10 Best Indie Games on iOS & Android (January 2026)

Looking for the best indie games on iOS and Android? Mobile gaming has come a long way, and indie games are leading the charge with fresh ideas, creative stories, and unique gameplay. With so many titles to choose from, it can be tough to know where to begin. So, here’s a handpicked list of the best indie games you can play on your phone or tablet!

What Defines the Best Indie Mobile Game?

The best indie games have something special that grabs you right away. They often try new ideas instead of repeating what everyone else does. Some focus on clever puzzles, while others tell small but meaningful stories. Even simple ones manage to surprise you with how creative they are. They don’t rely on flashy graphics or huge budgets, just strong ideas and fun gameplay that fit perfectly on a phone screen.

List of 10 Best Indie Games on iOS & Android

These are the mobile indie games you’ll want to play more than once. They’re the kind you think about even after putting your phone down.

10. Vampire Survivors

One of the most popular indie mobile games of all time

Vampire Survivors is that wild pixel-style action game where waves of enemies never stop coming. You start small with a single attack that automatically fires as you move across the map. Enemies close in from all sides, and you keep collecting glowing gems to level up your weapons. Every few seconds, you choose new upgrades that can change the entire match. Knives, axes, and whips all behave differently, so what you pick affects how long you can stay alive.

The simple design hides surprising depth as battles get busier and more chaotic. The longer you last, the faster the enemies rush in, and the screen turns into a storm of hits and explosions. Then things get more intense as you unlock new stages and heroes. Each character changes how you approach survival, thanks to unique weapon setups and stat bonuses. It’s simple yet incredibly addictive, and the endless chaos never lets your attention slip for a second.

9. Machinarium

A tiny robot’s puzzling adventure through a mechanical world

Machinarium takes you into a metallic city full of gears and pipes. You play as a small robot who must repair, climb, and solve tricky puzzles to move ahead. It’s point-and-tap, so you select objects, collect items, and figure out how they interact. The screen often hides clues in plain sight, and objects react in surprising ways when tested. There’s no dialogue at all, yet you instantly understand what’s happening through animated gestures and expressions.

At times, you need to collect pieces, combine them, and trigger sequences that open new routes. There’s also a small built-in hint system for moments when you get stuck. On a phone or tablet, it’s even better since you can tap, drag, and interact directly with the tiny gears and objects around you.

8. Baba Is You

Words shape the rules, and rules change everything

Baba Is You plays like a word puzzle wrapped inside logic. You move small blocks that represent words, and those words define how the world behaves. “Wall is Stop” means you can’t pass through walls, but move the word “Stop” away and suddenly walls mean nothing. You can even rewrite who you are. Switch “Baba is You” with “Rock is You,” and now the rock becomes the controllable character. It’s strange at first but incredibly smart in design. The best part is how simple words completely change how things work around you.

Soon, things get deeper and your brain starts working in new ways. You see words scattered around and start linking them in sequences that rewrite the rules of the level. “Lava is Melt” can become “Lava is Push,” and suddenly that deadly obstacle turns into a useful tool. Nothing happens by chance; everything depends on how you move those blocks. The puzzles build on themselves without ever repeating ideas.

7. Papers, Please

Check documents, spot fakes, and control who gets through

Papers, Please is easily one of the best indie mobile games of all time. It puts you behind a small border counter where people line up to cross into your country. You check passports, permits, and photos to see if they follow the rules. At first, it is simple, but soon more papers pile up, and you must inspect small details fast. Expired dates, mismatched stamps, and fake documents appear one after another. You stamp passports to approve or deny entry. Each decision affects your income and family, so every mistake hurts your pay.

Additionally, every day brings new orders and extra documents to watch for. People arrive with different stories, and some may try to sneak past with forged papers. You look for clues that don’t match the official record. Many times, you face tough moral choices, such as letting someone in against the rules or risking punishment. Altogether, it’s a rare title that turns routine paperwork into an experience that sticks in your mind.

6. Typoman Remastered

A hero made of letters shapes the world with words

Whether you’re into wordplay or puzzles that test your logic, Typoman Remastered offers something special. You control a small hero made of letters who walks through a dark world filled with traps, hazards, and strange word structures. The surroundings constantly challenge you to form or alter words to move forward. For example, forming “LIFT” might raise a platform, while creating “DROP” could open a path. The letters scattered around act as tools, and arranging them correctly determines your next step.

