Playing Browser Games on a Phone or Tablet: Controls and Performance Tips

What the badges mean

Game cards carry a small badge. Mobile means the game has full on-screen touch controls and is playable on phones and tablets. Mobile* means partial touch controls, so some actions still need a keyboard. A game marked Desktop only needs a keyboard and mouse and will not work properly on a touch screen.

On a touch device the games that will not work are dimmed and labelled instead of hidden, so you can still browse the whole catalogue.

Turn the device sideways

Most action games with on-screen sticks and buttons are designed for landscape. Rotating the device gives the game more room, and keeps the controls from covering what you need to see.

Use full screen

Where a game offers a full-screen button, use it. It removes browser bars and gives the game the whole display.

Keep performance smooth

• Close other tabs and apps before you start a 3D game.
• Use the quality or graphics setting if the game has one. A lower setting is smoother on older devices.
• Charge your device. Games that draw 3D graphics use more power than a web page.
• If a game is slow, reload the page. A fresh start clears memory.

If a game feels wrong on touch

• Check the badge. A game with Mobile* only supports part of its controls with touch.
• Rotate to landscape. Many games hide or squash their controls in portrait.
• Try full screen. Browser bars can steal space and accidentally respond to your thumbs.
• Look for a quality setting. Lowering it can fix stuttering on older phones.
• If the game stops responding, reload the page. Achievements and records in a signed-in game are saved to your account.

Board games and puzzles are the easy start

Turn-based games such as Checkers, Backgammon, Mahjong Solitaire and Rummikub are marked as fully mobile, and they ask little of a device. They are a good place to begin if you are new to playing in the browser.

Common questions

Why are some games dimmed on my phone?

They need a keyboard and mouse, so they are marked Desktop only. We still show them so that you can see everything on the site.

Will playing 3D games drain my battery?

3D graphics use more power than a page of text, so a long session will use noticeably more battery. Keep your device charged for long sessions.

Can I use a controller on a tablet?

Many games support the browser's gamepad feature, which works with controllers your device can pair with. Check the controls on the game page.

What is the easiest kind of game to start with on a phone?

Turn-based board games and puzzles. They ask little of the device and work well with taps.