Want the Perfect Game for Long-Distance Friendship? Discover How to Easily Play 20 Questions on iPhone

Looking for Fantastically Fun Way to Beat Texting Boredom? Here’s Complete Guide to 20 Questions on iMessage.

Playing games through your phone’s messages is a wonderful way to feel close to friends and family, no matter where they are. One of the best games you can play is 20 Questions. It is a classic guessing game that is simple to learn but offers endless fun. You can test your thinking skills with a series of simple questions to solve a mystery.

The great thing about iMessage games is that you can play them at your own pace. You do not need to finish a whole game in one sitting. You can take your turn whenever you have a spare moment, which is perfect for busy people. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to enjoy 20 Questions directly within your iMessage conversations.

The Classic Game of 20 Questions

The game is built on a very simple idea. One player, the “answerer,” thinks of a secret word. The other player, the “guesser,” tries to figure out that word. The guesser can ask up to 20 questions to identify it. The most important rule is that every question must have a “Yes” or “No” answer. The secret word usually falls into a few main categories, such as a person, a place, an animal, or a thing.

The player who knows the secret word has to answer each question honestly. The guesser must ask clever questions to narrow down the possibilities. For example, a good starting question is very broad, helping to eliminate many options at once. As you get more “Yes” or “No” answers, your next questions should become more specific. This process helps you get closer to the correct answer.

If you think you know the secret word, you can use one of your questions to guess it directly. You might ask, “Is it a fire truck?” If the answer is “Yes,” you win that round. If the answer is “No,” that question is counted, and you must continue asking questions until you either guess correctly or run out of your 20 chances. If the guesser figures out the word in 20 questions or less, they get a point. If they do not, the answerer gets the point.

Why Playing on an iPhone is a Great Idea

Playing 20 Questions on your iPhone has several advantages over simply texting back and forth. The experience is smoother and more organized, making it a much better way to play.

Play on Your Own Time

Life is busy. You and your friend might not be free at the same time. With iMessage games, you can send your question or answer and then put your phone away. Your friend can respond hours later when they have a free moment. The game waits for you.

It Is Already on Your Phone

The game works inside the Messages app, which you likely use every day. You do not have to download a separate app and convince your friends to join it. It is all contained within your existing conversations.

The Game Keeps Track for You

One of the most common issues when playing by text is losing track of how many questions have been asked. The GamePigeon app automatically counts each question. This prevents any confusion or arguments and lets you focus on the fun.

Connect with Anyone

It is a fantastic activity for connecting with friends who live far away. It can also be a fun icebreaker with a new friend or a simple way to pass the time with a family member. It creates a small, shared experience that can brighten your day.

Getting GamePigeon on Your iPhone

To play 20 Questions, you first need to add a free tool called GamePigeon to your iMessage app. GamePigeon is a collection of many fun games you can play with friends. Adding it is simple and only takes a minute.

1. Open your Messages app. You can tap on any existing conversation to get started.
2. Look at the area just above your keyboard. You should see a row of app icons. Find and tap on the gray App Store icon.
3. A new window for the iMessage App Store will open. Look for the search icon, which looks like a small magnifying glass, and tap it.
4. In the search bar, type “GamePigeon” and tap the search button on your keyboard.
5. GamePigeon should appear at the top of the results. It has a logo of a blue pigeon. Tap the “Get” button or the small cloud icon next to it.
6. Your iPhone will download and install GamePigeon. Once it is finished, it will automatically be available for you to use in your Messages app.

Starting Your First Game of 20 Questions

Once GamePigeon is installed, you are ready to challenge a friend. Here is how to start your first game.

1. Stay in the Messages app and open the conversation with the person you want to play with.
2. In the app drawer above your keyboard, swipe left or right until you find the blue GamePigeon icon. Tap on it.
3. A list of all the available games will appear. Scroll through this list until you see “20 Questions” and tap on it.
4. You are the first player, so you are the answerer. You must think of a secret word. Type your word into the text field provided on the screen.
5. After entering your word, tap the “Play” button.
6. The game will be loaded into the message box where you normally type. Just tap the blue send arrow to send the game invitation to your friend. Your friend will receive it as a special message they can tap to begin playing.

Playing the Game: A Turn-by-Turn Guide

The gameplay is designed to be very intuitive. The app guides you through each step, keeping everything clear and organized.

When your friend receives the game invitation, they just have to tap on it to start. It is now their turn to be the guesser. They will type their first question into the game interface and send it to you.

You will receive their question inside the game window. As the answerer, you will see four buttons to respond with.

• Yes: Tap this button if the answer to their question is a definite yes.
• No: Tap this if the answer is a clear no.
• Sometimes: This is a useful and strategic option. You should use it when the answer is not always a simple yes or no. For example, if your secret word is “guitar” and the question is “Is it found in a school?” the answer could be yes or no. In this case, “Sometimes” is the most honest and helpful answer.
• You’ve guessed it!: Only tap this button when your friend’s question is a direct and correct guess of your secret word, such as, “Is it a guitar?”

Choose your answer carefully, because you cannot change it after you tap it. The game continues with this back-and-forth process. The app will display the history of questions and answers, so you can both review them at any time. The game automatically ends when your friend guesses the word or when they have used all 20 questions. At the end, the winner is announced, and the secret word is revealed to ensure fair play.

Winning Strategies for Guesses and Answerers

While 20 Questions is a simple game, a little strategy can make it much more exciting. Whether you are guessing or answering, these tips can help you become a better player.

Tips for Being a Great Guesser

Start with Big Questions 

Your first few questions are the most important for narrowing things down. Avoid asking about small details at the beginning. Your goal is to eliminate huge categories right away. Good starter questions include:

• Is it an object?
• Is it a living thing?
• Is it a specific place?
• Is it bigger than a person?
• Can you buy it in a store?

Use the Funnel Strategy

Think of your questions as a funnel. Your first question is at the wide opening. Every answer you get makes the funnel narrower. If you learn the object is not alive, you have closed off a huge part of the funnel. Each follow-up question should make the path to the answer even narrower until only one possibility remains.

Listen to the Clues

Pay close attention to every answer. If the answerer says the object is not man-made, do not waste a future question asking if it is a car. This sounds obvious, but in the excitement of the game, it is easy to forget previous clues. Always build your next question on the information you have already learned.

Save Your Final Guess

It can be tempting to make a wild guess when you have an idea. However, it is better to be patient. A wrong guess uses up one of your valuable questions. Try to ask one or two more questions to confirm your idea before you pose the final “Is it…?” question.

Tips for Being a Smart Answerer

Pick a Good Word

Your most important job as the answerer is to choose a good secret word. A great word is not too easy but also not impossible.

• Avoid very easy words. Words like “dog,” “house,” or “apple” are often guessed in just a few questions.
• Avoid very hard words. Do not pick an obscure scientific term or a historical figure no one knows unless you are sure your friend will have a fair chance.
• Good examples include: “a library card,” “the Eiffel Tower,” “a toaster,” or “a firefighter’s helmet.” These words describe things that are familiar but have enough unique details to make the game a fun challenge.

Answer Honestly and Fairly

The game is only fun if the answerer is trustworthy. Give a clear “Yes” or “No” whenever possible. The goal is to challenge your friend, not to trick them with confusing answers.

Use “Sometimes” Wisely

The “Sometimes” button adds a fun layer of complexity, but it should be used carefully. Do not use it to avoid giving a straight answer. Use it only when the answer truly is not absolute. It makes the guesser think more deeply, which improves the game for everyone.