All iMessage games are turn-based, so you and your friends can play leisurely.

Some games below are iMessage exclusives, while others can be played outside the app.

If you are unfamiliar with iMessage gaming, we’ll show you how it works.

Closeup of woman typing in a messages app on a mobile phone.

Tero Vesalainen / Getty Images

Word Game Tournaments for iMessage: Boggle With Friends

Multiple gameplay modes and live tournaments.

It’s fun to play alone or with others.

Must pay to participate in tournaments.

Boggle With Friends app

It’s a fast-paced version of Scrabble.

Download theBoggle With Friendsapp to practice independently, then challenge your friends in iMessage.

Best Multi-Game Compilation for iMessage: Game Pigeon

Frequent updates include new games and bug fixes.

Game Pigeon app for iMessage

Some games support more than two players.

Lots of cool optional in-app purchases.

Some games are confusing and don’t have instructions.

Cobi Hoops for iMessage

Most games are limited to two players.

Lots of content behind paywall; pay to remove ads.

Game Pigeonpacks over a dozen classic games into one app.

WIT Puzzles app for iMessage

Challenge your friends to a friendly bout of Checkers, Poker, Gomoku, or Battleship from iMessage.

All games are free to play, but most games contain in-app purchases.

Best Basketball Game for iMessage: Cobi Hoops

Lots of cool characters and courts.

Truth Truth Lie app for iMessage

Outstanding pixel art; every character unique-looking.

Not very competitive; no way to block opponents' shots.

Must pay to unlock additional characters and game modes.

Let’s Puck It! app for iMessage

In this free game, players compete to see how many baskets they can make in 30-second rounds.

Use trick shots to raise your score and unlock new challenge modes.

Create puzzles out of photos or text.

Downloading iMessage games on an iPhone

It requests access to iCloud.

Has occasional bugs and glitches.

WIT Puzzlesturns your photos into slide puzzles for your friends to unscramble.

How to play games in iMessage

The app tracks how many moves players take to put the pieces in the right place.

In addition to iMessage,WIT Puzzlesis available for WhatsApp and Facebook.

Two Lies and a Truth mode.

You don’t need an app to play Two Truths and a Lie.

No recent app enhancements.

Two Truths and a Lie is a game people play in groups to get to know each other better.

Each player makes three statements about themselves, and everyone else has to guess which statement is false.

Air Hockey With a Twist: Let’s Puck It!

An interesting concept with lots of possibilities.

A great tool for settling disputes.

Turn-based play doesn’t match excitement of real air hockey.

Some of the built-in bets are a bit crude.

Lets Puck It!puts an interesting spin on an old American pastime by encouraging players to wager bets.

But be careful what you wager because the pace of the puck increases with every volley.

Older versions of iOS don’t support iMessage games.

First, create a new conversation and tap theAppsicon located next to the iMessage text box.

You should see a selection of apps, games, and stickers compatible with iMessage.

Use the search feature to find the game you’re looking for, and then tapGetto install it.

From theAppsmenu, scroll through your apps to find the game you want to play and tap it.

Select theSendicon to send an invite.

As soon as your friend accepts it, the game will begin.

it’s possible for you to start playing right away.

When your turn is finished, your friend receives a message letting them know it’s their turn.

In a conversation, select theAppsbutton as usual, and then choose the Game Pigeon icon.

Several iMessage versions of Reversi (also known as Othello) are available for iMessage.

Game Pigeon’s is called Reversi.

you’re able to also download a standalone version like Piccolo: Othello.