How to Play Gomoku on iMessage

Key Takeaways:

What Gomoku on iMessage is: A GamePigeon mini game in Messages on iPhone and iPad where you and a friend race to connect five in row on a 12×12 grid.
Installing GamePigeon for Gomoku: Install GamePigeon from the App Store inside Messages, open a chat, tap the app drawer, choose Gomoku, then send the game card to start playing.
How to play in Messages: Send a GamePigeon invite in Messages, place markers on your turn, wait for their reply; each move updates the board and posts as a message.
Gomoku rules you’ll follow: Two players alternate black and white pieces on a 12×12 grid, aiming to connect five horizontally, vertically, or diagonally while blocking opponents and preventing threats.
Tips and precautions: Both players need GamePigeon installed. You can play asynchronously. Expect notifications, potential in-app purchases, and region or device compatibility limits when using Messages on iPhone.

If you’re a fan of strategy games and friendly competition, Gomoku deserves a spot in your iMessage lineup. Thanks to GamePigeon, you can now challenge your friends to an intense board game match without ever leaving your Messages app.

The best part? You don’t have to play live. Each move is sent as a message, meaning you and your friend can take turns whenever you have time. Let’s learn how to play Gomoku on iMessage.

Table of Contents

What Is Gomoku on iMessage?
How to Install GamePigeon on iMessage
How to Play Gomoku on iMessage
Gomoku Rules
Ready to Play?

What Is Gomoku on iMessage?

Gomoku (also known as “Five in a Row”) is a classic Japanese logic game where two players take turns placing markers on a grid, trying to be the first to connect five in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.

On iMessage, Gomoku is available through GamePigeon, a free extension from the App Store that lets iPhone users play multiplayer games directly inside the Messages app. No extra apps cluttering your home screen, no lag, and no storage hogging, thanks to cloud gaming.

How to Install GamePigeon on iMessage

Before you can start playing Gomoku, you’ll need to add GamePigeon to iMessage. Here’s how to do it:

Launch the Messages app on your iPhone.
Open an existing iMessage chat or tap the pen icon to start a new one.
Tap the + icon beside the text box, scroll down the context menu and select App Store. If you don’t see the option, tap More and then select it.
Tap the search icon at the top right corner and type GamePigeon in the search bar.
Tap Get and authenticate your download with Face ID or Touch ID.
Wait a few seconds for it to install. Once done, tap Open to see GamePigeon inside your iMessage.

That’s it! You’re ready to play.

How to Play Gomoku on iMessage

Once you’ve installed GamePigeon on your iPhone, setting up a game of Gomoku is super simple:

In your iMessage chat, tap the + icon, scroll and select GamePigeon.
Swipe up the game menu and select Gomoku.
You may add a fun message like “Bet you can’t beat me 😏” before sending.
Tap Send (↑) to invite your friend.
Now, tap the Play icon and you’ll see a Waiting for Opponent message until your friend accepts.
Meanwhile, your friend should accept the invitation to start the game.
As the game begins, the player prompted with Black Markers should make the first move.
Tap the intersection on the board to place your marker. You can adjust its position multiple times. Tap Send to confirm your move. It can’t be undone.
Following the first move, the second player with a White Marker should proceed with the game accordingly.
As per the game’s rules, the first person who manages to place five consecutive markers will win the game.
If you wish to exit, simply tap the Close icon from the top-right corner.
Additionally, you can tweak the game’s UI to your preference by tapping the Settings icon.

Note

You and your friend don’t have to be online together. Simply start a game and send your play move. The other person can join anytime and play his/her turn. Each move is sent as a message. To play the next turn, just open the chat thread and tap on the last game message.

Gomoku Rules

Played on a 12×12 grid.
Two players alternate turns using Black and White markers.
The goal: Be the first to align five of your markers horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
You must also stop your opponent from doing the same while establishing your line.
Have a good strategy, patience, and a bit of foresight.

The rules sound simple to learn but are surprisingly challenging to master.

Pro Tip

In Gomoku, the player with the initial move usually has a strategic edge. So, ask your friend to send you the game invite, giving you the first turn and increasing your chances.

Ready to Play?

That’s all you need to start your Gomoku journey on iMessage. It’s strategic, fast-paced, and perfect for when you want a mental challenge that fits right in your busy schedule.

So, go ahead: open Messages, challenge a friend, and see who can claim the Five-in-a-Row crown!