Best Games

Top 25 best free games to play on your iPhone, iPad or Android Phone in 2023 - Updated

Top 25 best free games to play on your iPhone, iPad or Android Phone in 2023 - Updated

Our list of the best free mobile games

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Updated on May 17th, 2023

This list compiles the best free mobile games that you can play on your iPhone, iPad or Android phone - and we've done our best to keep it right up to date.

We've everything from radical roguelikes to radish platformers, and we stop off at plenty of places in-between, but the most important thing is that all of these are high-quality games that are totally free to download on your phone or tablet right now. 

How did this list of the best free mobile games come to be?

We originally started this list because a mass of developers came forward, offering up their normally-premium titles for free as a result of the increased isolation of society due to Covid-19. But, let's face it, working from home isn't exactly a trend we are going to see going away.

Over time, however, the list has evolved into a selection of the finest free mobile games, be that free to start, free to play, or just plain free. We've deliberately tip-toed around some of the bigger names which you already know, to bring you this carefully curated list of fantastic free mobile games.

So, what we'll do here is compile and regularly update a list of the best free mobile games - including discounted premium and free-to-play games - which you can grab right now for your iPhone or Android device.

As with everything, some of these discounts are limited time or change rapidly, we'll do our best to keep the post updated - but if we do miss anything then do feel free to reach out to us and let us know in the comments below.

But for now, click on the big button below to start finding out the current best free mobile games to play on your iPhone or Android device.

Click Here To View The List »

Retro Bowl

Developer: New Star Games
Publisher: New Star Games
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Sports
Find out more about Retro Bowl
Retro Bowl

Retro Bowl is an excellent retro-inspired American Football game. You'll only need to take control of the offence and it's so satisfying when you aim a pass perfectly or successfully dodge your way through a pack of opposition defenders. Another nice touch, if you don't enter your own name it gives you a cool randomly generated one instead, I got Marshal Cannon.

Download Retro Bowl for iOS or Android

Genshin Impact

Developer: MiHoYo
Publisher: MiHoYo
Available on: iOS + Android + Switch
Genre: 3D, Action, Adventure
Find out more about Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact

Possibly one of the most hyped free mobile games of recent years, Genshin Impact - known for its sweeping green landscapes reminiscent of Zelda Breath of The Wind - has definitely earned its place in this list. Within days of launch, there are floods of people praising its clever use of gacha as much as they are praising its vast worlds, and frankly, it sounds well worth the effort of a quick, free download.

Read our Genshin Impact tier list, and you can use any of the Genshin Impact codes that we have! There is also a guide for every character in the game, just search for the ones that interest you.

Download Genshin Impact on iOS or Android

Dungeon Faster

Developer: Old Oak Den
Publisher: Old Oak Den
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Adventure, Card/board game, Casual, Hardcore
Find out more about Dungeon Faster
Dungeon Faster

Dungeon Faster is an excellent rogue-like deck-builder that was nominated by our readers as one of the best games to release in 2019. It's been updated since it was held in such high esteem, adding an Arena Mode that allows players to battle it out for leaderboard supremacy.

Download Dungeon Faster from the App Store or Google Play

Dadish 2

Available on: iOS + Android + Switch
Genre: Platform
Find out more about Dadish 2
Dadish 2

Dadish 2 sees the return of everyone's favourite radish father. This time around his children have decided to participate in an impromptu 'bring your kids to work day'. Of course, this scheme doesn't exist in Dadish's office and it's just his sassy offspring causing trouble. Once again, our wear hero must set off to find them all, platforming his way through a fresh set of dangers.

Read our Dadish 2 review

Download Dadish 2 for iOS or Android

The Everlasting Regret

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
Find out more about The Everlasting Regret
The Everlasting Regret

The Everlasting Regret is a beautiful casual puzzler that's been made by five graduates at Tencent. It's centered around the Chinese poem Song of Everlasting Regret and boasts a gorgeous visual style that matches the relaxed gameplay loop.

Read our The Everlasting Regret review

Download The Everlasting Regret for Android or iOS

Cookie Run: Kingdom

Publisher: Devsisters
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: RPG
Find out more about Cookie Run: Kingdom
Cookie Run: Kingdom

RPG-combat meetings town-builder in Devsisters' most recent entry into the Cookie Run series. Not only that, but they've managed to softly layer gacha mechanics and a baked-goods twist on the classic good-vs-evil plotline into the mix, and it all cooks out wonderfully.

In case this 'cookie' will fit into your cup of tea, we have articles to help you get a good headstart. CRK coupon codes, Cookie Run Kingdom characters - list of every cookie are just some of the many!

Available for both iOS and Android, the RPG had over a million pre-registrations in its first week and has only gone from strength to strength since its release.

Read our Cookie Run: Kingdom review

Pokemon GO

Developer: Niantic
Publisher: The Pokemon Company
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Action
Find out more about Pokemon GO
Pokemon GO

It's hard to have any sort of a list of best free mobile games without tilting the torch toward location-based game, Pokemon Go. It took the world by storm when it first launched in 2016 and has only gone from strength to strength since. It now features weekly and monthly events, as well as the raid and battle systems which ensures that you've always got something to do. It also managed to survive national lockdowns through quick work from the development team. Phew.

