How to Play Games on Snapchat: Full Guide

Snapchat isn’t just for sending disappearing photos and messages — it also has a built-in collection of games you can play with friends or by yourself. This guide shows you how to find, launch, and play Snapchat games on both iPhone and Android, plus how to invite friends, track scores, and fix common issues.

What You’ll Need

A Snapchat account (free to create)
The latest version of the Snapchat app installed on your phone
A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)
For multiplayer games: at least one friend who also has Snapchat

Step-by-Step

Update Snapchat. Open your phone’s app store (App Store for iPhone, Google Play Store for Android) and search for Snapchat. If an update is available, tap “Update” and wait for it to finish. Games are added regularly, and an outdated version may not show them.
Open the Chat tab. Launch Snapchat and tap the chat icon in the bottom-left corner (it looks like a speech bubble). This takes you to your list of conversations.
Open any chat with a friend. Tap on a friend’s name to open your chat thread. You can play games with any friend, even if you’ve never played before.
Tap the rocket or game controller icon. In the chat bar at the bottom, you’ll see several icons. Look for a rocket ship icon (older versions) or a game controller icon (newer versions) — it’s usually next to the camera and voice/video call buttons. Tap it.
Browse the game list. A panel slides up showing all available games. You’ll see categories like “Trending,” “Action,” “Puzzle,” and “Multiplayer.” Scroll through to find something you like.
Choose a game to play solo. Tap any game tile. You’ll see options like “Play” or “Play Solo.” Tap it to start a single-player session immediately.
Invite a friend to play together. To play with a friend, tap “Play with Friend” or “Invite” (depending on the game). Snapchat will send a game invitation to that friend in your chat. They’ll see a prompt to join your game.
Wait for your friend to join. Once your friend accepts, the game loads for both of you. You’ll be in a live game session together — you can also use Snapchat’s voice or video call while playing.
Play the game. Follow the on-screen instructions. Most games are simple to learn — tap, swipe, tilt, or use the on-screen controls. Your score is tracked in real time.
Check your scores later. After a game, you can see your high scores in the game’s own menu. Snapchat also shows game activity in your chat threads — you’ll see a small icon or message like “Played Bitmoji Tennis” below your chat.
Find games from the camera screen (alternative method). Swipe left from the camera screen to open the Discover page. Scroll down to the “Games” section — this shows featured games you can tap to play or add to your chat.

Common Mistakes

Looking for games in the wrong place. Games are not in a separate app or on your profile — they’re only accessible through chat or the Discover page. Many people search the app store for “Snapchat games” and get confused.
Using an outdated app version. If you don’t see the game icon at all, your app is likely out of date. Update Snapchat from your app store.
Trying to play with someone who hasn’t updated. If your friend’s app is old, they may not see your game invitation. Ask them to update Snapchat first.
Expecting games to work without an internet connection. Snapchat games are cloud-based — they need a stable connection to load and sync scores. Offline mode won’t work.
Ignoring the game’s data usage. Some games are data-heavy. If you’re on a limited plan, consider using Wi-Fi, especially for multiplayer sessions.

Tips

Try games with friends who have similar skill levels. Many games are competitive, and playing with someone much better or worse can be frustrating.
Use voice/video call during multiplayer games. Snapchat allows you to call while playing, making the experience more fun and social.
Check the game’s settings for sound and notifications. Some games have their own sound controls — you can mute them if you prefer.
Play solo to practice first. Before challenging a friend, play a few rounds alone to learn the mechanics.
Look for new games regularly. Snapchat adds and removes games frequently. Check the game list every few weeks to see what’s new.
Be mindful of in-app purchases. Some games offer items or power-ups for real money. You can disable in-app purchases in your phone’s settings if you’re concerned.

Troubleshooting

Game icon is missing. Update Snapchat, then restart the app. If it’s still missing, force-close the app and reopen it. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Force Stop. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom and swipe the Snapchat card away.
Game won’t load or freezes. Check your internet connection — switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa. Close other apps that might be using bandwidth. Restart Snapchat. If the problem persists, restart your phone.
Friend doesn’t receive my game invitation. Make sure your friend has updated Snapchat and has notifications enabled for the app. Also, check that you’re both online. Sometimes the invitation appears in the chat as a message — ask your friend to check their chat.
Game crashes during play. This often happens with older devices or when too many apps are running. Close background apps, free up storage space, and try again. If it keeps crashing, report the issue to Snapchat support.
Scores aren’t saving. Make sure you’re logged into your Snapchat account and have a stable connection. If scores still don’t save, log out and log back in.
Can’t find a specific game that a friend mentioned. Games can be region-locked or removed. Ask your friend for a screenshot of the game tile, or search the Discover page for it. If it’s not there, it may not be available in your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Snapchat games free to play?

Yes, all games on Snapchat are free to download and play. Some games offer optional in-app purchases for cosmetic items or power-ups, but you can enjoy the full gameplay without spending money.

Can I play Snapchat games on my computer?

No, Snapchat games are only available within the mobile app. There’s no official web version or desktop app for playing them. You need a smartphone or tablet with Snapchat installed.

Can I play with someone who isn’t my friend on Snapchat?

No, you can only play games with people on your friends list. You cannot invite strangers or people you’ve only chatted with but not added as friends. To play with someone, you must first become friends on Snapchat.

Do Snapchat games work on both iPhone and Android?

Yes, most Snapchat games are available on both iOS and Android. However, a few games may be temporarily exclusive to one platform. If a game isn’t showing up, it might not be available on your device yet.

How do I delete my game history or scores?

There’s no direct way to delete individual game scores. You can clear your entire Snapchat cache, but that won’t remove scores from games that store them on their servers. To start fresh, you’d need to create a new Snapchat account, but that’s not recommended as you’d lose all your friends and chats.

Can I play Snapchat games without friends?

Yes, many games have a solo mode. You can play alone to practice or just for fun. However, the social aspect is a big part of Snapchat games, so playing with friends is the intended experience.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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