You can play most famous board games on your phone through their official apps, including Catan Universe, Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, Monopoly, Scrabble GO and Wingspan. For quick games with someone sitting next to you, look for pass-and-play mode, and for classics like chess, checkers, backgammon and Ludo there are plenty of free apps that also play against the computer.
Before you download anything, check two things in the store listing: whether the app has a pass-and-play or local mode, and whether it works offline against the computer. Many board game apps are free to download and charge for extra maps, expansions or features inside the app, while others are a one-off paid download. Read the listing so you know which kind you're getting.
Official apps of famous board games
These are the digital versions made or licensed by the people behind the original games. They follow the real rules, which is the big advantage over copycat apps. They also teach the rules as you play, so they're a handy way to learn a game before buying the box.
Catan Universe
Who it suits: players who already love Catan, or want to learn it, and like playing against people online. Main strength: it's the official version, with the real board, trading and building. Main limit: it leans on online play and an account, and the extra scenarios and expansions are paid extras inside the app.
Ticket to Ride
Who it suits: families and new board gamers. You collect coloured train cards and claim routes across a map, which is easy to explain to anyone. Main strength: it has solo play against the computer and pass-and-play on one device, so it works well on a sofa or a long journey. Main limit: it's a paid app, and extra maps are sold separately.
Carcassonne
Who it suits: people who like calm, thoughtful games. You place tiles to build a countryside of roads, cities and fields, and score as you go. Main strength: short turns and a clear look on a small screen. Main limit: the base game is a paid download, and some expansions cost extra.
Monopoly
Who it suits: anyone who grew up with the board and wants the familiar game without the hours of setup. Main strength: the official app handles the money and the rules for you, and you can play against the computer or pass the phone round. Main limit: it's a paid app with optional extra boards, and games can still run long.
Scrabble GO
Who it suits: word lovers who want quick games against friends or strangers online. Main strength: it's free to download and you can play at your own pace, with a move every few hours if you like. Main limit: it has ads and in-app purchases, and it's built around online play rather than playing with someone in the same room.
Wingspan
Who it suits: people who enjoy engine-building games and want something gentle and beautiful. You attract birds to your nature reserve, and each bird adds a power. Main strength: the digital version handles all the bookkeeping and has a solo mode. Main limit: it's a paid game, and it's more complex than the others here, so it's not the best first pick for children. Check your phone's app store, as availability can differ between platforms.
Pass-and-play on one phone
Pass-and-play is the feature that turns a phone into a shared board. Everyone plays on the same device and hands it to the next person after their turn. It's perfect for travel, waiting rooms, or a night in when nobody wants to set up a real board.
A few tips make it work better:
- Hide your hand. In games with secret cards, like Ticket to Ride, the app usually shows a screen between turns so the next player doesn't see your cards. Look away while the phone changes hands.
- Use a tablet if you've got one. A bigger screen means everyone can see the board without leaning in.
- Turn off notifications. Nothing kills a game faster than a message popping up mid-turn. Switch on your phone's focus or silent mode first.
- Keep it charged. Board game apps can drain a battery quickly. Plug in for longer sessions.
Not every app offers pass-and-play, and some only offer it in certain modes. If it's not mentioned in the store listing, search the app's settings or play menu for the words local, offline or pass and play.
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Classic boards: chess, checkers, backgammon and Ludo
You don't need a famous brand to enjoy a board game on your phone. The classics are free in many apps and they're ideal for short breaks.
- Chess. Lots of free chess apps let you play the computer at different levels, solve puzzles or play friends online. Who it suits: anyone from beginners to serious players. Main strength: endless depth and lessons built in. Main limit: online play needs a connection, so pick an app with a computer opponent if you want to play offline. My guide to free offline chess and board games for Android lists options that don't need you to sign up.
- Checkers (draughts). Simple to learn and quick to play. Who it suits: kids and casual players. Main strength: fast games that are easy to pick up again. Main limit: it's less varied than chess, so some people get bored sooner.
- Backgammon. A mix of luck and skill that's great for short sessions. Who it suits: people who like a bit of risk in their tactics. Main strength: dice keep every game fresh. Main limit: many free versions show ads between games. Play for fun and points only.
- Ludo King. The well-known app version of Ludo. Who it suits: families and groups of friends, and it's a household favourite in India. Main strength: it supports local play on one phone, games against the computer and online games with friends. Main limit: it has ads, and online games depend on everyone having a good connection.
If you'd like to explore more of the old favourites on a real table, have a look at my guide to classic board games.
Quick comparison
| Game | Players | Pass-and-play | Offline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catan Universe | Solo vs computer or online | Check the app | Mostly online |
| Ticket to Ride | Solo or with friends | Yes | Yes, vs computer |
| Carcassonne | Solo or with friends | Yes | Yes, vs computer |
| Monopoly | Solo or with friends | Yes | Yes, vs computer |
| Scrabble GO | Online with friends or strangers | No | Mostly online |
| Wingspan | Solo or with friends | Yes | Yes, solo mode |
| Chess apps | Two | Most do | Yes, vs computer |
| Ludo King | Two to a group | Yes | Yes, vs computer |
Publishers change modes and features over time, so treat this as a starting point. Before a trip, open each game once in airplane mode to check it still works without a connection. For a bigger list built around family nights, see my free offline board game apps for family night.
What I'd install first
If you're new to board games on your phone, I'd start with Ticket to Ride for a group, Carcassonne if you like quieter games, and a free chess app for quick breaks. Then add Ludo King if your family loves Ludo. That covers a game for most moods without filling your phone.
Make a board game app? See how to get it featured on this list.
Related: the trading page.
Frequently asked questions
Can you play board games on your phone with friends in the same room?
Yes. Look for pass-and-play or local mode, which lets everyone share one phone or tablet and take turns. Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, Monopoly and Ludo King all offer a way to play together on one device.
Are board game apps free?
Some are free to download, like Scrabble GO and Ludo King, but may show ads or sell extras inside the app. Others, like Ticket to Ride and Carcassonne, are paid downloads. Check the store listing before you install.
Which board games on your phone work offline?
Many official apps let you play against the computer without internet, including Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne and Monopoly. Online-first games like Scrabble GO need a connection. Test any app in airplane mode before you rely on it.
Is it better to learn a board game on an app first?
It can help. Official apps teach the rules as you play and handle the scoring, so you can learn a game like Catan or Wingspan before buying the physical box.
