24 Fun Games to Play on Video Call with Friends (No App Needed)

Bored on a group call? These 24 games work on WhatsApp, Google Meet, Zoom or FaceTime with no extra app. Each one has quick steps, how many can play and what you need. The word lists are ready to copy.

How to Pick a Video Call Game

For the host who has to choose fast. Every game below runs on the call itself, with paper, a pen or things in your room. Only one (the quiz battle) needs a free website.

Before You Start: Set Up the Call

For whoever is hosting. Two minutes of setup saves the game from chaos.

1. Pick the app everyone already has. WhatsApp and FaceTime group calls take up to 32 people. Free Google Meet calls with 3 or more people stop at 60 minutes, and free Zoom meetings at 40 minutes, so plan short rounds or restart the call.
2. Use gallery or grid view so everyone can see the actor or the drawing.
3. Keep a pen and a few sheets of paper near you. Half these games need them.
4. Make one person the host. The host explains rules, keeps time and keeps score in the chat.

Zero-Prep Talking Games

For when you want to start right now. Nobody needs to leave their seat.

1. Two Truths and a Lie 🤥

Players: 3 or more. You need: nothing.

1. One person says three things about themselves. Two are true, one is a lie.
2. Everyone else votes on the lie, by show of hands or in the chat.
3. The speaker gets a point for every person they fool. Pass the turn on.

Tip: the best lies sound boring, and the best truths sound made up.

2. 20 Questions 🤔

Players: 2 or more. You need: nothing.

1. One person secretly picks a person, place or thing.
2. Others ask yes or no questions, one at a time. The picker counts out loud.
3. Guess it within 20 questions to win. If nobody does, the picker wins and picks again.

Stuck for something to pick? Copy one of these:

• A pressure cookerCopyShare
• The Taj MahalCopyShare
• Shah Rukh KhanCopyShare
• A rubber duckCopyShare
• The MoonCopyShare
• Your school principalCopyShare
• A cricket batCopyShare
• Spider-ManCopyShare
• A traffic lightCopyShare
• Grandma's spectaclesCopyShare
• A pizza delivery guyCopyShare
• The Eiffel TowerCopyShare

3. Would You Rather 🔀

Players: 2 or more. You need: nothing.

1. One person asks a "would you rather" question with two options.
2. Everyone answers at the same time by holding up 1 or 2 fingers to the camera.
3. The smallest side has to defend their choice in 30 seconds.

Video call starters to copy (more in our would you rather questions):

• Would you rather have your camera stuck on or your mic stuck on for a whole day?CopyShare
• Would you rather video call your crush by mistake or your teacher by mistake?CopyShare
• Would you rather have a frozen screen in every call or an echo in every call?CopyShare
• Would you rather show your messy room on camera or your phone's gallery for 10 seconds?CopyShare
• Would you rather only talk in whispers on calls or only talk in a cartoon voice?CopyShare
• Would you rather have your mom join every friends' call or your boss join every family call?CopyShare
• Would you rather lose WiFi during a match final or during your best friend's big news?CopyShare
• Would you rather live in a world with no video calls or no voice notes?CopyShare

4. Never Have I Ever ✋

Players: 3 or more. You need: your ten fingers.

1. Everyone holds up ten fingers to the camera.
2. One person says "Never have I ever..." and something they have never done.
3. Anyone who has done it puts one finger down. Last person with fingers up wins.

Clean prompts for a friends' call (find 170+ more in our never have I ever questions):

• Never have I ever left a video call by pretending my internet died.CopyShare
• Never have I ever attended an online class while still in bed.CopyShare
• Never have I ever kept my camera off because I had not combed my hair.CopyShare
• Never have I ever talked for a full minute while on mute.CopyShare
• Never have I ever used a filter on a work or college call.CopyShare
• Never have I ever joined a call from the bathroom.CopyShare
• Never have I ever laughed so hard on a call that I had to switch my camera off.CopyShare
• Never have I ever waved goodbye on a call and then struggled to find the end button.CopyShare

5. Most Likely To 👉

Players: 4 or more. You need: nothing.

1. The host reads a "who is most likely to" line.
2. On "3, 2, 1", everyone points at the screen tile of the person they pick, or types the name in the chat.
3. Whoever gets the most votes has to explain themselves.

