Playing Browser Games on Phone, Tablet and Desktop

By the Crate Ship Games team · Updated October 15, 2026

Every game on Crate Ship Games runs in your web browser. You don't need to install anything, but a few habits make the experience much better. Here's what we've learned from testing games on phones, tablets and computers.

Check device support first

Every game page shows which devices the game supports: phone, tablet or desktop. Use the device filter in the games list to see only games that work on what you're holding. For CrateShip Originals we test support ourselves. For partner games it comes from the game's distributor, so controls can still vary.

Use full screen and landscape

• Most action games are designed for landscape. Turn your phone sideways before starting, because some games set their layout when they load.
• Use the game's full-screen button when it has one. iPhone browsers limit true full screen, so installing Crate Ship Games to your home screen (the Install app option) gives games more room.
• Close other heavy tabs. Browser games share memory and graphics power with everything else that's open.

Touch, keyboard and controllers

Games that support touch show on-screen controls. On a computer, click inside the game once so it receives your keyboard and mouse. For controllers:

1. Pair the controller with your phone, tablet or computer in its Bluetooth settings first.
2. Open the game and press any button. Browsers only reveal a controller after a button press.
3. If the game has a controller setup screen, like The Last Fisherman, you can change the button mapping there.

How saves work in browser games

Most browser games save progress in your browser's storage, on that device and in that browser only. That means:

• Progress on your phone won't appear on your laptop unless the game offers a cloud save or a backup file.
• Clearing browsing data, or using private/incognito mode, can delete your progress.
• Playing the same game in two tabs at once can cause save conflicts. Some games, including The Last Fisherman, block a second tab to protect your save.

The Last Fisherman has a save backup option for moving progress between devices. Partner games manage their own progress, and Crate Ship Games account saves don't apply to them.

When a game won't load

1. Reload the page and wait a little longer. First loads download the whole game.
2. Check that content blockers aren't blocking the game. Partner games are hosted by their distributor, and strict blockers can stop them loading.
3. Update your browser. 3D games need recent graphics features.
4. Try another browser, or turn off battery-saver mode, which can slow games down.
5. Still stuck? Use Report a concern on the game page, or email us using the details on our contact page.

Ads in free games

Partner games are free because their developers earn from ads shown inside the game. We label these games Free + Ads and show the distributor's privacy information before they load. CrateShip Originals currently show no ads. More detail is in How we list games.