Games
Games for couples to play over text
The best texting games for couples are short, take turns and end with a reveal. Ten easy ones: answer then guess, this or that, rate it 1 to 10, rank it, would you rather, two truths and a lie, emoji story of your day, song swap, 20 questions and a photo hunt. Both of you answer first, then compare.
Updated November 3, 2026 by Lyravant
Texting games are good for the in-between times: a slow afternoon at work, the commute home, a week when one of you is traveling, or a long-distance relationship where most of your time together is on a screen.
The trick that makes most of them work is answering before you see the other person's answer. Send yours, wait for theirs, then compare. Where it matters, both send at the same moment, or one of you writes your answer down first so nobody can change it.
The games at a glance
- Answer, then guess (2 players)
- This or that (2 players)
- Rate it 1 to 10 (2 players)
- Rank it (2 players)
- Would you rather (2 players)
- Two truths and a lie (2 players)
- Emoji story of your day (2 players)
- Song swap (2 players)
- 20 questions (2 players)
- Photo hunt (2 players)
1. Answer, then guess
Players: 2 · You need: Nothing
One question, two answers each: what you'd say about yourself, and what you think your partner said. It's the old newlywed game, played one text at a time.
How to play
- Send a question, like "What would you pick for a cozy night in together?"
- Each of you writes down your own answer and your guess for the other, then you both send them.
- One point for each right guess. Both right means you're in sync.
Questions to try
- What would you pick for a cozy night in together?
- Movie marathon
- Board games
- Cooking together
- Building a blanket fort
- When a cooking experiment flops, what do you do?
- Laugh and order takeout
- Eat it anyway
- Try again tomorrow
- Call it a new recipe
- Which would mean the most to you on a busy week?
- Kind words
- A chore handled
- A surprise treat
- Undivided time
2. This or that
Players: 2 · You need: Nothing
Rapid-fire pairs with no thinking time: coffee or tea, beach or mountains, call or text. Ten in a row, then compare how many you matched.
How to play
- One of you sends ten pairs in one message.
- Both reply with your picks (A or B for each), sent at the same time.
- Count the matches. Then argue about the ones you didn't.
3. Rate it 1 to 10
Players: 2 · You need: Nothing
A question about one of you on a scale of 1 to 10. They give their real number, the other guesses. Being one away still counts as a win.
How to play
- Send the question with a label at each end of the scale.
- The person it's about writes their number down; the other guesses.
- Exact or one away is a point. Then explain yourselves.
Questions to try
- How likely are you to steal a fry from your partner's plate?
- 1: Never
- 10: Every single time
- How competitive do you get on game night together?
- 1: Just for fun
- 10: Must win
- How likely are you to doze off during movie night?
- 1: Never
- 10: Out in 10 minutes
4. Rank it
Players: 2 · You need: Nothing
Four options, ranked favorite first. Rank them for yourself and guess your partner's order. Getting the exact order is rare; getting the top pick right still counts.
How to play
- Send four options, like date-night ideas or slow Sunday plans.
- Each of you sends your own ranking and your guess of the other's.
- Two points for the exact order, one point for the right top pick.
Questions to try
- Rank these slow Sunday plans, favorite first.
- Sleeping in
- Brunch out
- Movie marathon
- Long walk
- Rank these at-home date themes, favorite first.
- Fake fancy restaurant
- Blanket fort movies
- Backyard stargazing
- Homemade pizza contest
5. Would you rather
Players: 2 · You need: Nothing
Two choices, both a little ridiculous or both tempting. Guess which one your partner picks before they answer.
How to play
- Send one, and both answer at the same time.
- Take turns asking. The best ones start a ten-minute debate.
Our would you rather list has 44 clean ones to start with. See the list.
6. Two truths and a lie
Players: 2 · You need: Nothing
Three statements about yourself, one made up. It works years into a relationship too: there is always a childhood story they haven't heard.
How to play
- Send three statements, two true and one invented.
- Your partner guesses the lie. Then tell the story behind the truths.
7. Emoji story of your day
Players: 2 · You need: Nothing
Describe your day in five emoji, no words. Your partner guesses what happened, then you tell the real version.
