Looking for the best idle games to play on your phone? You’re not alone. Idle games, also known as clicker or incremental games, have exploded in popularity because they’re simple, satisfying, and perfect for short bursts of play – or letting the game do the work while you sit back.
Whether you want to manage a virtual empire, hatch monsters, or collect gold while offline, there’s an idle game out there that’s ridiculously addictive.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the most popular idle games on mobile right now. These are the ones that consistently rack up downloads, keep players coming back, and actually feel rewarding to play—without needing your constant attention.
Want to explore more genres? Check out these lists:
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- Best Mobile Gacha Games
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- Top Puzzle Games
- Best VR Games
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- Best Offline Games
1. AFK Journey
Genre: Fantasy RPG
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
AFK Journey is the sequel to AFK Arena, expanding its idle RPG roots with an open world, deeper storylines, and strategic battles set in the magical realm of Esperia.
Gameplay
You collect heroes, build balanced teams, and send them on quests. Battles play out automatically, both online and offline, with tactical positioning playing a key role in tough encounters.
Why It’s Great
Beautiful art, voice-acted story scenes, and polished UI make it stand out. It keeps you engaged with light interaction while rewarding you with constant idle progress.
Monetization
Free-to-play with optional purchases for hero summons, cosmetics, and VIP systems. Doesn’t require heavy spending to progress.
2. Egg, Inc.
Genre: Idle Clicker / Simulation
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
A futuristic chicken farm sim that blends simple tap-based mechanics with deep systems like research trees, epic upgrades, and prestige resets.
Gameplay
Tap to hatch chickens, build coops, ship eggs, and invest in tech to increase profits. The longer you play, the more layers of automation and strategy you unlock.
Why It’s Great
It’s relaxing, oddly satisfying, and perfect for both quick sessions and long-term play. The art style and visuals are smooth and cartoony without being overdone.
Monetization
Optional ad boosts and in-app purchases. One of the most generous idle games for free players.
3. Clicker Heroes
Genre: Idle RPG / Clicker
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
An iconic idle game that laid the groundwork for many RPG-style clickers. You slay monsters, upgrade heroes, and earn powerful resets (ascensions).
Gameplay
Click to deal damage early on, then automate battles through hired heroes. Each run gives you Hero Souls, used for permanent upgrades in future playthroughs.
Why It’s Great
It’s simple to understand, deeply satisfying to optimize, and full of numbers that keep getting bigger. Pure idle bliss.
Monetization
Optional convenience purchases—completely playable without spending.
4. AdVenture Capitalist
Genre: Business Simulation / Idle Tycoon
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
A humorous idle business simulator where you start with a lemonade stand and end up ruling Earth, the Moon, and Mars.
Gameplay
Tap to earn, buy managers for automation, and grow your income exponentially. Prestiging gives you angel investors who make each run faster.
Why It’s Great
Slick design, tongue-in-cheek writing, and a steady stream of upgrades keep it addictive. A classic of the genre.
Monetization
Aggressive with ads and IAPs, but nothing is strictly pay-to-win.
5. Cookie Clicker
Genre: Incremental Clicker
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
The granddaddy of idle games. You start with a single cookie and grow into a cookie-producing multiverse of absurdity.
Gameplay
Tap to bake, then automate production with grandmas, factories, and portals. Huge upgrade trees and prestige mechanics unlock deeper layers over time.
Why It’s Great
Witty, weird, and endlessly rewarding. It’s a clicker that knows it’s ridiculous—and leans into it.
Monetization
Minimal—ads are optional, and the mobile version stays true to the original’s design.
6. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
Genre: Strategy RPG
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
An officially licensed Dungeons & Dragons idle game featuring characters from the Forgotten Realms, with deep party composition and strategy mechanics.
Gameplay
Assemble a team of champions with synergies, place them in optimal formations, and tackle increasingly tough enemies. Regular live events add variety.
Why It’s Great
More tactical depth than most idle games. Appeals to both RPG lovers and fans of incremental progress.
