Want to play 20 Questions on your iPhone but don't know where to start? GamePigeon puts the game inside your Messages conversation, while ordinary texts let you play without downloading anything. Here's how to start a round with a friend, find a missing GamePigeon shortcut, or play against a computer opponent in Safari.
Get GamePigeon inside Messages
GamePigeon includes 20 Questions for playing through iMessage with one friend. Both players need GamePigeon installed on an iPhone or iPad.
Open your friend's conversation in Messages. Tap +, then tap Store. Find GamePigeon and tap Get. You need an Apple Account to download it.
Tap Install if prompted, then authenticate when requested. Close the store to return to your conversation. Have your friend install GamePigeon on their iPhone or iPad too.
Turn on iMessage before sending a game
GamePigeon needs an iMessage conversation to work. Installing the app is only part of the setup.
Go to Settings > Apps > Messages. Turn on iMessage, then open Send & Receive. Select the phone number or email address where you want to receive iMessages.
If you can't use iMessage with your friend, use the text-message method below. It needs no game download and works with an Android recipient too.
Start your first 20 Questions round
Choose who holds the secret, then send your first game.
- 1.In Messages, open your friend's conversation and tap +.
- 2.Swipe up to find GamePigeon, then tap it.
- 3.Select 20 Questions and enter a secret word.
- 4.Tap Play, then the Send arrow.
- 5.Your friend opens the game message and sends a question. Answer with Yes, No, or Sometimes. Choose You've guessed it when they identify the secret.
- 6.Continue exchanging questions and answers until your friend guesses correctly or reaches the 20-question limit.
Restore a missing GamePigeon shortcut
These controls restore access to a disabled iMessage app and put its shortcut within easier reach.
Open Settings > Apps > Messages > iMessage Apps. Turn on GamePigeon if it appears in the list. If it isn't listed, find GamePigeon through Messages > your conversation > + > Store.
Return to your conversation in Messages and tap +. Older layouts used an App Store icon beside the text field and an app drawer above the keyboard; the current interface uses this menu. Move the GamePigeon shortcut higher by touching and holding its icon, then dragging it to your preferred position.
Play by text without downloading anything
Don't want another app? One person chooses a secret, and the other gets up to 20 yes/no questions to identify it. Ordinary messages work for this, including with an Android friend.
Open Messages. Tap the Compose button, then enter your friend in the To field. Type a message agreeing on who chooses the secret for the first round. Tap the Send arrow.
Exchange numbered yes/no questions and answers. Numbering each question keeps the count visible in the conversation. End the round after a correct guess or the twentieth question. Switch roles for the next round.
In an iMessage conversation, you can play aloud instead if typing slows things down: tap the conversation's FaceTime button, then FaceTime Audio or FaceTime Video. Keep the question count yourselves.
Try a browser game for solo play without an app
Cool Family Games gives you a computer opponent without a download or account.
Open the Cool Family Games 20 Questions page in Safari. Enter a yes/no question under Type your question. Use this text box on your iPhone because the site's browser microphone feature doesn't support iPhone Safari.
Tap Ask. Type the object's name when you're ready to guess. Tap Give up and restart to begin another round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get prompts for a group game?
Yes. Open 20questions.app in Safari and use its Next control for game prompts. One person chooses the secret while the others ask up to 20 yes/no questions aloud or by text. Players manage turns and scoring.
Can Siri help with a text-message game?
Yes. Siri can read messages and help you respond. For example, say “Read my last message from Antonio.” You and your friend still choose the secret and keep the question count.
Can I dictate questions instead of typing them?
Yes. During a manual text game, tap the Dictate key in the Messages text field. Speak your question or answer, then tap Send. Keep track of the 20-question limit yourself.
Does GamePigeon need a recent version of iOS?
No. GamePigeon's App Store listing requires iOS 10.0 or later. The Messages navigation above uses the current interface.