Mobile games tend to get a bad rap from more avid gamers, who might find it difficult to imagine what an immersive gameplay experience even looks like on a phone screen. If you are looking to dip your toes into the deep ocean that is mobile games, idle games are a perfect place to start.
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PostsThe beauty of a good idle game is that it rewards you both for playing it and for stepping away. However, the very best idle games will have you so enthralled that you might have trouble putting your phone down in the first place.
Idle games are defined as games that can be rewarding even when you're not actively playing them. The games on this list all offer that feature, but they also have something extra that makes them stand out.
It could be humor, quality graphics, great music, interesting context, huge scale, or something more. The ones we've picked out were chosen because they're generally enjoyable, are built to last, and are very accessible while also being cute and fun.
Updated April 24, 2025 by Jacob Whaling: We've updated this list again with even more idle games to play on iOS and Android.
Cookie Clicker
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Idle Games Systems OpenCritic Reviews Released August 8, 2013 ESRB e Developer(s) Julien "Orteil" Thiennot, Dashnet Publisher(s) Playsaurus Engine Fractal Engine Steam Deck Compatibility Playable PC Release Date September 1, 2021WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThere was a time when the idea of playing a game without actually playing it sounded ridiculous... and honestly, it still does, but you can't argue with the results. The idle genre seemingly appeared overnight thanks to the sensation that is Cookie Clicker.
This is a game where you click a cookie. That's it. There's a big chocolate chip cookie in the middle of the screen, and you have to click (or tap) it to get more cookies. You then use these cookies so that you get more cookies with each tap.
Idle Slayer
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Idle Games Systems Released July 27, 2020 ESRB eWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALGames like Contra helped bring to life the idea of the Run n' Gun game, which lives on in more recent titles like Cuphead and Iron Meat. But what if you're running, and you don't have a gun but a sword instead? Then you've got the Dash n' Slash game, which is where Idle Slayer falls into place.
This is a 2D pixel world where you're guiding a hero across a long stretch of land full of obstacles, pitfalls, and enemies to get through. You can interact by tapping to slash and jump so that you can slay, collect things, and avoid eating dirt.
Almost A Hero
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Fantasy RPG Casual Systems Developer(s) Bee Square Games, Deca Games Publisher(s) Deca Games Number of Players 1WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe fantasy hero is frequently tasked with saving a land of helpless villagers when they could also take some time to train them. There's always a chance that the village could be attacked when the hero is off doing something else like fighting a boss or collecting bugs. When this happens, the villagers are forced to step up like in Almost A Hero.
This humorous little adventure has you controlling a party of villagers who have tried to find a natural synergy between hero classes and their own roles in life. You've got kids playing pretend, old men sharing their wisdom, maidens lending their hearty support, and more.
You'll lead them in fights, help them upgrade their basic abilities into something more impressive and get them closer to looking like actual heroes. When you're away, you can trust them to fight on their own only to come back and see how much the downtrodden have trodden down on the villains.
Forest Island
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Casual Simulation Systems Developer(s) Nanali Studios Publisher(s) Nanali Studios Number of Players 1WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALIn Forest Island, you slowly expand the natural habitats of your world. Each biome hosts beautiful wildlife and adorable creatures who will have you cooing at your phone. The gameplay revolves around earning enough resources from your animals to continue to rejuvenate nature.
The only downside of this game is that there are quite a few ads, but they're almost always optional. If you want to progress more quickly, you watch something for 30 seconds and start building! It doesn't feel unbalanced or predatory.
One of our favorite aspects of the game is the photo mode, where you're challenged to take pictures of your animals in unique poses and activities.
AdVenture Capitalist
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Simulation Casual Business Systems OpenCritic Reviews Released March 30, 2015 ESRB Everyone Developer(s) Kongregate Inc, Hyper Hippo Productions Ltd Publisher(s) Hyper Hippo Productions Ltd, Kongregate Inc Engine Unity Number of Players 1 Steam Deck Compatibility UnsupportedWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALIn AdVenture Capitalist, you can fulfill your dream of becoming a millionaire! In this economy, who could turn that down? Just like real millionaires, you earn money by doing absolutely nothing - it accumulates throughout the day! You can customize and control your business, though, upgrading it and hiring managers to deal with the messy stuff in your absence.
Pretty quickly, you'll be surprised to see how far you can go - literally! Just like real billionaires, you can leave Earth and start to explore the universe! We're sure nothing will go wrong.
Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector
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Simulation Casual Systems Released October 20, 2014 Developer(s) Hit Point Co. Ltd. Publisher(s) Hit Point Co. Ltd., Sony Interactive Entertainment Number of Players 1WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALNeko Atsume might be the pinnacle of mobile idle games. Unlike many other idle games, which build many of their mechanics around enticing you to watch advertisements, Neko Atsume asks very little of you other than your time. You use fish currency to buy food and leave it out for the neighborhood 'strays.' In return for full tummies, they gift you more fish.
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Egg Inc.
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Strategy Action Systems Released July 1, 2016 ESRB e Engine unreal engineWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALOn its surface, Egg Inc appears to be an idle clicker game about having the best chicken farm. In actuality, it is about unlocking the secrets of the universe. Yes, you read that right. The more profitable your egg farm becomes, the more types of "world-breaking" eggs you discover.
From eggs that can cure a common cold to eggs that can power rocket ships, each discovery helps you expand your egg empire. The game is also extremely generous with the random gifts it bestows upon you, making it incredibly easy to continue your path to the egg overlord.
AFK Arena
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RPG History Anime Systems Released June 28, 2018 Developer(s) Lilith Games Publisher(s) Lilith Games Engine Cocos2d Number of Players 1WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALIf MMORPGs, gacha, or auto-chess games are your cup of tea, then AFK Arena is the perfect mobile game to pick up. This stunning art nouveau style idle game goes so in-depth with its strategies and mechanics that it can be difficult to get started as a newbie, but if learning new metas is your thing, AFK Arena has your name written all over it.
Build your team of heroes, send them off into battle, and collect loot from their victories while you are AFK! The further you progress, the more heroes you will unlock.
Cats & Soup
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Idle Games Systems Released July 30, 2021 ESRB t Developer(s) Neowiz Publisher(s) Netflix Engine unityWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThere is something very Ghibli-esque about this idle game, in which a bunch of kitties work together to cook some soup out in the woods. Whether you are there to sell their soup or taking a step away from your phone, Cats & Soup lets you reap the benefits of your cat's hard work, earning billions of coins.
The more riches you accrue, the more recipes and ingredients you might unlock, which means finding new cats to work in your woodsy soup kitchen. You can even get your kitties' outfits to boost their cooking stats and feed them fish to boost their happiness.
RAID: Shadow Legends
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Like Follow FollowedRaid: Shadow Legends
RPG Gacha Systems 10.0/10 Released July 29, 2018 ESRB t Engine Unity Platform(s) Android, iOS, PC Developer Plarium Games Publisher Plarium Games How Long To Beat 20+ Hours Powered by Expand CollapseYou would be hard-pressed to find a gamer who has not heard of RAID: Shadow Legends. This is another natural fit for the MMORPG fan looking for a more casual mobile game experience. Send your team of Champions on raids and dungeon runs, or challenge other players in PVP arena battles. Or let your heroes journey on their own while you do other things.
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