Monetization
Free-to-play with IAPs for cosmetics and loot chests. Rewards patient players who participate in time-limited events.
7. Idle Miner Tycoon
Genre: Business Simulation / Idle Tycoon
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
One of the most downloaded idle games globally, Idle Miner Tycoon lets you manage a mining empire across multiple industries.
Gameplay
Hire managers, automate mining operations, and upgrade your facilities to maximize profits. The game features over 20 mines, each with unique resources and challenges.
Why It’s Great
Offers a satisfying progression system with colorful graphics and engaging mechanics. Regular events and updates keep the gameplay fresh.
Monetization
Free-to-play with in-app purchases for boosts and premium currency. Ads are optional and provide in-game rewards.
8. Legend of Mushroom
Genre: Idle RPG
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
A charming idle RPG where you guide a band of tiny fungi heroes through lush forests and dark caverns, battling foes and gathering resources.
Gameplay
Collect and upgrade mushroom heroes, each with unique abilities. Engage in auto-battles and explore various environments.
Why It’s Great
Simple yet addictive gameplay loop with adorable visuals. The game has surpassed 30 million downloads worldwide, indicating its popularity.
Monetization
Free-to-play with in-app purchases for hero summons and cosmetics. Progression is fair for free players.
9. Cell to Singularity
Genre: Educational / Incremental
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
An educational idle game that takes you through the evolution of life, from single-celled organisms to complex civilizations.
Gameplay
Tap to generate entropy, which is used to unlock evolutionary milestones. Explore scientific concepts through interactive simulations and events.
Why It’s Great
Combines learning with idle mechanics, making science accessible and fun. Regular updates introduce new content and exploration events.
Monetization
Free-to-play with optional in-app purchases for boosts and premium content. Ads are optional and provide in-game rewards.
10. Tap Titans 2
Genre: Idle Clicker / RPG
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
A fast-paced idle clicker where you tap to defeat titans and collect gold to upgrade your heroes and equipment.
Gameplay
Engage in tap-based battles, hire heroes, and unlock powerful skills. Participate in tournaments and clan battles for additional rewards.
Why It’s Great
Offers a blend of active and idle gameplay with a vast array of content, including over 70,000 levels and various events.
Monetization
Free-to-play with in-app purchases for diamonds and equipment. Ads are optional and provide in-game benefits.
11. AdVenture Communist
Genre: Satirical Idle Simulation
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
A humorous take on the idle genre, where you manage a communist state by producing resources like potatoes and propaganda.
Gameplay
Automate production across various industries, unlock new sectors, and collect comrades to boost efficiency. Engage in missions and events for additional rewards.
Why It’s Great
Offers a unique and satirical perspective on resource management, with engaging mechanics and regular updates.
Monetization
Free-to-play with in-app purchases for boosts and premium currency. Ads are optional and provide in-game rewards.
12. Bitcoin Billionaire
Genre: Idle Clicker / Simulation
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
A retro-styled idle clicker where you start as a poor miner and aim to become a Bitcoin billionaire by tapping and upgrading your setup.
Gameplay
Tap to mine virtual bitcoins, invest in upgrades, and customize your office. Encounter random events and unlock achievements as you progress.
Why It’s Great
Combines nostalgic pixel art with addictive gameplay and a humorous take on cryptocurrency mining.
Monetization
Free-to-play with in-app purchases for boosts and premium currency. Ads are optional and provide in-game rewards.
13. Melvor Idle
Genre: Idle RPG / Skill Simulator
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
Melvor Idle is a comprehensive idle RPG inspired by classic MMORPGs. It offers a wide range of skills to train, including combat, crafting, and gathering.
Gameplay
Players can engage in various activities such as fighting monsters, mining ores, and cooking meals. The game features an extensive skill system and allows for both active and passive playstyles.
Why It’s Great
Melvor Idle provides depth and complexity for players seeking a more involved idle experience. Its offline progression system ensures that players can make progress even when not actively playing.
