15 games that you play with your phone

The technology in games continues to move on years in, year out. As a result, the developers continue with inventive new games and ways to play them. More recently, some companies have started creating titles that you can play with your phone. They should not be confused with mobile games.

These titles are played on PC or console with phones as a controller. The advantage of this is that it allows developers to combine the power of the game systems with a telephone unique functions. Here is a collection of games that use the combination.

Updated March 16, 2025 by Alfredo Robelo: While games that offer smartphones as a control option are not the norm, there are still a lot of gemstones out there that allow users more freedom when playing them. We have updated this article with more and more offers that use phones, either to improve the experience or to allow many players to join.

15

Keep talking and no one explodes

As you continue to talk and no one explodes, players can take two roles: the one with the bomb in front of them or the manual on how to break the bomb. The idea is that every player cannot see what the other can, which makes it a game where communication is key and screams is inevitable.

Phones are implemented via the Companion app, so players who take the role of manual holder can, as expected, read the manual. This is the best way to play the game locally, so you don't need two computers in the same household to fill all the necessary roles.

14

Fibbage XL

As a standalone version of one of the most notorious mini games in the Jackbox Party Pack series, Fibbage XL is about being to the top. Instead of trying to be the most fun in the room, you try to get people to believe in your lies by implementing factoids while trying to discover everyone else's lies.

Smart phones are crucial to this game as they are the perfect way for you to enter your records in local play. It is also the only local way to get up to eight players playing at the same time, which is ideal for a lying game because the more options, the better.

13

Incredible

Another big hit from Jackbox Pack, Drawful is undoubtedly even more popular than the entire package itself. It's about drawing calls and getting other people to guess what you were trying to draw, with the game's instructions that start easily but quickly become quite strange the deeper you get into it.

Telephone integration is, as expected, a good way to play locally, but that is not its only strength. After all, even in online games, some players may prefer to play the game through their phones because not everyone is used to drawing with a mouse, while the smartphone's touch screen can be much more intuitive.

12

When dusk falls

If you are looking for a very narrative heavy game, because Dusk Falls may be the best storytelling experience you can play with your phone. It tells the story of two distinct families that meet in the Arizona desert. The first half of the game focuses on their convincing first meeting. Then the game jumps into the future, and you see how the surviving members of the families still have to do with the fall.

The game is all about making decisions that change how the story plays out. You can make these choices with your phone, but you don't have to be alone, as other people can join you and help make these decisions.

11

It's question time

As the title suggests, this is a quiz. It is somewhat reminiscent of the trivial endeavor, when you choose categories and then use your phone to answer questions related to the said category. There are all sorts of different types of questions, so there is plenty of variation in the game.

However, the prominent function is AI values. She runs the game and constantly comments on individual player performances. This adds some personality to the experience.

10

Paper pirates

Being pirated and guiding a ship over a choppy sea can be a difficult task. It is even more difficult when at least one of your crews actively works against you, as is the case in paper pirates.

This is a social deduction game where a pirate crew tries to get a successful journey, but there is a ghost among those who try to ruin the experience. People need to find out who the non-human is and vote them.

9

Pico

Pico Park is a cooperative puzzle platform where the goal of each level is to find keys and get to the end. However, there are a bunch of attempts and challenges in your way that are trying to stop you. So you have to use teamwork and problem solving skills to succeed.

There is plenty of variation when it comes to puzzles. Sometimes you have to get to each other to get over a gap, while other times you may need to use an object to continue. You can play throughout the game with your phone.

8

Erica

This FMV game, named after the protagonist, is an interactive thriller. It focuses on Erica, who has nightmares about the murder of her father. This leads to her dive into the family's past to find out some interesting truths.

Because it is an FMV title, you do not need to control Erica's movements or anything. Instead, you are regularly asked to make decisions that will affect Erica's adventure and overall history. You can use a companion app to make these choices with your phone.

7

So you are!

So you are! Is a quiz game that stands out because it places a lot of emphasis on the phone's camera. Not only is your avatar in the game an image you take, but some questions also require another photo. For example, you sometimes have to take a picture, and then other people will add drawings to it.

The questions are mostly about the people who play. So the game can ask you who is likely to stand out the tongue at a security camera, and those in the majority are considered correct. Therefore, it is a game to play with people you know well.

6

Hidden agenda

Hidden Agenda is one of the more overlooked titles in Supermassive Games' Library, although it is one of their better games. It is a lot in the same way as until dawn and casting of Frank Stone. You play through a dark story where your choices and QTE skills affect who lives and die.

With the help of PS4's gaming link, others can join you to make decisions. However, this is not the only way they may be involved. There is also a competitive situation where a player has a secret goal, and the others must prevent them from completing it.

5

Knowledge is power

Trivia game is not much sweeter than knowledge is power. From the character models to the animations look all adorable. But knowledge is power not only has style – there is also substance. Each game contains several rounds, which contain different types of questions.

Most are multiple choices, but some questions require you to connect things or sort things into categories. To make rounds more interesting, you can beat your opponents with power play to make things extra difficult for them. The overall goal is to acquire most points by answering questions quickly and precisely. Then in the final you have to reach the top of the pyramid before anyone else – your starting place is determined by your points in total.

4

Eon altar

There are some fantastic cooperative toured RPGs out there. Still, not many of them are played on phones. In the Eon altar, you use your device to fully check your character, from managing your skills to participating in battle. And all action plays on the TV or computer screen.

It works surprisingly well, and the game takes advantage of the fact that your teammates don't see everything you do. Therefore, sometimes some players know things that the others do not, and it is up to them if they want to share with the group. It is an inventive twist on a classic genre.

3

Uno

Uno is the video game version of the physical card game. If you have played the original, know this one. When it is your turn, you have to play a card with the same number or color as it in the middle – unless you have a special card that you can play at any time.

The goal is to get rid of all your cards to win the round. There are a bunch of special ones that add some variation to procedures, plus some additional rules you can add. It works really well as a video game and is a lot of fun.

2

Use your words

Use your words is about being the most fun or smartest person in the room. You go through a series of rounds that contain different types of questions. For example in extra! Extra! Round shows the game you a bizarre image, and each player must create a newspaper heading based on it.

Once everyone's response has been revealed, players must vote for what they thought was the best answer. And if you get the most votes, you also get the most points. But you also lose points if you choose a response that the game created. It can be a lot of fun, especially if you have some comic people in your group.

1

Jackbox Party Pack Series

When it comes to games, you play with a phone – Jackbox titles are the most famous. They also deserve their fame, because they are excellent.

Each Jackbox package has its own set of party games, and there is a great variety in each. Some of them are about drawing things, others are about writing fun answers, several involve trivia and a few circles around deceiving your opponents. Of course, everyone has their own favorite packages and games, but there is something for everyone.