Games to play with your long-distance partner.
The hardest part of distance isn't the miles, it's the calls that turn into status updates. A game gives the two of you something to do together, so the conversation takes care of itself. Here are games for a video call tonight, games for when your time zones don't line up, and where an app helps.
On a video call tonight (no app needed)
Prop your phone up, get comfortable, and play one of these. Each takes five to twenty minutes.
- Two truths and a lie, today edition: tell three things that happened today, one of them invented. Your partner gets one guess.
- Room scavenger hunt: take turns calling out "something blue", "something older than you", "something that smells good". First one back on camera wins the point.
- Blind portrait: set a two-minute timer and draw each other without looking down at the paper. Hold them up at the same time.
- Cook-along: pick one simple recipe you both have the ingredients for, cook it on camera at the same time, then rate each other's plate out of ten.
- Hum that tune: hum three seconds of a song you both know. Two wrong guesses and the hummer scores.
- Would you rather, speed round: sixty seconds of questions, answers only, no explaining until the timer ends.
- Watch-party bingo: before a film, each of you writes a five-square bingo card for the other ("someone says 'we need to talk'"). First line wins.
- Twenty questions, room rules: the answer has to be an object in the other person's room right now.
When your time zones don't line up (play by text)
Turn-based games are the long-distance couple's secret weapon: nobody has to be awake at the same time.
- One-word story: each message adds exactly one word. Read the whole story back at the end of the week.
- Close-up riddle: send an extreme close-up photo of something in your home. They get three guesses.
- Daily this-or-that: send one either/or question a day and guess your partner's answer before they reply.
- Emoji film club: describe a film using only emoji. Points for guessing it in one.
- The someday list: take turns adding one thing you'll do when you're finally in the same place. No repeats allowed.
- Guess my morning: before they wake up, write down three guesses about their day. Compare notes at their bedtime.
Ten games for two in Duetto — live or send a turn
When you want a scoreboard: every Duetto game is built for exactly two players. Play live on two phones at the same time, or take your turn now and Duetto nudges your partner when it's their move.
- Tic-Tac-Two
- Mind Meld
- This or That
- Know-You Duel
- Sketch & Guess
- Tandem Draw
- Tap Duel
- Memory Pairs
- Word Volley
- Twenty Questions
Ten games. Two players. No one else.
Ten games made for exactly two players — same couch or an ocean apart.
Keep exploring
More free guides: Close, even from far · Games made for exactly two · Couple game night ideas for exactly two
Questions, answered.
What games can long-distance couples play?
The best ones give you something to do together rather than something to report: guessing games, drawing games, quick quizzes about each other, and anything turn-based you can pick up between work and sleep. Video-call games suit evenings you overlap; text and turn-based games suit the days you don't.
How do you play games with a partner in a different time zone?
Use turn-based games. Make your move when it suits you and let your partner answer when they wake up. In Duetto, send-a-turn mode does this for all its games and nudges your partner when it's their move.
What can we play over FaceTime?
Twenty questions, would you rather, a room scavenger hunt, blind portraits, cook-alongs and watch-party bingo all work on any video call with nothing to install.
Is Duetto free for long-distance couples?
It's free to start: three online games a day, your last five results and solo practice, forever. Duetto Pro unlocks every game and unlimited play, and one purchase covers both partners while you're paired.