Collecting them all won't be easy, especially if you're alone on that quest, so use some of the Pokemon Go friend codes to find some pals to share the fun with! As a bonus, we have Pokemon Go promo codes that you can redeem and get a better headstart!

Download Pokemon GO from the App Store or Google Play

Super Fowlst 2

Publisher: Thomas K Young
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Action
Find out more about Super Fowlst 2
Super Fowlst 2

Super Fowlst 2 is a delightful, easy-to-pick-up platformer where you tap the left and right-hand sides of the screen to bounce a chicken around the levels. It's definitely got a pinball vibe going and its bright, cheerful aesthetic certainly makes the experience feel much more wholesome.

Download Super Fowlst 2 on iOS or Android

Badlanders

Developer: NetEase Games
Publisher: NetEase Games
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Multiplayer, Shooter
Find out more about Badlanders
Badlanders

NetEase seem to be going from strength to strength when it comes to their games of late, with console-quality titles like LifeAfter and Eve: Echoes recently joining their roster. But, it's really Badlanders which sticks out for us. It's an almost perfectly designed loot-gathering battle royale that delivers a strong military theme while juggling tense inventory management and deadly battlefield sprinting to keep the whole match captivating and compelling.

We're really excited to see what Badlanders evolves into over the years, hopefully - much like LifeAfter - it's a title that will twist and change into something unique and memorable.

Download Badlanders for iOS or Android

Words for a bird

Publisher: Bontegames
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Puzzle, Word game
Find out more about Words for a Bird
Words for a Bird

Words for a bird is the latest micro-puzzle game out from puzzle-powerhouse Bart Bonte. While it's certainly not got the colour theming of his most recent issuing, it's visual punning is exceptional and - by golly - the art style is memorable and... well, lovely.

Download Words for a bird for Android or iOS

Revived Witch

Publisher: Yostar
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: RPG
Find out more about Revived Witch
Revived Witch

You might be familiar with some classical RPGMaker games - pixelated graphics, characters that you control, various puzzle encounters throughout the map and (usually) turn-based battles. That is not the case at all with Revived Witch, which only looks like such a game.

In reality, you can discover the hidden story of the Witch who finds herself in a rather peculiar situation. While trying to solve mysteries throughout the land and finding out her real whereabouts, the player will be left with an overwhelming feeling of serenity and peace. Revived Witch is a truly premium experience for free, on both Android and iOS devices. It's definitely worth checking out - we even have a complete and updated Revived Witch tier list and some redeem codes to help you out!

Download Revived Witch for Android or iOS.

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Spooky Squashers

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Arcade, Sports
Find out more about Spooky Squashers
Spooky Squashers

Easily one of the best Halloween games of recent years, and one of the most memorable ones to experiment with Squash, Spooky Squashers is an arcade title with a sporty feel to it. It's definitely one that we're going to be playing for a while, it's rare to find a title with such an interesting twist on a familiar sport and genre.

Download Spooky Squashers for iOS or Android

Rumble Stars

Publisher: Frogmind Games
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Sports, Strategy
Find out more about Rumble Stars
Rumble Stars

When it comes to talking about some of Pocket Gamer's favourite free mobile games, it would be a massive mistake to leave out Frogmind's Rumble Stars. It's a perfect fusion of strategy mana systems and pick-up-and-play sports gaming, and all the while it's bright, colourful and so engaging that we keep playing even though we've already got four chests waiting to unlock.

Read our Rumble Stars review

Download Rumble Stars for iOS or Android

Rainmaker - The Beautiful Flood

Publisher: Sweaty Chair Pty. Ltd.
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Puzzle
Rainmaker - The Beautiful Flood

Rainmaker - The Beautiful Flood is a minimalistic puzzle game that's incredibly pretty. Each level will see you guide a bubble to a door and it won't do much in the way of hand-holding either. Whenever new elements are introduced you'll need to work out how best to use them.

Read our Rainmaker: The Beautiful Flood review

Download Rainmaker - The Beautiful Flood for iOS or Android

Among Us

Developer: InnerSloth
Publisher: InnerSloth
Available on: iOS + Android + Steam
Genre: Multiplayer, Strategy
Find out more about Among Us
Among Us

Innersloth's now-iconic title Among Us was about to become a footnote in the company's history after three years of middling performance when, with the announcement of a sequel, interest in the first title suddenly surged. While the PC version of the game costs, albeit a rather affordable 3.99, the mobile version is completely free to play.

For those of you who don't know about how it works, much like Mafia/Werewolf or many Space Station 13 modes, there are a bunch of human players placed in a situation who must work together to identify the imposter among them. Among Us is lauded due to its accessibility and ease of play, but for us, it's the mini-game tasks that really make it stand out from the competition - that and the silly execution animations.