How to play
- Send exactly five emoji, in order.
- Your partner replies with their best guess at the story.
- Fill in what really happened.
8. Song swap
Players: 2 · You need: A music app
One prompt, one song each: a song that sounds like your week, a song for a road trip together, a song you'd want at your party. Guess why they picked it.
How to play
- One of you sends the prompt.
- Both send a song link without explaining it.
- Each guesses why the other picked their song.
9. 20 questions
Players: 2 · You need: Nothing
Think of something you both know (a place you've been, a friend's dog, a shared meal) and your partner gets 20 yes-or-no questions to work it out.
How to play
- Keep it to shared memories and it doubles as a trip down memory lane.
- Number the questions so you both keep count.
10. Photo hunt
Players: 2 · You need: A phone camera
Send each other a list of three things to find and photograph today: something heart-shaped, something that reminds you of them, the best snack nearby.
How to play
- Swap lists in the morning.
- Send the photos as you find them during the day.
- Whoever finishes first picks dinner, or the next movie.
Questions for the answer-then-guess game
Each of you answers for yourself, then guesses the other's answer.
- What would you name a playlist made for the two of you?
- Something sweet
- An inside joke
- A silly pun
- Just our two names
- What's your favorite kind of surprise?
- A handwritten note
- A small gift
- A planned outing
- A favorite snack
- How would you react to a surprise birthday party?
- Thrilled
- Happy but shy
- I'd rather know
- I'd want to plan it
- How would you love to celebrate an anniversary?
- A trip away
- A cozy night in
- A big day out
- Recreating a memory
- What do you do when your partner travels without you?
- Text all day
- Plan a welcome home
- Video call at night
- Enjoy some alone time
- If you two fostered an animal, which would you choose?
- A senior dog
- A pair of kittens
- A bunny
- A tiny hedgehog
- Where would you hide a love note for your partner?
- In a lunch bag
- Under a pillow
- In a coat pocket
- On the bathroom mirror
- What dish would you most want to master together?
- Fresh pasta
- Homemade sushi
- Perfect bread
- Fancy layered cake
- How willing are you to share your dessert, from 1 to 10?
- 1: Hands off
- 10: Shares it all
- How well do you remember the details of your first date, from 1 to 10?
- 1: Pretty fuzzy
- 10: Every tiny detail
- Rank these someday adventures, most exciting first.
- Hot air balloon ride
- Learning to sail
- Living abroad a year
- Cross-country drive
- Rank these little things, most appreciated first.
- A good-morning text
- Coffee made for you
- A kind word
- A walk together
Where does Deja Who fit?
The answer-then-guess game is what Deja Who's couples mode does, one question a day. You both answer about yourselves, then guess each other, and the answers stay hidden until you've both played or the reveal hour arrives. Over time it counts how often you're in sync. It uses multiple choice, ranking and 1-to-10 questions from a couples pack, and you can switch in the everyday, holiday or road trip packs.
It's free, needs no account, and plays in any phone browser from one link you send your partner. It suits long-distance couples too, since the reveal time shows in each of your own time zones.
Turn these into a daily game
Deja Who asks the two of you one of these a day. One person answers, everyone else guesses or writes a fake answer to fool the others, and the reveal shows who knows you best. Free, in any phone browser, no app or account.
Play as a couple Try a sample roundQuestions people ask
What games can couples play over text?
Answer then guess, this or that, rate it 1 to 10, rank it, would you rather, two truths and a lie, an emoji story of your day, song swaps, 20 questions and a photo hunt. All of them need nothing but your phones.
How do you play the newlywed game over text?
Pick a question, then each of you writes your own answer and your guess for your partner before sending. Send at the same time, compare, and score a point for every right guess. Deja Who's couples mode runs this with one question a day.
Are these games good for long-distance couples?
Yes. Every game here works over text, and the answer-then-guess game is a small daily ritual when you can't be together. There are more ideas in our long-distance games guide.
Are the questions too personal for a new relationship?
No. They're about habits, food, plans and small preferences, with nothing about exes, money or anything intimate, so they work in the first month as well as the tenth year.