Monetization
Free-to-try with a one-time purchase to unlock the full game. No ads or microtransactions, offering a fair and complete experience.
14. Idle Apocalypse
Genre: Idle Simulation / Base Builder
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
Idle Apocalypse is a unique idle game where players build a tower to summon monsters and bring about the end of the world. It combines base-building elements with idle mechanics.
Gameplay
Players construct various rooms in their tower, each serving different functions like summoning creatures or generating resources. The game features quirky humor and a distinctive art style.
Why It’s Great
Its darkly comedic theme and creative gameplay set it apart from other idle games. The progression system keeps players engaged as they unlock new features and upgrades.
Monetization
Free-to-play with optional in-app purchases for boosts and cosmetic items. Ads can be watched voluntarily for in-game rewards.
15. Realm Grinder
Genre: Idle Strategy / Fantasy RPG
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
Realm Grinder is an idle game that combines strategy elements with fantasy RPG themes. Players choose a faction and build their realm to generate resources and unlock new content.
Gameplay
The game offers deep mechanics, including faction choices that affect gameplay, extensive upgrade paths, and a variety of spells and abilities. It encourages experimentation and long-term planning.
Why It’s Great
Its depth and complexity appeal to players looking for more than just simple idle mechanics. The game’s extensive content ensures long-term engagement.
Monetization
Free-to-play with in-app purchases for premium currency. Ads are optional and provide in-game bonuses.
16. Soda Dungeon 2
Genre: Idle RPG / Dungeon Crawler
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
Soda Dungeon 2 is a humorous idle RPG where players manage a team of adventurers to explore dungeons and collect loot. It combines traditional RPG elements with idle mechanics.
Gameplay
Players recruit various characters, each with unique abilities, to form a party. The game features automated battles, equipment upgrades, and a variety of dungeons to explore.
Why It’s Great
Its lighthearted tone and engaging gameplay make it accessible to a wide audience. The game’s progression system keeps players motivated to continue exploring and upgrading.
Monetization
Free-to-play with optional in-app purchases for in-game currency and items. Ads can be watched voluntarily for rewards.
17. Magic Research
Genre: Idle Text-Based RPG
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
Magic Research is a text-based idle RPG where players take on the role of a wizard conducting magical experiments. The game focuses on research and spell development.
Gameplay
Players manage resources to conduct research, unlock new spells, and improve their magical abilities. The game features a narrative-driven experience with various story paths.
Why It’s Great
Its unique approach to idle gameplay, focusing on research and storytelling, offers a refreshing experience. The game’s depth and replayability are notable strengths.
Monetization
Free-to-play with a one-time purchase to unlock the full game. No ads or microtransactions, providing a complete experience.
18. Idle Clans
Genre: Idle MMO / Clan-Based RPG
Platforms: iOS, Android
Overview
Idle Clans is an idle MMO where players join clans and collaborate to progress through various challenges. The game emphasizes community and cooperative gameplay.
Gameplay
Players choose a clan, participate in events, and work together to achieve common goals. The game features various activities, including battles, resource gathering, and skill development.
Why It’s Great
Its focus on community and collaboration sets it apart from other idle games. The game’s social aspects and regular events keep players engaged.
Monetization
Free-to-play with optional in-app purchases for premium currency and items. Ads are optional and provide in-game benefits.
Final Thoughts on Best Idle Games
Idle games have come a long way from simple clickers. Today’s best idle games offer deep progression systems, polished visuals, and smart mechanics that keep you hooked without demanding constant attention. Whether you prefer managing a business, leveling up heroes, or just watching numbers go up, there’s an idle game out there that fits your vibe.
The beauty of idle games is that they respect your time. You can check in for a few minutes or let things run in the background, and still feel like you’re making progress. If you’re looking for low-effort, high-reward gaming on mobile, idle games are hard to beat.
Try a few from our list and see which ones earn a permanent spot on your home screen.
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