Best Pokemon Mobile Games & Apps, Ranked

Pokemon franchise has captivated the minds and hearts of several generations. The international franchise can be seen on hundreds of mobile phones across the world. Plenty of fans have installed a number of apps that feature Pokemon to entertain them during their day. These mobile games and apps have been downloaded millions of times since the release of the original TV series.

Fans of the Pokemon series are currently taking part in the 2024 Pokemon events in Japan. Pokemon GO, Pokemon UNITE, and Pokemon TCG are a few of the biggest mobile gaming titles involved in these events. Take a look at the best Pokemon mobile games and apps available for smartphones.

Updated December 4, 2024, by Hamza Haq: Pokemon fans have long given up on getting the chance to play a proper mainline Pokemon game on mobile as long as Nintendo is in charge. But there are plenty of other options for fans of the franchise looking for mobile apps and games about Pokemon. With the massive success of Pokemon GO and to a lesser extent Pokemon UNITE, the developers felt ready to put more of their eggs in this basket in the form of a mobile rendition of the popular Pokemon Trading Card Game, two of them, in fact. The list has been updated with two new Pokemon games on mobile: Pokemon TCG Live and Pokemon TCG Pocket.

14 Pokemon TCG Live

Reviews: 37,682 / Score: 2.2

Pokemon TCG Live offers players a chance to practice the physical Pokemon Trading Card Game in a digital format, both as a means for understanding the rules of the game and for getting familiar with the proper strategies and synergies a properly built deck of Pokemon Cards is supposed to have.

New Pokemon cards can be obtained by unwrapping packs that can be obtained using the in-game currency. Battles can be fought casually to test out decks or in a ranked format where equally skilled players are pitted against one another through a proper matchmaking system.

13 Pokemon Playhouse

Reviews: 32,700 / Score: 3.1

• Release Date: September 21, 2017
• Developer: The Pokemon Company
• Platforms: Android and iOS

Pokemon Playhouse is a kids game meant to introduce children to the world of Pokemon in the form of educational content that helps develop their motor skills. The game features multiple small mini-games players can partake in, with no real way of “losing.” Players can groom Pokemon using brushes to straighten their hair, a sponge to clean dirt off, or apply a bandage if they’re hurt, and more. The visuals help identify what the problem with each Pokemon is, allowing kids to learn by doing.

Feeding is a visual learning mini-game that works by showing the players which berry a Pokemon prefers before the timer starts and then giving each Pokemon the type of berry they like from a plate on a conveyor belt as it moves across the screen. There is also a connect-the-dots mini-game that reveals the figure of a Pokemon, reminiscent of the ‘Who’s that Pokemon?’ segment from the original TV show. As a reward for completing these mini-games, a new egg hatches, introducing a new Pokemon to the Playhouse.

12 DataDex

Reviews: 43,300 / Score: 4.3

• Release Date: October 14, 2016
• Developer: TalZz
• Platforms: Android

DataDex is a portable Pokedex that can be used by people of all ages. The digital Pokedex has updated information on Pokemon, including the Scarlet & Violet generation. It has multi-language support, providing details on Pokemon for native speakers in English, Italian, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Hebrew.

Pokemon Trainers can search through the dataDex to find dozens of Pokemon. It has a range of filters to narrow down searches to access information on different kinds of Pokemon in an instant. DataDex has a Team Builder to help people create their Pokemon dream team. Pokemon from 7 generations are listed on the dataDex, enabling people to find any Pokemon on one app. It also displays the best type of Pokemon that Trainers can play to win against stronger opponents.

11 Pokemon Smile

Reviews: 16,700 / Score: 4.3

Pokemon Smile is a kid-friendly app that helps children brush their teeth. It uses the smartphone’s camera to scan for plaque in the mouth while brushing. Kids can rescue various types of Pokemon found inside their mouth after brushing their teeth in the morning with Pokemon Smile.

