The 31 best Android survival games you can play!

Among the vast amount of different games you can find nowadays, the survival games are some of the best, most fun, and most challenging to play on Android. The best part is that they can easily fit into any genre, including horror, suspense, mystery, adventure, action, science fiction, and more.

Of course, due to the popularity of independent and mobile games, there are more than enough games in this style for you to play on your phone. If you want to learn more about some of the best Android survival games around, simply keep reading our list down below!

Tip: If you’re not that into gaming, check out here our 2021 anime list, the best Netflix documentaries, and the best movie trilogies!

1. Another World

The Another World game is a mobile version of the original title from the 1990s, so you can hope to face some challenges and puzzles that are much harder than those we commonly see nowadays.

In the game, your character finds himself in a parallel reality and you need to survive the attack of several different enemies while trying to come back to his regular world. The game is really fun to play, and it is a perfect option for those who like to play old-school adventure games. You can download it by following this link.

2. Crashlands

Crashlands, on the other hand, is a really good bet for those looking for a game that merges several distinctive elements. In this game, you’ll find several mechanics from RPG, survival, action, and adventure games, among some more.

Your protagonist will be stuck on an alien planet and he will need to defeat the enemies he finds. to build his own base of operations, and to find a way to save the entire world! You can download the game by following this link.

3. Don’t Starve

Don’t Starve has been extremely successful for the PC and for consoles, and now it also has a mobile version, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t check out what is one of the best survival games for all platforms, Android included. Just like in many other games in this genre, your character will be stuck in a desolate place full of enemies and dangers.

You will need to be able to survive the different seasons during the year, build a shelter, make your own tools, look for resources during the day, and steer clear of the monsters that come out at night. The game, which is one of the best iPhone games, can be downloaded by following this link.

4. Downwell

For those who were really into the challenging games from the 8-bit ages, Downwell is a great option. It is a platformer game that has a lot of action in which you must survive while you fall down a bottomless well throughout its several different levels.

Since each level is procedurally generated, you will never have the same exact experience twice. To top it off, some of the levels even have hidden dungeons that you can explore in order to find special items. You can download the game on the Play Store.

5. Five Nights at Freddy’s

Of course, we just had to include at the very least one horror game in a list about the best Android survival games. In this case, the games in the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise are a great addition for you to have on your Android phone.

In these games, your biggest goal is to avoid the attack of the electronic animals in the pizza shop you work for so you can stay alive, so it certainly is worth checking out, even more so if you take into consideration how huge a success it was for PC. Follow this link to download it.

6. Lifeline

Currently, there are seven different games in the Lifeline game franchise, and each one of them features your character helping out other people through a sort of radio. You need to give advice to help the people on the other side to make the right decisions and survive to the end.

Something that can be considered quite weird about this game is that everything is entirely text-based, which makes it quite simple to play, albeit it doesn’t take anything from the enjoyment. You can download the first game in the series by following this link!

7. LIMBO

LIMBO is one of the most famous indie games in recent years, with releases for consoles, for PC, and for all smartphones (including Android, of course). In this game, you need to guide your character through entirely dark landscapes, where all you can see are the silhouettes of the objects and the enemies.

Most of the game revolves around solving puzzles, both so that you can keep on going and defeat or escape the monsters and enemies you face. You can download what certainly is one of the best Android survival games by following this link!

8. Minecraft

Even though a lot of people play Minecraft (and use the Minecraft console commands) in the creative mode so they can build anything they want, one of its most enjoyable modes is the survival mode. There, you still are able to build everything you want, but you will need to gather all the resources you need.

Other than that, you will also need to deal with several dangerous enemies and figure out a way to keep your character well-fed while spending all their energy. Learn here how to play Minecraft for free, or simply follow this link to buy it for Android!

9. Out There

Even though it is not nearly as well-known as some of the other options in our list, the game Out There is one of the most interesting options we could possibly recommend for those looking for the best Android survival games.

In this title, you will play as an astronaut who has woken up all alone in the middle of space, completely lost, and with basically no supplies whatsoever. In order to survive, you will need to find these supplies to fix your ship, something that’s not that different from the popular No Man’s Sky. You can download it by following this link.

