35 Fun Texting Games to Play with Friends or Your Partner
Turn simple messages into playful challenges that bring everyone together.
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35 Creative Texting Games to Play with Friends, Partners, or Family
Texting doesn’t have to be limited to simple hellos and quick catch-ups. With the right game, everyday chats can become a source of laughter, connection, and even rivalry, whether you’re talking with friends, your partner, or family. From classic word games to innovative emoji challenges, there’s a texting game for everyone looking to make their conversations more interactive and entertaining.
Why Play Texting Games?
- Stay Connected: Games bridge the gap, making long-distance relationships or friendships more engaging.
- Break the Ice: Awkward pauses are replaced with playful challenges and fun tasks.
- Personalized Fun: Pick games suited to your sense of humor, interests, or relationship status.
- Learn More: Discover surprising facts about your friends or partner, strengthening your bond.
- Beat Boredom: No matter your age or location, these games liven up digital conversations.
The Ultimate List of 35 Texting Games
Below you’ll find detailed descriptions, instructions, and tips for the most popular and creative texting games you can play right from your phone. Choose your favorite and start playing today!
1. 20 Questions
Start by thinking of any person, place, or thing. Your friend gets up to 20 yes-or-no questions to guess what it is. Take turns being the one to think of something and the guesser. It’s simple, classic, and surprisingly competitive!
2. Emoji Translation
One player sends a string of emojis that represent a phrase, movie, song, or book title. The other person has to decode it. The less obvious your emoji clues, the more fun and challenging it gets.
3. Friendship Tag
Ask friendship, relationship, or personality-based questions, like “Who’s most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse?” or “Who is more stubborn?” Both players answer; comparing responses can reveal how well you know each other and spark amusing debates.
4. Trivia Challenge
Send trivia questions about any topic you both enjoy. Each correct answer gets a point. You can set a prize for the winner after a certain number of rounds, making it competitive and fun.
5. Never Have I Ever (Text Edition)
Adapt this iconic party game by texting “Never have I ever…” followed by something you haven’t done. If the other person has done it, they respond with a confession or maybe an embarrassing story. Great for learning secrets!
6. Would You Rather
Pose tough “Would you rather” questions, such as, “Would you rather time travel to the past or future?” Respond and explain your reasoning. This game reveals preferences and can spark interesting conversations.
7. The Word Association Game
Start with a word, and your friend quickly replies with the first word that comes to mind. Keep going back and forth, trying not to repeat any words. If someone hesitates or can’t think of a word, the round ends.
8. Song Lyrics Challenge
Text a line from a song and see if your partner can guess the title. For an extra twist, use only emojis or send each other lines from lesser-known tracks.
9. Abbreviations Game
Send an abbreviation (e.g., “OOTD” for “Outfit of the Day”), and the other person must guess its meaning. Swap roles after each guess. It’s fun and can test your knowledge of slang, acronyms, and pop culture.
10. Most Likely To
Send “Who is most likely to…” statements, like “Who is most likely to go skydiving?” Both respond with their answer and a reason. It’s a lighthearted way to poke fun and learn about each other’s quirks.
11. The Story Builder
Take turns writing a sentence (or just a few words) to build a story together. Each addition must make sense with the previous one. This game is perfect for creative minds and can lead to hilarious narratives.
12. Guess the Movie
- Describe a movie plot in just one or two sentences—without naming the film!
- Your partner guesses the title.
- For an extra challenge, use only emojis!
13. What’s in Common?
List two or three things and ask what they have in common. For example, “Ice cream, snow, and polar bears.” The answer: they’re all cold! This game is great for quick thinking and creativity.
14. Truth or Dare (Text Edition)
- Ask: “Truth or dare?”
- If your friend picks “truth,” ask a personal question they must answer honestly.
- If they choose “dare,” give them a challenge—like posting a selfie with a funny caption on social media or sending you a silly voice memo.
15. Hangman
- One player texts a series of underscores ( _ _ _ _ ) to represent a word’s letters.
- The other person guesses letters one at a time.
- For each incorrect guess, track how many attempts are left (traditionally, six wrong guesses are allowed).
- The game continues until the word is solved or attempts run out.
16. Ghost
Players take turns adding one letter at a time to build a word. The goal is not to finish the word. If a player accidentally completes a real word (of three or more letters), they lose. If challenged, the player must state a valid word they were building toward.
17. Finish My Sentence
- One person starts a sentence, e.g., “If I could fly, I would…”
- The other finishes it—seriously or humorously.
- Switch roles and see who comes up with the funniest or most unexpected completions.
18. Tell the Truth
Players take turns asking personal questions. If someone refuses to answer, set a punishment—like sending a silly photo, Venmo-ing $5, or posting something embarrassing. Honesty is the best (and funniest) policy here.
19. Make It Rhyme
- One player sends a word or phrase.