The children’s education app is available on Android and iOS. It encourages kids to brush their teeth daily to brighten their smiles. Pokemon Smile rewards children with decorative Pokemon Caps that can be placed on their heads to take fun photos with the family. Unlike Pokemon GO, people can only play Pokemon Smile in their bathrooms, limiting its usability. Children need an adult around them to brush their teeth safely on the app to avoid mishaps. Pokemon walking around the jawline can easily flee, drastically decreasing the amount of Pokemon that Trainers can catch on Pokemon Smile.

10 Pokemon Sleep

Reviews: 52,600 / Score: 4.5

Pokemon Sleep is a sleep tracking app incentivizing users to sleep longer and better in order to unlock new ‘Sleep styles,’ a mechanic unique to this app. Each time a user sleeps, the app tries to match the nature of the sleep with a ‘Sleep Style’ of a Pokemon. For example, if a night was particularly restful, users may be greeted with a ‘Squirtle Sheltered Sleep’ which is a Slumbering Sleep style, but if there were lots of tossing and turning, they’d likely get a ‘Primeape Angry Sleep,’ which is a Dozing Sleep style.

Players start with a small group of Pokemon in the app, and new Pokemon are unlocked as users use the app and achieve certain milestones. Achieving a high sleep score increases the chance of receiving a shiny or rare Pokemon. The sleep score is determined by the quality of the sleep cycle and how much Snorlax, the mascot of the app, is fed during the day.

9 Pokemon HOME

Reviews: 113,600 / Score: 3.8

• Release Date: February 12, 2020
• Developer: Game Freak
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android

Pokemon HOME is a mobile app that makes it easy to store and trade Pokemon from various games. Pokemon Trainers can view their entire collection of Pokemon that they’ve caught and trained over the years in Pokemon HOME. It supports a number of game titles, including Pokemon Scarlet, Pokemon Violet, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond, Pokemon Sword, Pokemon Shield, and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!

Players can trade their Pokemon at any time using Pokemon HOME. Setting different parameters to trade Pokemon can be simple and fast with the app. Research Tasks can be completed on Pokemon HOME based on specific regions like Kanto and Johto. The Premium plan for Pokemon Home allows people to store up to 6,000 Pokemon.

8 Pokemon Cafe ReMix

Reviews: 193,400 / Score: 4.7

Pokemon Cafe ReMix lets players craft their own drinks and dishes to please their guests. Befriend a number of Pokemon and use their special abilities to solve puzzles at the Pokemon Cafe. Players can increase the items available at the Pokemon Cafe by completing the puzzles to acquire new ingredients for their recipes.

Eevee is among the first Pokemon people can train in Pokemon Cafe ReMix. It has tons of gameplay to help players upgrade their recipes for their customers. Unlock events and outfits to entice customers into the Pokemon Cafe ReMix with delicious dishes. Evolved Pokemon are fun to watch on the app as they serve food instead of dashing at other Pokemon to win battles.

7 Pokemon Quest

Reviews: 213,500 / Score: 4.2

Pokemon Quest is an action RPG that takes place on Tumblecube Island. The game design makes it unique to the eyes of gamers, with cube-like Pokemon popping up around the map. People will find that these charming Pokemon are irresistible.

Expeditions within Pokemon Quest provide a variety of items. These items can be used to cook scrumptious food at the base. Food items prepared in the app can be consumed with Pokemon in a team and attract wild Pokemon in the game. However, Pokemon can use up to 2 moves during battles, decreasing the attacks available to defeat enemies.

6 Pokemon Shuffle Mobile

Reviews: 308,000 / Score: 4.3

Pokemon Shuffle Mobile combines the most exciting features of Pokemon with puzzle games. Mobile gamers can line up Pokemon and destroy them with their moves to clear the stage. There are over 150 Pokemon that can be found in the wild. Fight and catch all 150 Pokemon by dealing an enormous amount of damage.

