a question like “Who’s most likely to forget their own birthday?” and everyone votes. You can just text the name or use emojis to point fingers. It’s light, silly, and usually leads to everyone roasting each other (in a good way).
Check out our interesting set of Most Likely To questions to kickstart your game night.
Texting games are such a simple way to stay connected, even when you can’t be in the same room. Whether you’re looking to kill time, spark a fun conversation, or just laugh a little with your friends or partner, these games are easy to start and hard to stop.
Some games are better for close friends, some are great for big group chats, and some are perfect when you just want a quick back-and-forth with one person. The best part? No setup, no rules to memorize.
So next time you’re bored or missing someone, try one of these out. You might end up playing way longer than you expected.
Yes! All the games listed work on any messaging platform like WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram, etc.
Definitely. Games like “Would You Rather,” “Never Have I Ever,” and “Kiss, Marry, Kill” are especially fun for couples.
Most games work with 2 players. A few like Story Builder, I Spy, and Unpopular Opinions are more fun in a group chat.
Yes! Trivia, Hangman, and Riddle Time are great for boosting memory and vocabulary while having fun.
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