The 15 Best Two-Player Mobile Games to Play Anywhere

Here are the best two-player mobile games that you can play on the same phone, on separate phones, or over the internet!

Are you bored in the office? Or perhaps you’re trying to pass the time while relaxing on vacation? Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, two-player mobile games are one of the best ways to while away your free time.

So, with that in mind, here are the best two-player mobile games that you can play on the same device, separate phones, or over the internet…

Two-Player Games to Play on the Same Device

If you don’t want to worry about logging in online or establishing a Bluetooth or local connection, these 1v1 two-player mobile games will let you play with someone on the same device…

1. Dots and Boxes

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Genre: Strategy

Dots and Boxes turns a traditional childhood pen-and-paper game into a convenient way to kill time with your phone. With local multiplayer, two people can play the game using the same Android or iOS device.

This offline functionality makes it useful when you don’t have access to Wi-Fi. It’s a simple, yet competitive and addictive game.

Download: Dots and Boxes for Android | iOS (Free)

2. Crossy Road

Genre: Arcade

Crossy Road takes inspiration from the classic retro game Frogger, delivering the same frustrating and addictive gameplay with a fun block aesthetic. The two-player mode allows you to play on the same device using a split-screen format for input.

You can simultaneously compete with and sabotage your opponent. The game also works with Android TV, allowing you to play on a larger screen.

Download: Crossy Road for Android | iOS (Free)

3. Glow Hockey 2

Genre: Arcade

Another real-world classic turned into a fun mobile game is Glow Hockey 2, bringing air hockey to your phone. While a smartphone or tablet screen makes the physical scale of the game much smaller, the competitive stakes feel the same, making it a great game for two players.

The gameplay is simple, yet incredibly fun. Use your finger to guide your striker. Then try to get the puck into your opponent’s goal while simultaneously defending your own goal.

Download: Glow Hockey 2 for Android | iOS (Free)

4. Badland

Genre: Adventure/Sidescroller

If you’re looking for something a little different, Badland is a unique title with a great art style that the critics have praised. The aim of the game is to guide your blob through obstacles until you reach the end of the stage.

The game has both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes. You play on the same device, which is the best way to coordinate your characters in real-time.

Download: Badland for Android (Free) | iOS ($0.99)

Two-Player Online Mobile Games

If you want to connect remotely through online play, there are a variety of two-player games you can try on your smartphone for both Android and iPhones. Some of these offer a competitive 1v1 game format, while others are cooperative.

5. Bowmasters

Genre: Action/Fighting

Bowmasters combines ragdoll physics, a charming art style, and cartoon violence to create a game that is fiendishly fun. The aim is to eliminate your opponent by lobbing a weapon towards them.

Calculating the trajectory of your weapon is half the fun. Meanwhile, the other half is landing the target and watching your friend’s dismay.

Before you can unlock the game’s PvP modes, you will need to complete the tutorial and a few matches. After that, two players can compete on the same device or online.

Download: Bowmasters for Android | iOS (Free)

6. Words With Friends 2

Genre: Word

After the success that was the Scrabble-inspired game Words With Friends, Zynga launched Words With Friends 2—an updated version. Two-player Android games that emulate classic board games are notoriously popular and this one is no different.

You can play online either with random opponents or friends. Another benefit of the game is that if you’re interrupted, you can continue your turn later.

Download: Words With Friends 2 for Android | iOS (Free)

7. Clash Royale

Genre: Card/Strategy

Clash Royale comes from the creators of Clash of Clans and is a mixture of a battle card and tower defense game. Opponents draw attackers and defenders from their deck of cards, with the aim of destroying the competitor’s towers before your own are destroyed.

You’ll need to finish the tutorial before you can play against a friend. Once you unlock this mode, you simply need to add your friend and start a match.

Download: Clash Royale for Android | iOS (Free)

8. Battlelands Royale

Genre: Battle Royale/Shooter

Battlelands Royale is a battle royale game similar to Fortnite and PUBG, but doesn’t require as much strategy or a high-end device. It’s great for short bouts of gaming with a friend, who you can team up with online through the game in its duos and squad modes.

Controls are simple and games are short, making it perfect as a quick time-waster for two players.