A few to start (our most likely to game has 180):

• Who is most likely to join the call 20 minutes late and ask what they missed?CopyShare
• Who is most likely to forget they are on camera and pick their nose?CopyShare
• Who is most likely to end the call and call back one minute later with gossip?CopyShare
• Who is most likely to fall asleep before everyone says bye?CopyShare
• Who is most likely to take a screenshot of everyone looking weird?CopyShare
• Who is most likely to say "I'll just be 2 minutes" and disappear for 20?CopyShare

6. Storytelling Chain 📖

Players: 3 or more. You need: nothing.

1. The host reads a story starter.
2. Going in screen order, each person adds one sentence.
3. Say "Plot twist!" once per round to force the next person to change the story. The last person must end it.

Story starters to copy:

• The day my phone started answering calls by itself, things got strange.CopyShare
• Our school trip bus took a wrong turn and stopped in front of a castle.CopyShare
• A goat walked into the wedding hall and sat in the front row.CopyShare
• I opened the fridge at midnight and someone inside said hello.CopyShare
• The class topper failed for the first time, and only I knew why.CopyShare
• Our building lift got stuck, and the only other person inside was a famous cricketer.CopyShare
• The power went out, and when it came back, everyone in the house had switched voices.CopyShare
• My grandmother's old box had a map, a key and a note with my name on it.CopyShare

7. I Went to the Market 🛒

Players: 3 or more. You need: a good memory.

1. First person says "I went to the market and bought..." plus one item.
2. The next person repeats the full list and adds one item.
3. Miss or mix up an item and you are out. Last one left wins.

Make it harder: items must go in A to Z order (apples, bangles, chai...).

8. Sneaky Phrase 🕵️

Players: 3 to 8. You need: a private chat with the host.

1. Before the call, the host sends each player a secret odd phrase on a private message.
2. Everyone chats normally. Your job is to slip your phrase into the talk without anyone noticing.
3. If someone catches you, they say "Sneaky!" and guess the phrase. Right guess = they get the point. Not caught by the end = you get two.

Odd phrases to hand out:

• My uncle once lost a race to a tortoise.CopyShare
• I think pineapples are planning something.CopyShare
• That reminds me of my favourite spoon.CopyShare
• Even my cat would agree with that.CopyShare
• Let us not talk about the jelly incident.CopyShare
• I can whistle with my nose, by the way.CopyShare
• My neighbour sings to his plants every morning.CopyShare
• That sounds like a job for a penguin.CopyShare

Acting and Drawing Games

For friends who do not mind looking silly on camera.

9. Charades (Dumb Charades) 🎭

Players: 4 or more, in two teams. You need: a word list and a phone timer.

1. The host sends one actor a word on a private message.
2. The actor has 60 seconds to act it out with no words or lip movement. Only their team guesses.
3. Right guess = one point. Teams take turns. Keep the camera wide so your whole body shows.

Charades words that work well on a small screen:

• Brushing your teethCopyShare
• Riding a scooter in trafficCopyShare
• Making rotisCopyShare
• Taking a selfieCopyShare
• SwimmingCopyShare
• Playing the guitarCopyShare
• Bowling a cricket ballCopyShare
• Doing yogaCopyShare
• Getting caught sleeping in classCopyShare
• Opening a stuck jarCopyShare
• Walking a naughty dogCopyShare
• Riding a horseCopyShare
• A mosquito you cannot catchCopyShare
• Washing clothes by handCopyShare
• Proposing on one kneeCopyShare

10. Heads Up, No App Version 🙈

The famous Heads Up! game is a paid app. This version needs only paper.

Players: 3 or more. You need: paper, a marker and a 60 second timer.

1. The guesser closes their eyes. The host writes a word and holds it up to the camera for everyone else.
2. The others shout clues without saying the word itself.
3. The guesser has 60 seconds to get as many words as possible. The next word goes up as soon as one is guessed.