The puzzles often rely on observing how the environment responds to specific words. You might fix a bridge, clear an obstacle, or light up a path using only letters you find nearby. Typoman Remastered turns vocabulary into power and lets imagination solve problems in ways no ordinary puzzle mobile game can match.

5. Limbo

Puzzle-platformer set in a haunting world of logic and traps

So here’s something that instantly catches attention with how simple yet tricky it is. Limbo begins with a small boy waking up in a strange, shadowy place. There are no instructions or hints. You learn through action, like pushing objects or jumping across gaps. Every section introduces something fresh, such as puzzles based on movement, physics, and timing. The whole idea is to figure out how to pass deadly traps and clever obstacles by observing carefully.

Besides that, Limbo has a rhythm that keeps you curious. The puzzles connect so well that one leads naturally to another. You interact with strange machines, use weight and balance to cross dangerous paths, and rely on logic more than speed. Nothing is random; everything has a reason once you notice it. The slow pace helps you focus on details that guide you toward solutions. Even after a decade since its release, it continues to hold a prominent spot on our best indie mobile games list.

4. Is This Seat Taken?

A cozy puzzle about placing people where they truly belong

This indie title quickly gained attention across iOS and Android for its funny and relatable setup. You step into the role of a friendly matchmaker who needs to seat people based on their quirks and habits. Every person has likes and dislikes that affect where they can sit. Some prefer peace, some want chatter, and some have odd rules that can clash with others nearby. To clear a level, you have to match everyone’s preferences without upsetting anyone else.

The challenge builds as each scene introduces fresh faces and awkward situations. You move through spaces like weddings, cinemas, and public transport, always finding ways to seat people so that everyone is comfortable. A perfume lover might ruin the peace of someone sensitive to smell, or a tired traveler might grumble near a loud chatterbox. Basically, you learn patterns through small clues and piece everything together like a social puzzle.

3. Stardew Valley

One of the best indie mobile games of all time

Who knew a quiet countryside could hold so much life and routine? In Stardew Valley, you inherit a run-down farm far from the noise of city life. The town nearby is full of people with their own habits and events. You can build relationships, attend festivals, and trade goods with neighbors who slowly become familiar faces. The world moves with its own rhythm as days shift through seasons. It’s relaxing but never dull, as there’s always something new waiting once you start working the land.

Besides planting crops, there’s plenty more to do. You can fish in rivers, mine deep underground for rare ores, or raise animals that produce resources for trade. The more time you invest, the more the place begins to reflect your decisions. The best part is how free everything feels. You decide what to focus on next, whether it’s expanding your crops, decorating your home, or building relationships with the locals.

2. TABS Pocket Edition

A ridiculous physics-based battle simulator with wobbly warriors everywhere

TABS first became popular on PC and console because of its over-the-top ragdoll battles and unpredictable outcomes. It gained a huge following for its absurd humor and oddly satisfying physics. The Pocket Edition now brings that same madness to Android and iOS with smooth controls and quick setup. You’re dropped into a world where armies made of wobbly soldiers clash across different eras. There are cavemen, archers, samurai, and even strange fantasy units.

Besides the ridiculous battles, the game offers a sandbox mode that gives you complete freedom. You select your fighters, place them on the map, and then sit back as chaos unfolds before you. The ragdoll physics create total mayhem on the field, and the random outcomes make every match unique. TABS Pocket Edition manages to deliver its trademark silliness and tactical mayhem perfectly on mobile.

1. Chants of Sennaar

A mysterious language-based puzzle game about discovery and understanding

The final game on our list of best indie games on iOS and Android is the recently released port of the acclaimed puzzle adventure Chants of Sennaar. The world here is divided by language. Groups live apart because they cannot understand one another. You step into this mysterious place as a lone traveler who tries to reconnect these scattered societies through symbols and dialogue. The art direction uses soft tones and clean shapes to create an ancient vibe.

The core of Chants of Sennaar lies in logic and observation. You decode symbols by linking them with objects, gestures, or reactions from locals. Every solved symbol opens new ways to interact and reach fresh areas. A notebook keeps track of what you interpret and helps you test and refine your guesses. Over time, the patterns grow more complex, yet they always make sense once you see the connection.