Download: Battlelands Royale for Android | iOS (Free)

9. Uno

Genre: Card

While matches in the Uno mobile game typically have four players, there is a 2v2 mode that lets you team up with a friend to play against opponents.

You need to unlock this mode by first completing a public match. But once you have done this, you can invite friends to partner up with you to battle against others.

There’s also a Room Mode you can use to play with those you invite to join.

Download: Uno for Android | iOS (Free)

10. Boggle With Friends

Genre: Word

Boggle is another traditional word game that Zynga has turned into a mobile success. In Boggle With Friends, the aim is to find as many words as possible from a randomly generated set of letters.

However, you can only connect letters adjacent to each other (vertically, horizontally, or diagonally). You win if you reach a higher number of points than your opponent before the timer runs out.

While each round is timed, the timer only starts once you start your turn. This means that you can play the game whenever you have time to spare.

Download: Boggle With Friends for Android | iOS (Free)

11. Golf Battle

Genre: Sports

Golf Battle lets you play 1v1 matches online with your friends on your smartphone, but you can hold matches with up to six people. The catch is that you need to connect via Facebook.

However, the game has a lot going for it—providing plenty of casual fun with short challenges and matches. It also doesn’t require too much concentration and doesn’t have a steep learning curve, making it easy to hop in and enjoy.

If your friends aren’t available, you can also join public matches—the default multiplayer mode of the game.

Download: Golf Battle for Android | iOS (Free)

12. Genshin Impact

Genre: RPG

If you’re looking for something more immersive, there’s Genshin Impact. Through its co-op mode, the title acts as a cross-platform mobile game you can play with friends.

You will need to sign up for or log into your Hoyoverse account to get started. Even after downloading the app, there is more data you will need to load before getting into the game. It’s recommended that you do this over Wi-Fi.

Once in the game, you can invite people on your friends list to join you for a co-op session. If you want to add new friends, you can do so using their user ID.

Download: Genshin Impact for Android | iOS (Free)

Two-Player Games You Play Over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth

While these games are a bit rarer, you can also try out some two-player games that let you connect to your opponent using Wi-Fi or even Bluetooth.

Here are a few to check out…

13. Sea Battle 2

Genre: Strategy

Sea Battle 2 is a Battleship-inspired game with an interesting pen-and-paper aesthetic. You can play with a friend on the same device—connecting via Bluetooth, sending a game invite, or joining online.

Since secrecy is a major element of gameplay, it’s better not to play the game on the same screen—but the option is there.

Download: Sea Battle 2 on Android | iOS (Free)

14. Soul Knight

Genre: Dungeon/Roguelike

Soul Knight is an incredibly fun dungeon crawler, reminiscent of games like Enter the Gungeon. Considering the simple controls and repetitive cycle of the genre’s gameplay, roguelike games on mobile are the perfect package.

You can play with friends by connecting to the same Wi-Fi network. The game will automatically detect whether someone connected to your network is hosting a match.

Download: Soul Knight for Android | iOS (Free)

15. Terraria

Genre: Sandbox

While most of these games are designed for short bouts of gameplay, Terraria is a multiplayer mobile game that you can spend hours playing. It is a mobile port of the popular PC game and allows you to play with friends using local Wi-Fi or by connecting to a PC-hosted dedicated mobile server.

It’s an inexpensive way for two players to enjoy a mobile game together and offers an experience well worth the price tag.

Download: Terraria for Android | iOS ($4.99)

16. Tank Stars

Genre: Tactical

Tank Stars is a Worms-inspired tactical game that has a very similar graphical style to Bowmasters. The variety of tanks and weapons, combined with the precision element of aiming, makes the game a fulfilling way to challenge your friends.

You can play on the same device or by connecting over the same Wi-Fi network. However, both modes need to be unlocked by completing a few practice AI matches.

Download: Tank Stars for Android | iOS (Free)

More Mobile Games to Add to Your Collection

While mobile games were once seen as overly simplistic and repetitive, they’ve evolved to become a massive phenomenon. You’ll still find idle clickers and match-three games, but there are also many amazing titles out there.

These games turn mobile gaming from a solo experience into one you can enjoy with a friend.