Heads Up words to copy:

• BiryaniCopyShare
• Harry PotterCopyShare
• Traffic jamCopyShare
• MonsoonCopyShare
• NetflixCopyShare
• Selfie stickCopyShare
• Wedding seasonCopyShare
• Roller coasterCopyShare
• HomeworkCopyShare
• SupermanCopyShare
• Power cutCopyShare
• GolgappaCopyShare

11. Pictionary on Paper ✏️

Players: 2 or more. You need: paper or a small whiteboard and a marker.

1. The host sends the drawer a word privately.
2. The drawer holds the paper up close to the camera and draws. No letters, no numbers.
3. 60 seconds to guess. Correct guesser and drawer both get a point.

Tip: phones flip the front camera image for the drawer, but others see it the right way, so do not worry if it looks mirrored to you.

Words that are easy to draw but fun to guess:

• RainbowCopyShare
• SnowmanCopyShare
• Birthday cakeCopyShare
• KiteCopyShare
• VolcanoCopyShare
• ToothbrushCopyShare
• Spider webCopyShare
• Hot air balloonCopyShare
• LighthouseCopyShare
• Auto rickshawCopyShare
• Ice cream coneCopyShare
• Treasure chestCopyShare

12. Read My Lips 👄

Players: 2 or more. You need: the mute button.

1. One person mutes their mic.
2. They slowly mouth a word or a short sentence.
3. Others guess. Three wrong guesses and the speaker wins the round.

Easy round: names of friends on the call. Hard round: full movie titles.

Get Up and Move Games

For when everyone has been sitting too long. These use the stuff in your home.

13. Scavenger Hunt 🔍

Players: 2 or more. You need: your house.

1. The host reads one item from the list.
2. Everyone runs to find it and shows it on camera.
3. First to show it gets a point. Ten rounds, most points wins.

Scavenger hunt list to copy:

• Something older than youCopyShare
• Something that smells goodCopyShare
• A spoon that is not steelCopyShare
• Something with your name on itCopyShare
• The funniest photo in your homeCopyShare
• Something blue that is not clothingCopyShare
• A book you never finishedCopyShare
• Something that makes a noiseCopyShare
• Something smaller than your thumbCopyShare
• A plant (a real one)CopyShare
• Your oldest piece of clothingCopyShare
• Something you wonCopyShare

14. Spot What Changed 👀

Players: 2 or more. You need: things around you.

1. One player sits still on camera while everyone looks for 20 seconds.
2. That player turns the camera off and changes three things, like a clip in the hair, a cup on the desk or a poster behind them.
3. Camera back on. First to spot all three changes wins.

15. Guess the Close-Up 🔎

Players: 2 or more. You need: any small objects.

1. One player holds an object very close to the camera so only a blurry part shows.
2. Every 10 seconds, they move it a little further away.
3. The sooner you guess, the more points: 3 points at close, 2 at middle, 1 when it is fully visible.

16. Guess the Sound 🔊

Players: 2 or more. You need: things that make noise.

1. One player turns their camera to face the wall or covers it.
2. They make a sound with something in their house.
3. Others guess the object. Two points if you guess it on the first try.

Sounds that are tricky over a call:

• Shaking a box of matchesCopyShare
• Tearing a sheet of newspaperCopyShare
• Stirring tea with a spoonCopyShare
• Closing a pressure cooker lidCopyShare
• Zipping a bagCopyShare
• Pouring rice into a steel bowlCopyShare
• Clicking a penCopyShare
• Rubbing a balloonCopyShare

Quiz and Brain Games

For the friends who love to win and love to argue about answers even more.

17. Trivia Night 🧠

Players: 3 or more. You need: a list of questions.

1. The host reads a question out loud.
2. Everyone types the answer in the chat at the same time, so no one copies.
3. One point per correct answer. Five rounds of five, with a theme each round: movies, cricket, food, general knowledge and "about the group".

General knowledge round to copy (answers in brackets):

• Which planet is known as the Red Planet? (Mars)CopyShare
• What is the capital of Australia? (Canberra)CopyShare
• How many sides does a hexagon have? (Six)CopyShare
• What is the largest animal on Earth? (Blue whale)CopyShare
• Which gas do plants take in from the air? (Carbon dioxide)CopyShare
• Which country gave the Statue of Liberty to the USA? (France)CopyShare
• How many bones are in an adult human body? (206)CopyShare
• Who wrote Romeo and Juliet? (William Shakespeare)CopyShare
• What is the smallest prime number? (2)CopyShare
• What is the hardest natural substance? (Diamond)CopyShare

18. Kahoot-Style Quiz Battle 📱

QuizUp, the old trivia app, shut down in 2021. To get the same buzzer-style feel on a call, use a free quiz website. This is the only game here that needs one.