Download Among Us for iOS or Android

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Idle Magic School

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Casual, Simulation
Find out more about Idle Magic School
Idle Magic School

Idle Magic School is your typical lovely idle game, but with magic and wizardry. You have to build and expand multiple magical institutes and come up with creative solutions to all that a magical academy entails. It's the best free mobile game for someone who is looking to play on and off, and for those who are interested in becoming wizards!

Download Idle Magic School for iOS or Android

Monolisk

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Adult, RPG
Find out more about Monolisk
Monolisk

Monolisk is a beautiful-looking action RPG where players can create their own levels for others to try and beat. It was recently updated to introduce a whole range of new cards for inventing your own stages. It's also had a host of UI improvements that makes finding the best levels much easier.

Download Monolisk for iOS or Android

Battle Legion

Publisher: Traplight Games
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Action, Multiplayer, Strategy
Find out more about Battle Legion
Battle Legion

Auto-battlers and PvP experiences are hardly something new, but Battle Legion combines style, charm and strategy in a fairly fresh feeling way. Due to the importance of fine placement, unit levels, runes and more, it makes it a hard game to look away from - there's a massive, simulation-style pull to micromanage, tweak and refine in order to find the perfect strategy for your current units.

Download Battle Legion for Android or iOS

NieR Reincarnation

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: RPG
Find out more about NieR Reincarnation
NieR Reincarnation

NieR Reincarnation is a mobile spin-off from Yoko Taro's popular action RPG series. Whilst it swaps real-time action with a more straightforward approach to turn-based combat, Reincarnation still maintains the essence of the other games in the series. It's hauntingly beautiful and tells multiple sombre tales in an unashamedly emotional fashion. There's still room for some humour too though, it's not all serious.

Some of you may decide that this is the right game for you, and you'll need some help at the start. As always, PG is here to the rescue with the Nier Reincarnation tier list and a reroll guide. Reroll will especially come in handy for the new players.

You can grab Nier Reincarnation from the App Store and Google Play right now.

Tales of Crestoria

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
Find out more about Tales of Crestoria
Tales of Crestoria

We've definitely seen a lot of hero-collecting RPGs over the years, and it hasn't really been a genre where we've seen much innovation. Tales of Crestoria will likely be the start of a shift in that as it plans on bringing classic Tales of storytelling and world-building into a genre which normally, doesn't really do much in that area.

As it's free to download Tales of Crestoria on both iOS and Android, there's also no reason to not dive into it and give it a quick shot - let us know what you think below.

Read our Tales of Crestoria review

Life in Adventure

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Adventure, RPG, Simulation
Find out more about Life in Adventure
Life in Adventure

If you're passionate about classical D&D RPGs, the closest thing you could find that features single-player mode is most definitely Life in Adventure. You're basically given an initial scenario and it's up to you to decide the outcome of your life.

There are so many twists, turns and unexpected actions that every RPG fan will find Life in Adventure an experience engaging, fun, and oh-so-addictive. It doesn't require anything but your free time, so it's a clear winner in our books!

Download Life in Adventure for Android or iOS

Democratic Socialism Simulator

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Simulation
Democratic Socialism Simulator

If you're into political games Democratic Socialism Simulator might be for you. It sees you taking on the role of the first socialist president of the United States. You'll have to manage taxes, tackle issues without upsetting voters and be aware that your allies may turn on you. Please note, this is only free on iOS.

Download Democratic Socialism Simulator on iOS or purchase it on Android

Indies' Lies

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Card battler, Strategy
Find out more about Indies' Lies
Indies' Lies

If you're a fan of card-based roguelikes, then you'll definitely want to check out Indies' Lies. It tasks players with battling through randomly generated encounters while building the most powerful deck they can along the way. Best of all, you won't feel limited by the presence of a paywall, despite the game being free-to-play with in-app purchases.

You can download Indies' Lies from the App Store and Google Play.

Call of Dragons

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
Find out more about Samsara Room
Samsara Room

Being made by FARLIGHT, Call of Dragons is definitely a large-scale affair. You'll find yourself in an all-new fantasy world with the goal to take it over. Things start out with the small fledgling kingdom that you'll grow through resource gathering and effective management. Once you have some resources to spare, you can begin building your army for the purpose of protecting your land while leading a campaign against enemy forces. Though your army can be large and impressive, know that you can summon dragons to rain down fire and conquest through crushing!

Download Call of Dragons for Android or iOS

Pako Caravan

Publisher: Tree Men Games
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Casual
Find out more about Pako Caravan
Pako Caravan

The next entry in the Pako series is here, and it's a little bit different than its predecessors, although... interestingly, it actually takes us back to the days of the earliest mobile games. Pako Caravan merges up Pako's funky, brightly-coloured drifting with the simple mechanics of Snake. You'll snake around cheerful, busy maps, creating convoys (or, some might say, caravans) of vehicles as you try to create as long a chain as possible.

Download Pako Caravan for Android or iOS

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