How to Play Games in iMessage with Friends and Family

The App Store inside iMessage has free games you can play turn-by-turn with friends and family right inside a text conversation — no separate app needed.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Open a conversation in Messages
2.Open the App Store inside Messages
3.Find and download GamePigeon
4.Start a game
5.Take your turn and wait for the other person

Open a conversation in Messages

~15s

Open the Messages app and tap a conversation with someone you want to play with. They need to have an iPhone — iMessage games do not work with Android SMS.

Open the App Store inside Messages

~15s

Tap the App Store icon (looks like a small A in a circle) next to the text box. If you do not see it, tap the + button first. The iMessage App Store opens.

Find and download GamePigeon

~16s

In the iMessage App Store, search "GamePigeon." Tap "Get" to download it for free. Once downloaded, it appears in your iMessage apps.

Quick Tip

GamePigeon is free to download and includes many games. Some games have ads that can be removed with a small in-app purchase ($1.99 for all-access).

Start a game

~15s

Tap the GamePigeon icon (it looks like a green icon with a bird) in your iMessage app list. Choose a game — Pool, Mini Golf, or Checkers are good starters. Tap to send a game invitation.

Take your turn and wait for the other person

~15s

Play your turn in the game. A message is sent showing your move. The other person opens it, takes their turn, and sends it back. The game continues as a back-and-forth in the conversation.

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You've completed: How to Play Games in iMessage with Friends and Family

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iMessage has a built-in App Store with games and apps that work inside a text message conversation. The most popular are turn-by-turn games where you and a friend or family member take turns playing — like word games, trivia, or board games — inside the Messages app itself.

Popular iMessage games

: - GamePigeon: A collection of classic games including Pool (8-ball), Checkers, Poker, Mini Golf, Sea Battle, Darts, and Anagrams. This is the most-used iMessage game pack. - Word games like Wordie or Word Laces where you compete to find words - Trivia games where you answer questions and compare scores

How it works: You play your turn and it sends the result to the other person. They open the message, take their turn, and it comes back to you. You both play at your own pace — there is no need to be online at the same time.

Both people need an iPhone and iOS 10 or later. The other person does not need to have installed the game app first — they download it automatically when they open your game invitation.

This is a wonderful way for grandparents and grandchildren to stay connected and have something to do together when they cannot be in person. A quick game of Pool or word challenge is a natural conversation starter.

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