Players: 3 or more. You need: a free quiz site and a second screen or tab for each player.

1. The host makes a free account on Kahoot and builds a quiz, or picks a ready-made public one.
2. The host shares their screen on the call and starts the game. Players join at kahoot.it in any browser using the game PIN, no app needed.
3. Faster correct answers score more points. The leaderboard shows after every question.

Note: Kahoot's free personal plan works for a small group of about 10 players. For more people, make a quiz in Google Forms instead and send the link in the chat.

19. Name Place Animal Thing 📝

The classic Indian school game, perfect for a call.

Players: 2 or more. You need: paper and a pen each.

1. Everyone draws five columns: Name, Place, Animal, Thing, Points.
2. The host says a random letter. Everyone fills one word per column starting with that letter.
3. First person done shouts "Stop!" and everyone puts pens down. Read answers out: 10 points for a unique answer, 5 if someone else has the same one.

20. DIY Escape Room 🔐

Players: 2 to 8. You need: a host with 4 to 5 puzzles written on paper.

1. The host says: "You are locked in my room. Solve the puzzles to get the 4 digit code."
2. The host holds each puzzle up to the camera, one at a time. Each answer is one digit.
3. Players work together. If they crack the code within 15 minutes, they escape.

A ready set of puzzles to copy (the code is 3554):

Want harder puzzles? Mix in a few from our riddles with answers.

21. Video Call Bingo 🎱

Players: 3 or more. You need: paper and a pen.

1. Everyone copies the bingo card below onto paper, but in their own random order.
2. Play other games or just chat. When something on your card happens on the call, cross it off.
3. First person to cross off a full row shouts "Bingo!" and wins.

Bingo card to copy:

Music Games

For the friends who sing in every group trip. Sing, hum or clap, no music apps needed.

22. Antakshari 🎤

Players: 4 or more, in two teams. You need: your voice.

1. Team A sings a few lines of any song.
2. Team B must start a new song with the last letter (or sound) of Team A's song, within 10 seconds.
3. A team that cannot start a song in time loses a point. Songs cannot repeat.

Tip: on a call, only one person should sing at a time, because of the audio lag.

23. Hum the Song 🎶

Players: 2 or more. You need: nothing.

1. One player hums or claps the tune of a well-known song. No words.
2. Others guess the song name.
3. First right guess gets the point and hums next.

Theme rounds: wedding songs, cartoon theme songs, 90s hits, cricket anthems.

Big Group Game

For a group of 6 or more who want one long game.

24. Mafia (Werewolf) 🐺

Players: 6 to 15. You need: a host and private messages.

1. The host privately messages each player a role: Mafia (1 or 2 players), one Doctor, one Detective, and the rest Villagers.
2. Night: everyone turns their camera off. Mafia privately message the host who they want to "eliminate". The Doctor messages who to save, and the Detective asks the host about one player.
3. Day: cameras on. The host shares who was eliminated (unless saved). Everyone argues and votes one player out.
4. Villagers win if all Mafia are out. Mafia win when they equal the Villagers.

Tips for a Smooth Game Night

For the host who wants everyone to have fun, not just the loudest friend.

• Lag is real. On calls, a second of delay is normal, so use the chat for answers when speed matters.
• Mute when you are not playing. Background noise ruins guessing games.
• Use a timer on your phone and say "Time!" out loud so everyone knows.
• Mix it up. One talking game, one acting game, one quiz game, then a break.
• Keep it kind. Skip prompts that would embarrass someone in front of the group.
• Keep the fun going after the call with WhatsApp dare games in your group chat.

Want games played inside apps and websites instead? See our list of games to play with friends online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read also30 Games to Play With Friends Online: Free Apps, Sites and Chat Games

Read alsoTruth and Dare Game: 209 Questions and Dares for Every Group