5 Games Like Jackbox That Use a Phone Connection to Play

If you want games like Jackbox that use your phone, you probably want options that start quickly, keep everyone entertained, and avoid complicated setups. I tried out every major contender and found 5 that deliver the same social, accessible fun Jackbox pioneered.

Best games like Jackbox to play on a phone: At a glance

1. Weekend

What it does: Your smart TV becomes an interactive, voice‑powered gaming system that everyone controls from their phone (or remote). The Weekend app includes titles like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.

Best for: Hosts who want to turn their living room into a lively game show without extra controllers or downloads.

I use Weekend whenever I host a mixed crowd because it has something for everyone. You can open the Weekend app on your smart TV, grab a phone, and scan the on-screen QR code to connect.

Everyone else opens the Weekend link or app on their phones and joins in. The TV displays the main screen, and our phones act as microphones. We call out answers, shout guesses, and the app hears every word.

It's both a natural and social experience that's more enjoyable the longer you play together.

How to use the app with your smart TV

1. Open the app store on your TV (Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, LG) and install Weekend.
2. Launch the app and choose a featured game such as Jeopardy! or Song Quiz.
3. Make sure your phone connects to the same Wi‑Fi network as the TV.
4. Open the Weekend app on your phone or scan the on‑screen QR code.
5. Wait a few seconds while the devices sync, then follow prompts on your phone. You can now shout, speak, or tap when the game asks for answers.

Key features

• Popular games like Jeopardy!, Song Quiz, Wheel of Fortune, and Guess the Emoji offer memorable fun for all ages.
• Voice recognition hears answers through your phone’s microphone.
• Works directly on Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, and LG TVs using the same Wi‑Fi.
• Real‑time visuals on the TV show scores, clues, and reactions as the round changes.

Pros

• Works across most smartphones regardless of brand.
• Offers games that feel familiar but more interactive than typing‑based apps.
• Keeps guests engaged by letting them talk and react naturally during play.

Cons

• Trivia‑centric game library may not appeal to groups seeking drawing or storytelling.

Pricing

Weekend offers a 7-day free trial to the full gaming lineup. A $12.99/month subscription keeps the party going with the full trivia and quiz collection once the trial ends.

Bottom line

Weekend delivers the best modern version of phone‑based party gaming. It eliminates confusion, embraces social interaction through voice control, and lets everyone join in seconds.

If you want to fill your living room with laughter without controllers or confusing links, Weekend stands out as the best choice.

2. Use Your Words

What it does: Turns short video clips and prompts into fill‑in‑the‑blank comedy contests.

Best for: Friends who enjoy writing clever jokes without worrying about complicated rules.

My group uses this game to warm up before heavier titles. Each player types a funny caption or punchline on their phone, then everyone votes for a favorite. The simple format encourages humor without pressuring anyone to compete seriously.

Key features

• Browser‑based, no installation required.
• Filter options for all audiences.
• Includes multiple rounds and video prompt variations.

Pros

• Easy for guests of all ages to understand.
• Generates consistent laughter with short play sessions.
• No technical setup delays.

Cons

• Visual design looks dated on modern TVs.
• Offers limited replay value compared to larger game libraries.

Pricing

$14.99 on digital marketplaces such as Steam or console stores.

Bottom line

Use Your Words provides quick humor and friendly competition for small parties. It runs simply, reliably, and lets new players dive in without confusion.

3. AirConsole

What it does: Runs a large online catalog of mini games where your phone becomes the controller.

Best for: Hosts who want a broad selection of casual games without installing multiple apps.

I use AirConsole for spontaneous nights when nobody wants to commit to one game. You open the website or app on your TV or computer, share the connection code, and everyone scans it to join instantly.

Key features

• Over 140 quick party and arcade games.
• Connection through a simple QR code.
• Cross‑device support for phones, tablets, and computers.

Pros

• Offers wide game variety.
• Lets players enter quickly from any phone.
• Works well with both small and big groups.

Cons

• Not every game feels polished.
• Internet speed can affect responsiveness.

Pricing

Free tier with premium subscription for $4.99 per month.

Bottom line

AirConsole makes short play sessions easy. It suits mixed groups that want variety more than structured gameplay.

4. Among Us

What it does: Turns players into spaceship crewmates who must uncover hidden impostors before time runs out.

Best for: Groups that enjoy lively debate and social deduction.

Among Us remains one of the simplest ways to bring energy to online or in‑person sessions. Everyone connects through their phone, joins a private room, and starts accusing and defending within minutes.

Key features

• Private lobbies for up to fifteen players.
• Cross‑platform and mobile compatible.
• Quick matches that keep rounds short.