- The other must reply with something that rhymes.
- Continue back and forth until someone can’t rhyme anymore.
20. WWYD? (What Would You Do?)
Text a hypothetical scenario, such as “If you were invisible for one day, what would you do?” The other player replies with their answer. This game reveals creativity and personality.
21. Abbreviations and Acronym Challenge
Similar to #9 above but can include made-up abbreviations for extra laughs. After a while, try making your own and challenging the other to come up with creative meanings.
22. Desert Island
Ask: “If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take three things, what would they be?” Variants include favorite foods, books, or survival items.
23. Movie or Song Lyrics Puzzle
Text a line from a movie or song. Ask the other to guess where it’s from. Use obscure lines for a tougher challenge!
24. One-Word Story
- Each person alternates texting one word at a time to create a story.
- Try to make it coherent—or intentionally absurd for extra laughs!
25. Name That Emoji
Send a string of emojis representing a phrase, saying, or pop culture reference. The other player must guess the intended meaning. Switch turns and get as creative as possible.
26. Movie Emoji Game
A variation on Name That Emoji: send only emoji clues for movie titles, describing plots, characters, or famous scenes.
27. Category Race
- Pick a category (animals, cities, foods, etc.).
- Take turns quickly naming items that fit, without repeating. Anyone who hesitates loses the round!
28. Questions Only
- Hold a conversation using only questions. Anyone who makes a statement is out.
- This game gets trickier—and funnier—the longer it goes on.
29. This or That?
Send pairs of choices (“Pizza or tacos?”). Your friend chooses instantly, sometimes with a reason. Quick-fire rounds keep the pace lively.
30. I Spy (Text Edition)
- Describe something in your current view (“I spy something red and round”).
- The other player tries to guess what it is.
- If chatting with someone next to you, keep it challenging!
31. Rapid Fire Predictions
Ask for quick predictions: “Where do you see yourself in five years?” or “What will happen on the next season of our favorite show?”
32. Last Letter, First Letter
- One player says a word; the next must reply with a word starting with the last letter of the previous word.
- For example: “Book” → “Kite” → “Elephant.” Repeat!
33. Where Am I?
- Describe your surroundings with vague hints (especially fun while traveling).
- Your friend guesses your location. Great for friends in different places.
34. Guess the Number
- Think of a number between X and Y. Your friend makes guesses, and you reply with “higher” or “lower” until they guess it.
35. Would You Survive?
Describe survival scenarios (“A zombie outbreak starts in your town—what’s your plan?”). Take turns inventing creative solutions.
Quick Reference: Best Texting Games by Mood
| Mood | Recommended Games |
|---|---|
| Laughter | Make It Rhyme, Category Race, Finish My Sentence |
| Bonding | Friendship Tag, Tell the Truth, Story Builder |
| Challenge | Trivia, Hangman, Guess the Number |
| Flirty | Truth or Dare, Never Have I Ever, Song Lyrics Challenge |
| Creativity | One-Word Story, Emoji Translation, Where Am I? |
Tips for Playing Texting Games
- Agree on Rules: Set boundaries or clarify rules to avoid confusion or discomfort.
- Choose Games by Relationship: Some games are better for friends, others for couples or family members.
- Keep It Light: The main aim is fun. Don’t pressure anyone to share or perform beyond their comfort zone.
- Switch Games Often: If a game starts to feel stale, try a new one!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can texting games strengthen relationships?
A: Yes! Many texting games encourage sharing, vulnerability, and humor, all of which enhance connections.
Q: Are there texting games for groups?
A: Absolutely. Games like Truth or Dare, Category Race, and Trivia work great in group texts.
Q: Can these games be flirty?
A: Of course. Games like Truth or Dare, Never Have I Ever, and Song Lyrics Challenge are popular choices for couples to flirt and get playful.
Q: Are there texting games for introverts or shy people?
A: Many games, such as Guess the Number or Hangman, are low-pressure and ideal for shy chatters. Pick games that match your comfort level.
Q: Can these games be played on any messaging app?
A: Yes. They work equally well on SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger, Snapchat, or any texting platform.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to beat boredom, make someone smile, or deepen your connection, texting games are a simple and effective solution. With these 35 options at your fingertips, your text conversations will never be dull again. Try them out, mix them up, and have fun building memories—one text at a time!
References
- https://parade.com/1043064/marynliles/texting-games/
- https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/the-texting-game/
- https://www.scribd.com/document/854226080/30-Texting-Games-Best-Games-to-Play-Over-Text-Parade-Entertainment-Recipes-Health-Life-Holidays
- https://www.talknats.com/2025/08/27/postgamer-133-nats-smacked-after-historically-bad-third-inning-a-recap/
- https://www.pinterest.com/ideas/games-to-play-with-him-over-text/932718963995/
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