10. Pandemic

Pandemic is a really different game since it works pretty much like a board game. Even so, it offers some of the most complex and robust survival mechanics you will find among the games in our list. It works as a co-op strategy survival game, adapted from the original board game.

In the game, you will need to prevent infectious diseases from spreading all around the world, and you will need to move everywhere in the board to gather all the supplies you need to cure those infected and eradicate the disease. You can download one of the best simulation games by following this link.

11. Auralux: Constellations

Auralux: Constellations is a strategy game that’s also very focused on its survival aspects. To sum it up, you will need to conquer new planets and protect them from future attacks, working basically as an RTS (real-time strategy) game for your phone.

And of course, it gets harder and harder as you play it since the simplest of mistakes can cost you all of the planets you’ve conquered so far. There are nothing less than 150 different levels and you can even play it online with your friends! Check it out right now.

12. Day R Survival

Day R Survival is another extremely fun alternative among the best Android survival games you can play nowadays. It is set in the old Soviet Union and it features hundreds of different places you can explore, with dozens upon dozens of items you can find.

While you run away from zombies, you also need to worry about how hungry your character is, with the radiation found in many places, and in leveling up the skills the game offers you. If you are interested, you can easily download this game by following this link!

13. Last Day on Earth: Survival

Last Day on Earth: Survival is a pretty typical survival game. Here, you will need to gather your supplies, fight against your enemies or flee, as well as building your tools, items, and shelter.

Just like many other games in this list, it is set in an apocalyptic world riddled with zombies. You can play this game for free, but there are quite a few in-app purchases, unfortunately, making it potentially lackluster for the free to play players. Follow this link to download it.

14. Plague Inc.

Plague Inc. is the exact opposite of Pandemic, one we have talked about previously in this list. In this game, you need to find the most effective ways to create a contagious disease and make it spread all across the world (and eradicate the population) before doctors can find a cure.

At least, that was its original premise. Now, it also has an expansion in which you need to be able to find the cure for a disease before it kills everyone. The game is really challenging and fun, offering you many different ways to deal with the situations presented. Download one of the best offline Android games on the Play Store.

15. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds easily takes a spot among the best Android survival games, since it is one of the most popular ones in the world, and it is one of the best online games. In this game, you’re placed in a quite large world with 100 other people.

There, you will be able to find weapons, ammo, clothing that help protect you and make you take less damage, and more, in a classic battle royale. The last to survive wins the match! The best part is that, unlike its original PC version, the Android version is entirely free to play! Download it by following this link.

16. Survive

The game Survive is a really interesting option since it places you in an entirely savage region in which you need to survive. You need to find shelter, gather resources, get water and food, build tools and items, and more.

The game’s graphics are really simple, much like the old-school adventure and survival games from the 1980s and the 1990s. Even so, it is very fun and hard, so it is worth checking out. Follow this link to download it.

17. ZARYA-1 Station

ZARYA-1 Station works pretty similarly to Lifeline. In this game, you need to communicate with several different characters, and the decisions they make based on what you tell them directly impact how long they live.

As it can be expected, the game features a myriad of different endings, which makes it have a much higher replay value. You can learn more about this game by going to the Play Store!

18. This War of Mine

This War of Mine received a lot of spotlights when it was released for PCs and shortly after that it also got an Android version, making it one of the best survival games for the platform. It shows a group of people who live under the same roof while they try to survive a war.

The supplies are scarce, so you need to strategize well when using them. Other than that, you also need to do all you can to avoid your enemies, all while making some extremely tough decisions. Follow this link to learn more about this game.

19. Mini DayZ: Zombie Survival

Mini DayZ is a much simpler version of the popular DayZ game, but it also has some different elements. With some very old-school graphics, the game places you in a post-apocalyptic world full of zombies and other enemies.

You will need to gather your supplies, your food, and the weapons to protect yourself. A really cool thing about this game is that the maps are procedurally generated, so the experience is always unique. Follow this link to see more about it.

20. Fortnite Battle Royale

Fortnite Battle Royal works very similarly to PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. The main difference is that you can also play in several other different game modes where you need to survive, as well as matches in small groups or even solo.