Pros

• Free mobile access for easy participation.
• Mixes chaos and strategy in equal measure.
• Encourages constant interaction.

Cons

• Limited to one main gameplay mode.
• New players sometimes need help understanding tasks and mechanics.

Pricing

Free for mobile users and roughly $5 on other platforms.

Bottom line

Among Us adds tension and laughter to any online hangout. It remains simple enough for casual groups and engaging enough for returning players.

5. Spaceteam

What it does: Everyone’s phone becomes a chaotic control panel that asks the group to shout instructions and tap buttons to keep a spaceship running.

Best for: Loud groups who want pure chaos, shouting, and physical engagement rather than quiet thinking.

When I introduce Spaceteam, I ask everyone to install the app, join the same room, and hold their phones up. Each phone shows different controls and nonsense terms.

The game throws out instructions, and players shout them to whoever has the correct panel. Everyone tries to keep up, and the ship explodes when the team fails.

Key features

• Uses phones exclusively, no TV required, although casting helps visibility.
• Randomizes panels and instructions each round.
• Encourages yelling, laughing, and fast reactions.

Pros

• Turns phones into props rather than distractions.
• Requires no central console or additional hardware.
• Creates memorable, high‑energy moments very quickly.

Cons

• Works poorly in quiet or crowded venues that limit noise.
• Interface and nonsense terms can overwhelm very casual players at first.

Pricing

Spaceteam offers a free version with in‑app purchases that add expansions and extra content.

Bottom line

Spaceteam gives you a Jackbox‑like sense of shared panic through phones, but it replaces scoring and prompts with raw, shouted cooperation. It suits groups that do not mind getting loud and a little ridiculous.

Which game should you choose?

Weekend fits most living room setups better than any other option. It connects your phone to your smart TV, listens to your voice, and gets the ball rolling quickly.

Use Your Words suits laid‑back humor sessions, while AirConsole offers flexibility. Among Us keeps remote nights unpredictable, whereas Spaceteam feels more niche.

Ditch the phone (or don't) with Weekend

Weekend is the smart upgrade to games like Jackbox that use a phone. Though we go a bit further and provide a smart TV experience on top of it. You can choose to use your phone as a mic or simply opt to use the one built into your smart TV remote.

No need for extra hardware, boxes, cards, or tiny scorepads. Instead, Weekend turns your smart TV into a shared trivia and party hub for the whole room. Everyone locks into one screen, one set of jokes, and one big shared experience.

We build the best party games inside Weekend to keep people talking, guessing, and roasting each other in real time. You spend less energy explaining rules and more of the night locked in friendly rivalries, surprise wins, and epic moments.

With Weekend on your TV, you can:

• Play Jeopardy! and see which friend actually remembers all those random facts they swear they know.
• Try Song Quiz and race to name each track from quick music snippets across decades and genres.
• Play Wit's End for the imagination of a tabletop RPG without the prep, the rulebooks, or the complex setup.
• Spin through Wheel of Fortune (on Roku) and crack word puzzles together while the whole room shouts letters and guesses.
• Guess the Emoji (on Roku) and tackle bite‑sized visual puzzles that turn emojis into inside jokes.
• Jump into Karaoke (on Roku) and belt out your favorites while the lyrics roll across the screen.
• Guess the secret person, place, or object with yes-or-no questions in 20 Questions (on Roku).

Grab the Weekend app on Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, and LG TV, then kick things off with a 7‑day free trial. Once it's running, your living room becomes the “cool” spot with a fresher, more social feel than anything you would pull off a shelf.

FAQs

What is the best Jackbox‑style party game right now?

The best Jackbox‑style party game right now is Weekend. It runs on your smart TV, connects to phones easily, and uses your voice in games like Jeopardy! and Song Quiz (Roku, Samsung, Fire TV, LG).

Do I need controllers or extra hardware?

No, you do not need controllers or extra hardware. Your TV runs the Weekend app, and everyone uses their phone or the remote. It's made my game nights much easier to start and manage.

How do I connect my phone to Weekend?

You connect your phone by joining the same Wi‑Fi as your TV, opening the Weekend app on your phone, and scanning or entering the code on the TV. I usually do this when I have no idea where I left the remote and desperately need a Jeopardy! session.

Can I play without paying for extra packs?

Yes, you can play without paying for extra packs since Weekend includes all its games in the same subscription. The app itself is free to download, and you can grab a 7-day free trial before making any commitment.

How do I get Weekend on my smart TV?

You get Weekend by opening your TV’s app store, searching “Weekend,” and installing it. You can then launch a game like Song Quiz, and invite a few friends over to get the competition started.