The mobile app adds a number of stages regularly into the game. People can easily encounter Pokemon like Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur in Pokemon Shuffle Mobile to win battles. Watching the cute heads of Pokemon explode on screen can be immensely satisfying compared to other Pokemon games on smartphones. Unique combos can be created using different Pokemon to beat rare Pokemon in special stages, making Pokemon Shuffle Mobile a highly-rated app among fans of the franchise.

5 Pokemon: Magikarp Jump

Reviews: 511,000 / Score: 4.7

Pokemon: Magikarp Jump is a dedicated game featuring Magikarp, the most docile Pokemon in the wild. Many people like Magikarp for its humble nature and its simple attack patterns, as well as its ability to evolve into the powerful Gyarados.

Food is easily found in the mobile game, allowing people to sustain the growth of their Magikarps. There are several colorful Magikarps found in Pokemon: Magikarp Jump, making the game exciting. Rare Magikarps can be caught within hours of starting a new game. The leagues available in Pokemon: Magikarp Jump are worth trying for their sheer sense of astonishment. Custom items and decorations in the mobile app can amaze seasoned Pokemon Trainers.

4 Pokemon Masters EX

Reviews: 510,000 / Score: 4.3

• Release Date: August 28, 2019
• Developer: Dena Co.
• Platforms: Android and iOS

Battle Pokemon trainers from various Pokemon titles in Pokemon Masters EX. Players can challenge a gamut of memorable characters from the franchise to level up their Pokemon in the game. These Pokemon trainers and their partners in Pokemon Masters EX are tough to defeat while roaming the island of Pasio.

The Pokemon Masters League tournament is being held on Pasio, giving players a chance to claim glory for themselves. Enjoy 3v3 battles in Pokemon Masters Ex to fight with legends like Red, Blue, Misty, and Brock. Regular rewards and training events have been key aspects of Pokemon Masters Ex over the past few years.

3 Pokemon UNITE

Reviews: 1,630,000 / Score: 4.5

Pokemon UNITE is a spectacular mobile game that lets players fight 5v5 battles. Enthusiastic trainers can level up their Pokemon and evolve them to crush their enemies before the time runs out in Pokemon UNITE. Each Pokemon in battles can knock out their opponents to collect Aeos, the energy in the game, to score more points for their team.

There are plenty of items in Pokemon UNITE that can turn fights into fantastic battles. Pokemon trainers can use battle items, held items, and boost emblems to increase the effectiveness of the attacks of their Pokemon. Held items in the mobile game can help Pokemon recover health during fights to sustain loads of damage from their foes. Fighting Zapdos in the final moments of a match can provide a burst of Aeos to motivate the team.

2 Pokemon GO

Reviews: 15,400,000 / Score: 4.0

Pokemon GO has been downloaded more than 100 million times on mobile devices. Join friends online on smartphones to discover Pokemon across major locations in every city. Activities like walking around the city in Pokemon GO can be used to hatch eggs in the game.

Take part in action-packed Gym battles and Battle Leagues to earn robust rewards in Pokemon GO. A combination of fast attacks and charged attacks with the Pokemon can derail opponents within seconds of starting a match. Dealing critical damage in battles with a variety of Pokemon in the game can be thrilling on mobile devices, making Pokemon GO the best app on mobile for Pokemon fanatics.

1 Pokemon TCG Pocket

Reviews: 905,460 / Score: 4.6

Pokemon TCG Pocket is a reimagining of the Pokemon Trading Card Game on mobile platforms, meant to introduce new players who aren’t familiar with the Pokemon TCG scene to enter on equal footing with the veterans. While the broad strokes of the game remain the same; it’s turn-based and uses Pokemon Cards for battle purposes, the details have been simplified in order to make learning it easier for new players.

The main difference between Pokemon TCG Pocket and Pokemon TCG Live is the fact that they use different rules for the actual battles. Deck size is reduced from 60 to 20 to facilitate faster games and Energy Card requirements for using moves are streamlined. Pocket also offers players two free booster packs every day, which allows even F2P players a chance to build decent decks without spending money on microtransactions.