How to Play Games in iMessage: Step-by-Step Guide

Playing games in iMessage lets you challenge friends inside your chats without leaving the conversation. You can play classics like chess, checkers, or more modern titles like Game Pigeon’s mini-games, all through the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This guide shows you exactly how to find, install, and play these games, and what to do when things don’t work as expected.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone, iPad, or Mac with the Messages app (iMessage).
• An Apple ID signed in to iMessage (go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive on iOS, or Messages > Preferences > iMessage on Mac).
• iOS 10 or later (for iPhone/iPad) or macOS Sierra or later (for Mac) to support iMessage apps.
• At least one friend who also has iMessage enabled (blue bubble, not green SMS).
• An internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular) to download games and send messages.

Step-by-Step

1. Open a conversation – Launch the Messages app and tap on an existing chat with a friend, or start a new one by tapping the compose button (square with a pencil).
2. Access the App Drawer – In the text input area, look for the App Store icon (a blue “A” inside a circle) next to the camera icon. Tap it. On Mac, it’s a small App Store icon in the toolbar above the text field.
3. Browse for games – When the app drawer opens, you’ll see a row of icons at the bottom. If you don’t see any games, tap the four-dot grid icon (the “More” button) to see all available iMessage apps. Tap “Store” to open the iMessage App Store.
4. Find a game – In the iMessage App Store, tap the “Games” category or search for a specific game like “Game Pigeon,” “Chess,” or “Uno.” Tap “Get” or the download icon next to a game to install it. You may need to confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
5. Return to your conversation – After the game installs, tap the “X” or “Done” button to close the store. You’ll be back in your chat.
6. Select the game – In the app drawer, tap the game’s icon to open it. The game’s interface will appear in the area above your keyboard.
7. Start a new game – Follow the on-screen prompts. For Game Pigeon, you’ll typically see a list of games; tap one (like “8-Ball”) and then tap “New Game” or “Play.” For other games, look for a “Play” or “Start” button.
8. Send the invitation – Once you’ve set up the game (e.g., chosen difficulty), tap the “Send” button (the up arrow) in the text field. This sends a game invitation message to your friend.
9. Wait for your friend to accept – Your friend will receive the invitation in their chat. They tap it, and the game will open on their device. They’ll need to tap “Accept” or “Play” to start.
10. Play the game – The game will now appear in the conversation as an interactive message. You and your friend take turns making moves directly in the chat. The game state updates in real time as each move is sent.
11. Continue playing – When it’s your turn, you’ll see a notification or the game will show your options. Tap your move and send it. The game continues until someone wins or you close the chat.

Common Mistakes

• Not seeing the App Store icon – If you don’t see the App Store icon, it might be hidden. Swipe left on the app drawer row to find it, or tap the “More” (four-dot) icon and then “Edit” to add the App Store shortcut.
• Sending a game to a non-iMessage contact – If your friend has a green bubble (SMS), they won’t be able to play iMessage games. The invitation will send as a text, but the game won’t work.
• Forgetting to update iOS – Older iOS versions may not support iMessage apps. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates.
• Closing the app drawer accidentally – Tapping outside the drawer or pressing the keyboard button closes it. Just tap the App Store icon again to reopen.
• Not sending the invitation – Some games require you to tap “Send” after setting up. If you just tap the game icon, it may not send anything.

Tips

• Use Game Pigeon for variety – Game Pigeon is the most popular iMessage game pack, offering 20+ mini-games like basketball, darts, and poker. It’s free and includes many options.
• Play with friends who have the same game – Some games require both players to have the app installed. If your friend doesn’t have it, they’ll be prompted to download it when they tap the invitation.
• Check your notifications – When it’s your turn, you’ll get a notification. Make sure notifications for Messages are enabled in Settings > Notifications.
• Use the “More” menu to manage games – Tap the four-dot icon to see all your installed iMessage apps. You can reorder them or remove ones you don’t use.
• Play on Mac for a bigger screen – iMessage games also work on macOS. The interface is similar, and you can continue a game started on your iPhone.

Troubleshooting

• Game won’t download – Check your internet connection. If you’re on cellular, go to Settings > App Store and ensure “Use Cellular Data” is enabled for app downloads. Also, restart your device.
• Game invitation doesn’t send – Make sure your friend has iMessage enabled. If their bubble is green, they can’t receive iMessage games. Also, check that you’re not in airplane mode.
• Game freezes or won’t open – Force-quit the Messages app (swipe up from the bottom and swipe the Messages card away on iPhone with Face ID; double-click Home and swipe up on older models). Then reopen Messages and try again.
• Friend can’t see the game – They may need to update their iOS or download the game themselves. Ask them to tap the invitation and follow the prompts.
• Game is not responding to taps – Sometimes the game area is small. Try tapping precisely on buttons. If it’s still unresponsive, close and reopen the chat.
• App Store icon missing – Go to Settings > Messages > iMessage Apps > and ensure “iMessage Apps” is toggled on. On Mac, check Messages > Preferences > General and make sure “Show App Drawer” is checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do both players need the same game installed?

Yes, for most games. When you send an invitation, your friend will be prompted to download the game if they don’t have it. They must have it installed to play.

Are iMessage games free?

Many are free, like Game Pigeon. Some games offer in-app purchases for extra features or premium versions, but you can play most without paying.

Can I play iMessage games with Android users?

No. iMessage games rely on Apple’s iMessage platform, which is only available on Apple devices. Android users cannot receive or play these games.

How do I delete an iMessage game?

In the app drawer, tap the four-dot icon, then tap “Edit” (or the minus sign). Tap the red minus icon next to the game you want to remove, then tap “Delete.” You can also delete the app from your home screen like any other app.

Can I play iMessage games on my Mac?

Yes, iMessage games work on Macs with macOS Sierra or later. The steps are similar: open a conversation, tap the App Store icon, and select a game.

Why is my game invitation showing as a green bubble?

That means you’re sending an SMS text, not an iMessage. Your friend’s device may not have iMessage enabled, or they might be using an Android phone. You can only play games with blue bubble contacts.

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