Factorio Forums

So I know that we already have the switch version which is technically "mobile", but I'd LOVE to see a mobile version. Especially with the new Iphone promax, galaxy 24 Ultra, and zfold 5 (plus the next iteration of the ROG phone) it FEELS like mobile phones are getting to the point of being able to handle the game. If this has been addressed in another thread, i apologize and would love a li k to it, since i didnt see one when i searched.

Many devices like phones might be able to run the Factorio program. But the question is, can they run a full Factorio factory big enough to clear the game? And also, does the device have the proper input capabilities to actually be playable, instead of just being a non-interactive "game" that can run but not played? But a phone with a wireless controller would work, those must exist. And switch version is played with that. But it still seems like a too small market and a too small screen, who would play on the phone and bring a controller when a switch or laptop or desktop is a better option? A folding phone or a tablet might have screen bigger than a switch though. But that is a tiny market for now I think.

I couldn't imagine a Hell worse than trying to play Factorio on a mobile device.

Qon wrote: Mon Oct 09, 2023 7:15 pmAnd also, does the device have the proper input capabilities to actually be playable, instead of just being a non-interactive "game" that can run but not played?

A Pen with a single button can be used as a mouse. Several games like Factorio are not easy to play without a keyboard (a virtual kb would consume part of an already small screen), so I would discard real time fast response (like combat), but maybe for maintenance while away from your computer...
I tried a few PC games on Galaxy Note 3 + Pen (yes, some years ago) and it was good enough for me, but the limiting factor was battery duration. Now I am a bit older, and my eyes would just refuse any further attempt

NineNine wrote: Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:52 pm I couldn't imagine a Hell worse than trying to play Factorio on a mobile device.

Abarel wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:29 am

Qon wrote: Mon Oct 09, 2023 7:15 pmAnd also, does the device have the proper input capabilities to actually be playable, instead of just being a non-interactive "game" that can run but not played?

A Pen with a single button can be used as a mouse. Several games like Factorio are not easy to play without a keyboard (a virtual kb would consume part of an already small screen), so I would discard real time fast response (like combat), but maybe for maintenance while away from your computer...

I did mention a controller. There must be controllers that you can connect to phones/tablets. And Factorio is on switch, which is played with a controller, so that input method must be decent enough for casual Factorio play, including some combat.

So i personally have a z fold 5. It is definitely big enough when open, and i agtee that peripheral support is a must. Fortunately android supports Playstation and Xbox controllers as well as usb/bluetooth keyboards and mice

Trace_117 wrote: Mon Oct 09, 2023 6:14 pm If this has been addressed in another thread, i apologize and would love a li k to it, since i didnt see one when i searched.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=299
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3451
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=25825
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=63485

But also
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15011 Generic ARM
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22024 iPad

Koub wrote: Wed Oct 11, 2023 5:47 am

Trace_117 wrote: Mon Oct 09, 2023 6:14 pm If this has been addressed in another thread, i apologize and would love a li k to it, since i didnt see one when i searched.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=299
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3451
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=25825
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=63485

But also
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15011 Generic ARM
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22024 iPad

Thank you! None of these showed up in my search. Despite the threads being quite old, im happy to see that it is at least a consideration. I know the devs are very busy with the expansion so it looks like ill just have to wait to feed my addiction outside of my home. That being said, if any of the devs happen to scroll by this Id love to see it happen. I also volunteer for early testing!

NineNine wrote: Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:52 pm I couldn't imagine a Hell worse than trying to play Factorio on a mobile device.

Ever heared of Dwarf Fortress? Used to play it on Lenovo Yoga back in the day. Even enjoyed it. Although yea, it's a hell in comparison with Factorio even on PC...

USB mice and keyboards are not PC-exclusive.

How hard would it be for the development team to make an android base game?
I'm sure most of us would be willing to pay for this version
I know I would

I'm curious... what would the point of that be? To try to play Factorio on a tiny screen, or with a tiny processor, or with a tiny amount of memory?

LoL yeah

Well, Wube, the company that makes Factorio is a private, for-profit company. So, I think that unfortunately, you will be waiting a very long time for a Android version of Factorio.

But I think they can make good money from it because a ton of people with Android phones would buy the game and they would get a new big group of people by being listed on the Google play store.
I actually think it would be quite profitable for them

nsdemon wrote: Wed Sep 10, 2025 8:50 am But I think they can make good money from it because a ton of people with Android phones would buy the game and they would get a new big group of people by being listed on the Google play store.
I actually think it would be quite profitable for them

Sadly, the market for android games isn't quality games, but additive crappy games with zero gameplay and 100% tricking the brain into dopamine shots. So they won't make their money back for the massive amount of work making the UI work for phone screen sizes and working around all the issues with different android models.

you can try playing with GeForce now

Daid wrote: Sat Sep 13, 2025 6:07 am

nsdemon wrote: Wed Sep 10, 2025 8:50 am But I think they can make good money from it because a ton of people with Android phones would buy the game and they would get a new big group of people by being listed on the Google play store.
I actually think it would be quite profitable for them

Sadly, the market for android games isn't quality games, but additive crappy games with zero gameplay and 100% tricking the brain into dopamine shots. So they won't make their money back for the massive amount of work making the UI work for phone screen sizes and working around all the issues with different android models.

While that is mostly true, it’s not universally so. There are plenty of real games that do very well on mobile platforms, like Terraria, Stardew Valley, Sims, and Balatro.

I think the issue is just that a fully touch-friedly version of Factorio would be a very challenging undertaking for Wube. It would be a ton of work, way more than the comparatively modest adjustments to get Factorio on Nintendo Switch. Essentially the entire UI would have to be redone to account for both touch and smaller screens. And the game is already barely working on a controller. Figuring out how to give the player that many inputs without real buttons cannot be easy.

But in a world where all of that was solved, I could definitely see at least some people enjoying Factoio on mobile. For some people out there, that’s all they have to game on.

It's probably not entirely impossible to port Factorio to Android, because the hardware abstraction library used is SDL, and SDL is available for Android. However, I guess a touch interface isn't what Factorio was designed for. Given all the interactions with the map, it's like trying to manufacture fine jewelry with construction gloves on. We are the engineer in the end, aren't we?

Maybe some developers will rise to the challenges of doing this