---
title: "Playing Xiangqi on a Phone · Xiangqi Master"
description: "Yes. A browser-based board works on any modern phone, with no installation, and the 9×10 grid fits a portrait screen well."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/can-i-play-xiangqi-on-my-phone
updated: 2026-09-22
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# Can I play xiangqi on my phone?

These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws and is regression-tested against the official 110-diagram repetition casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it against the engine before publishing.

> Direct answer
>
> **Yes**, and it works better than you might expect — the 9×10 board is taller than it is wide, which suits a portrait phone screen. A browser-based client needs **no installation**, and you can play the computer or a real opponent from the same page.

## What to check on a small screen

Whether piece characters remain legible at phone size — western symbols are an option if not — and whether the board supports tap-to-select rather than only drag, which is more reliable on a touchscreen when points are close together.

## Play slower on a phone

Misclicks are the main hazard, and blitz on a phone produces more of them than it produces learning. If you are playing to improve rather than to pass time, longer time controls are worth more here than anywhere.

## Related questions

Is there an app to install?

Not needed for this site — it runs in the browser on phone and desktop.

Does it work offline?

Playing the computer can work offline once loaded; online games obviously need a connection.

## Related xiangqi resources

Play xiangqi

Free, in the browser, nothing to install

Play the computer

Four difficulty levels, no account needed

Xiangqi questions answered

Every question on this site, in one index

## Try it on a real board

Reading an answer is one thing; playing it is another. Free, instant, and nothing to install.