{"id":117125,"date":"2019-02-06T19:27:10","date_gmt":"2019-02-06T19:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=117125"},"modified":"2025-07-01T22:25:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T05:25:21","slug":"magic-the-gathering-apps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/magic-the-gathering-apps\/","title":{"rendered":"5 best mobile apps for playing Magic: The Gathering"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With the release of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/magic.wizards.com\/en\/mtgarena\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Magic: The Gathering Arena<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, playing Magic online has become easy and common for fans of the game. However, this isn\u2019t the only program that Wizards of the Coast has given us to make our Magic experience better. There are many mobile apps from both Wizards and third-party publishers that make playing Magic significantly easier. It can be difficult to manage your decks and tokens without a little extra assistance. These apps help you organize both your decks and the battlefield so you don\u2019t have to worry about managing everything yourself. There are even apps to help you practice Magic when you don\u2019t have many partners to play with. Here are some of the best apps out there.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Best mobile apps for playing Magic: The Gathering<\/h2>\n<h3>Practicing<b>\u00a0MTG &#8211;<\/b><b> <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/magic.wizards.com\/en\/content\/magic-duels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Magic Duels<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-129212\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/magic_duels_700.jpg\" alt=\"magic duels\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While Magic has two primary ways to play its game on PC, there is only one legitimate way to play the game on mobile. <strong>Magic Duels is an officially sanctioned Magic app<\/strong> that functions very similarly to Magic: The Gathering Arena. You can play full games of Magic on your phone with this app. Although there are a few more AI options in the mobile title, the game essentially follows the same pattern as Arena by making you spend in-game currency on packs to get new cards. Magic Duels also has Steam connectivity, which means you can play it on your PC as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>All in one app &#8211;<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/magic.wizards.com\/en\/articles\/archive\/CompanionApp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Magic the Gathering Portal<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This app is <strong>currently unreleased<\/strong> but has been announced by Wizards of the Coast with a limited beta coming at some point in the near future. An official release date hasn\u2019t been set yet, but once released, this app will be a one-stop shop for all things Magic related. You can use it to easily look up cards, manage life totals, and even put together tournaments. You can find out everything this app promises to offer in the official <a href=\"https:\/\/magic.wizards.com\/en\/articles\/archive\/CompanionApp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">announcement page <\/a>for the app.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The goal of Wizards seems to be that you\u2019ll only ever need Portal and Duels to manage your decks and playtime with Magic. However, until Portal is released, you\u2019ll likely want to check out these third-party apps:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Playfield managment &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/magic-life-counter\/id389762204?mt=8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Magic Life Counter<\/a><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-129214\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/magic_life_counter.jpg\" alt=\"magic life counter\" width=\"600\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Currently, the Life Counter app is the best way to manage the battlefield without external items. As the name implies, this app\u2019s primary job is to <strong>track the Life totals of each player.<\/strong> However, the app is capable of far more than just this. You can manage counters and buffs on the app as well. This way you won\u2019t need any actual tokens to assist in your Magic games. It essentially is the precursor to Portal, since it will allow you to do all the same companion functionality aside from deck building and card-specific things.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-program\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-program__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-program__img\" alt=\"MTGLife Counter\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/image\/upload\/v1549481363\/editorial\/magic_life_counter_192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-title\">\r\n        <span class=\"sc-card-program__title\">MTGLife Counter<\/span>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-program__button sc-card-program-internal\" href=\"https:\/\/mtg-tracker-free-life-counter.en.softonic.com\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Free Download<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-rating\">\r\n        <svg class=\"rating-score__content\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.1\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\" viewbox=\"0 0 50 50\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 50 50\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><path class=\"rating-score__background rating-score--good\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"6\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" d=\"M40 40c8.3-8.3 8.3-21.7 0-30s-21.7-8.3-30 0 -8.3 21.7 0 30\"><\/path><path class=\"rating-score__value rating-score__value--70\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"6\" stroke-dashoffset=\"70\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" d=\"M40 40c8.3-8.3 8.3-21.7 0-30s-21.7-8.3-30 0 -8.3 21.7 0 30\"><\/path><text class=\"rating-score__number\" content=\"7\" text-anchor=\"middle\" transform=\"matrix(1 0 0 1 25 31.0837)\" data-auto=\"app-user-score\">7<\/text><\/svg>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row\">\r\n      <span class=\"sc-card-program__description\"><\/span>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row\">\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-program__bigpic\" src=\"\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\">\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-program__link track-link sc-card-program-internal\" href=\"https:\/\/mtg-tracker-free-life-counter.en.softonic.com\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3><b>Deck building &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/mtg-manager\/id1011839526?mt=8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MTG Manager<\/a><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-129215\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/mtg_manager.jpg\" alt=\"MTG manager\" width=\"700\" height=\"506\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There aren\u2019t as many Magic deck building apps as one might expect, given how popular the game is. However, MTG Manager is probably the <strong>best free one available.