How to Play Games in Messages on iPhone and iPad

You can play turn-based games with a friend inside an iPhone or iPad Messages conversation using compatible iMessage apps. You’ll need internet access, an Apple Account signed in to iMessage, and a game app that both players can use; availability and game choices can vary by region and iOS or iPadOS version.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone or iPad with Messages and iMessage available.
• A working Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
• Your Apple Account signed in for iMessage. To check, open Settings, tap Apps, then Messages; on some versions, Messages appears directly in Settings. Make sure iMessage is on.
• A friend who can exchange iMessages with you. iMessage conversations usually appear as blue bubbles; SMS or MMS conversations appear green and do not support iMessage apps in the same way.
• A compatible game app installed from the App Store. Some games require both players to install the app, while others may prompt your friend to get it.

Step-by-Step

1. Check that iMessage is enabled. Open Settings, choose Apps, then Messages, and turn on iMessage if it is off. On an older software layout, open Settings and tap Messages. Allow activation to finish before trying to start a game. If you see an activation message, follow the on-screen instructions and check your connection.
2. Open the conversation. In Messages, start a new conversation or open an existing one with the person you want to play. Confirm that the recipient is reachable through iMessage. A blue send field or blue message bubbles generally indicate iMessage; green indicates SMS or MMS. Group conversations can work when the participants and app support them, but a one-to-one chat is easier to troubleshoot.
3. Open the iMessage app controls. Tap the plus (+) button beside the message field. Depending on your software version and screen layout, you may see apps and actions in a panel. If an app drawer appears instead, swipe through it or tap the App Store icon to find iMessage apps. Avoid the regular App Store button if it only opens the full App Store rather than the Messages app area.
4. Find a game made for Messages. Browse the available iMessage apps or use the search option in the Messages app area. Look for a game that explicitly supports Messages or iMessage play. Read its App Store description for device, region, purchase, and player requirements. A regular iPhone game does not automatically work inside a conversation.
5. Install the game if needed. Tap Get or the download button, authenticate if asked, and wait for installation. Return to the conversation afterward. Some game apps are companion apps to a standalone game; make sure you open the Messages-compatible component from the conversation, not just the regular app from the Home Screen.
6. Launch it from the conversation. Tap the game icon in the Messages app panel. If you do not see it, swipe through the app icons or tap More to view additional apps. Follow the game’s own instructions to choose a mode, create a turn, or select a new match. The exact controls differ by game.
7. Send the game to your friend. Many Messages games put a game board, invitation, or first move into the message composer. Tap the send arrow to post it. A game is not shared until you send the message. If the game asks you to make a move first, complete the move and send the resulting game message.
8. Ask your friend to open the message and respond. Your friend may need to install the same app before tapping the game message. They can then make their move and send it back in the conversation. Turn-based games do not usually require both people to be online at the same time; notifications can alert you when it is your turn.
9. Continue or start another match. Tap the game message or its board in the conversation to reopen the match. Use the game’s controls to take your next turn. To play a different game, return to the plus (+) panel and choose another compatible app. Keep the conversation if you want to revisit the match history.

Common Mistakes

• Trying to play in a green-bubble conversation. Green usually means the message is being sent by SMS or MMS, where iMessage apps are not available. Check that both people can use iMessage and that you selected the correct contact details.
• Choosing a game that is not a Messages app. A game’s App Store listing should indicate that it works with Messages or iMessage. A standalone multiplayer game may instead require opening its own app and using its separate invite system.
• Opening the game outside Messages. The regular app may not show the board or turn sent in the chat. Launch the game from the conversation’s plus (+) panel or tap an existing game message.
• Forgetting to send the move. Making a move in the preview may only prepare a message. Tap the send arrow so the other player receives it.
• Assuming every participant has the app. Your friend may need to install it, accept a prompt, or meet a device or region requirement before the game opens.

Tips

• Start with a one-to-one iMessage conversation and a simple, turn-based game. This helps distinguish setup issues from group-chat or real-time game requirements.
• Check the App Store listing before installing, especially for compatibility, in-app purchases, and whether both players need the app.
• Keep iOS or iPadOS and the game app reasonably up to date. Update through Settings or the App Store when an app offers an update.
• If you use several Messages apps, tap More in the app panel to find ones that are not shown in the first row. You may be able to manage or reorder apps from that screen.
• Turn on Messages notifications if you want to notice a friend’s move promptly. Notification settings are separate from whether the game itself works.

Troubleshooting

• The plus button or app panel is missing: Confirm you are viewing a conversation in Messages, then tap the plus (+) beside the text field. Close and reopen Messages if the panel does not load. Restarting the device can help if the interface is temporarily stuck.
• The game is not listed: Search the Messages app section of the App Store for a compatible game, install it, then return to the chat. Check More in the app panel and look for an option to manage the app list. Some apps may not be available in every region or on every device.
• The conversation is green: Check Settings > Apps > Messages > iMessage and make sure iMessage is on. Confirm you have internet access and that the recipient can receive iMessages at the phone number or email address you selected. If iMessage is unavailable, a Messages game may not work in that chat.
• Your friend cannot open the game: Ask them to install the same compatible app, update it, and open the game message from Messages. Check whether the game requires a newer system version, a particular device, or a separate account.
• Your move does not appear for the other person: Verify that you tapped the send arrow and that the message shows as sent. Check your connection, then try sending the move again if the game allows it. Do not start a duplicate match unless the original board is clearly unusable.
• Messages or the game freezes: Force-close and reopen Messages, check for app and system updates, and restart the device. If only one game is affected, consult its App Store support information; deleting an app can remove locally stored data, so check the game’s instructions before reinstalling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play games in Messages on both iPhone and iPad?
Yes, if the device supports Messages and iMessage and the game is compatible with that device. The controls may look different on iPad.

Do both players need to install the game?
Often, yes. Some games prompt the other player to install the app, but requirements vary, so check the game’s listing and instructions.

Can I play a Messages game with an Android user?
Messages games designed for iMessage require an iMessage conversation. They generally cannot be played through an SMS or MMS chat with an Android phone.

Are Messages games free?
Some are free to download, while others may cost money or offer in-app purchases. Check the App Store listing before installing.

Do we have to play at the same time?
Many Messages games are turn-based, so each person can take a turn when available. Real-time requirements depend on the specific game.

Why can’t I find a particular game in Messages?
It may not be an iMessage app, may have been removed or may be unavailable for your device or region. Search the Messages app section of the App Store for current compatible options.

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