Other than that, Fortnite also has a structure building mechanic, one that you can choose to use strategically to win the matches with much more ease. Follow this link to check out its Android version!

21. Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is yet another of the best Android survival games. It is free and open-source, making it forever free, with hundreds of contributors.

In the game, you have to gather your resources in a procedurally generated world, where you must also defeat monsters and protect others. It has very interesting retro-style graphics, as well as a menu, making it extremely fun to play! Follow this link to download it.

22. Black Survival

Black Survival also features quite a few elements that are similar to PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, but it looks much different from the other game. Its style reminds us a lot of anime, and there are several interesting and fun characters you can try out.

It is also much more violent than the other options, and here you will need to survive in matches with 9 other people. The best part is that there are many different maps where these battles might occur, something great for those who want (or need) some variety. Follow this link to download it.

23. Radiation Island

Radiation Island is another really interesting option for those who are looking for some of the best Android survival games. It doesn’t limit you to playing in a single-player mode, also offering its users a really fun multiplayer mode!

Here, you will need to face several dangers of nature, to create tools and weapons, to fight against zombies, and a lot more. If you are interested in this game, go to the Play Store to learn more!

24. Rules of Survival

Rules of Survival places you on a quite large island where 300 other players will be present, and all of you need to do all it takes to survive until the end! Particularly due to the sheer number of people there, the game moves much more quickly, and it feels much more competitive.

Just like in most other Battle Royal games, you need to find guns and weapons, ammo, and ways to defend yourself. You can follow this link to learn more about it.

25. Grand Battle Royale

Grand Battle Royal is really interesting since it mixes up graphics that look a lot like Minecraft with the same survival elements as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.

You will find yourself on a large map with a lot of other players, similarly to the other games. You also need to gather resources, build new items, and, of course, fight against other players. Follow this link to download it.

26. Plants vs. Zombies

Plants vs. Zombies might not be the most conventional or expected option when talking about the best Android survival games, but it still has quite a few elements of the genre. You need to prevent a large group of zombies from getting to your house.

And since they go through your garden, you can place several plants, flowers, and other similar items to kill the enemies. The game is sure to hook you, it is quite hard and extremely fun! Follow this link to learn more about one of the best Android games.

27. Dead Trigger

Our next suggestion is Dead Trigger, a really fun option for those into zombie shooting games. You will need to face hordes upon hordes of the undead, find supplies, save other survivors, and a lot more.

Unlike many of the games we’ve talked about so far in this list, Dead Trigger is one that you can play offline! Learn more about this amazing game by following this link.

28. Dead Trigger 2

Since we have mentioned the first Dead Trigger game, it’s also worth talking about its sequel. It resembles a lot the first installment, but it has a lot more options when it comes to guns, maps, regions, enemies, and more.

Other than that, you can play in the solo campaign, complete multiplayer missions, or even the secondary missions. Dead Trigger 2 can be played for free and you can download it by following this link!

29. Survivalcraft

As the name might give away, this is another game that seeks to merge the Minecraft style with several survival elements. You will have to collect varied materials to build your tools, weapons, shelters, and several other types of items.

Of course, there are also enemies with which you have to worry about and defeat when necessary. It’s certainly an interesting option for those who like this type of game. Follow this link to download it.

30. ARK: Survival Evolved

ARK: Survival Evolved is another game that gained the spotlight when its PC version was released, only to later also receive an Android version. Your mission is to survive in a world riddled with dinosaurs.

You can fight against them, run away, or even try to tame them in order to get an edge. It’s also possible to gather resources to build tools, structures, weapons, and more. Follow this link to download one of the best Android survival games.

31. Agar.io

Even though it is not a game that’s about human beings trying to survive in a hostile environment, Agar.io can also be considered to be a survival game. In the role of a single cell, you will need to absorb the smaller cells while running away from the bigger ones.

The cool part about it is that every cell in this game is controlled by other human players! Follow this link to learn more about one of the best mobile multiplayer games (that also takes a spot among the best free multiplayer games)!

Did you like any of the best Android survival games?

Did you enjoy this list and get to know some new cool survival games to play on your phone? Leave a comment down below, and don’t forget to also check out the best Android MMORPG games, the best multiplayer games on PC, and the best lightweight Android emulators!