<\/strong> This app lets you <strong>scan your cards<\/strong> so you don\u2019t have to go searching through a compendium to find the exact card you have. It will then tell you everything you need to know about that card\u2019s history, and even what tournament formats it is allowed in. You can also still search through their compendium, in case you are looking for information on a card you don\u2019t have, and are putting together ideas for future decks. With this compendium and scanning feature, you can manage the cards you\u2019ve added to the app into different decks. You can then edit and search through these decks however you see fit. An ideal setup for anyone who has too many decks to manage on their own.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A premium alternative to MTG Manager is <\/span><b>Decked Builder<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. This app has a small fee attached to it, but it provides an equally large compendium of cards, and an easier interface to follow.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-program\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-program__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-program__img\" alt=\"Decked Builder\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sftcdn.net\/images\/t_app-logo-l,f_auto,dpr_auto\/p\/e4b02904-1d3b-11e8-bd12-02420a000a0d\/2378748906\/decked-builder-logo.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-title\">\r\n        <span class=\"sc-card-program__title\">Decked Builder<\/span>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-program__button sc-card-program-internal\" href=\"https:\/\/decked-builder.en.softonic.com\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Download<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-rating\">\r\n        <svg class=\"rating-score__content\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.1\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\" viewbox=\"0 0 50 50\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 50 50\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><path class=\"rating-score__background rating-score--good\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"6\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" d=\"M40 40c8.3-8.3 8.3-21.7 0-30s-21.7-8.3-30 0 -8.3 21.7 0 30\"><\/path><path class=\"rating-score__value rating-score__value--70\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"6\" stroke-dashoffset=\"70\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" d=\"M40 40c8.3-8.3 8.3-21.7 0-30s-21.7-8.3-30 0 -8.3 21.7 0 30\"><\/path><text class=\"rating-score__number\" content=\"7\" text-anchor=\"middle\" transform=\"matrix(1 0 0 1 25 31.0837)\" data-auto=\"app-user-score\">7<\/text><\/svg>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row\">\r\n      <span class=\"sc-card-program__description\"><\/span>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row\">\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-program__bigpic\" src=\"\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\">\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-program__link track-link sc-card-program-internal\" href=\"https:\/\/decked-builder.en.softonic.com\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3><b>Tournament management &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/my-bracket-tournament-manager-for-amateur-sports\/id570129169?mt=8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">My Bracket<\/a><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-129216\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/bracket_700.jpg\" alt=\"My Bracket\" width=\"900\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Despite being categorized as a \u201cSports\u201d app, this is probably the best tournament app for Magic until Portal is released. It lets you <strong>completely customize your tournaments with options for multiple elimination rounds, reusable ladders, and easy readjustments.<\/strong> It also has one of the cleanest interfaces of any bracket app, which means you won&#8217;t have to worry about ads covering your screen the entire time you&#8217;re using it. Even though this app isn\u2019t \u201cMagic-specific,\u201d it is currently the best app for planning a Magic tournament with your friends.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Each of these apps covers a different area of playing Magic. Whether you end up using all of them, or only a few, you\u2019ll immediately notice these aspects of your Magic experience improving. Managing your deck and tokens can be a difficult process, especially for long-time Magic players who have hundreds of cards. Hopefully, these apps will help take the stress of card management out of the equation for you. And if you\u2019re interested in learning about some online alternatives to Magic Duels, then be sure to check out our article on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/the-best-way-to-play-magic-the-gathering-online\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">how to play Magic online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Or if you&#8217;re new to Magic, then you&#8217;ll definitely want to check out our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/guide-to-magic-the-gathering-color-differences-and-playstyles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Magic playstyles<\/a> to help you start building your decks.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These great apps can make your next Magic game even more fun!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9154,"featured_media":117327,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wpcf-pageviews":1},"categories":[3150],"tags":[1421,1509],"usertag":[784,785,789],"vertical":[],"content-category":[],"class_list":["post-117125","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-magic-the-gathering","tag-mobile","usertag-gamer","usertag-gamer-free","usertag-gamer-mobile"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9154"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117125"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":326646,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117125\/revisions\/326646"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117125"},{"taxonomy":"usertag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usertag?post=117125"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=117125"},{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=117125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}