Temple Run suits players who want a quick arcade game with one-thumb controls and no setup. Imangi Studios released it on March 25, 2012, and it still gets updates; version 1.43.0 arrived on October 13, 2026. It is free and distributed through Google Play.
Who the demon monkey chase is for
The game fits short sessions on a commute or in a waiting room. You steal an idol and run from Demon Monkeys, and there is no story to follow beyond that. The Everyone content rating makes it an easy pick for families sharing a phone.
People who like reflex tests will get the most from it. Anyone wanting deep progression or long quests will find the format narrow.
Swipes, coins and heroes in practice
You steer by swiping to turn, jump, dash and slide past obstacles and traps. The route runs through temples, bridges and narrow paths along cliff edges, and one mistake ends the run.
Coins collected on the way pay for new heroes and for power-up upgrades. Boosted power-ups push your speed up, which raises the difficulty as you go. Online leaderboards let you compare scores with friends.
The game works offline, so a connection is not needed to run. Only the leaderboard side depends on being online.
Ads, purchases and device requirements
The game is free but carries ads and in-app purchases, which is common for coin-based runners. Expect interruptions between runs and offers to buy extras.
It needs Android 7.0 or newer. Google Play shows a 4.2 rating from about 5.1 million ratings, and over 500 million installs, which makes it one of the most widely installed games in its genre.
Temple Run pros and cons
Pros
- Free to start, with over 500 million installs on Google Play
- Works offline, so runs do not need a connection
- Simple swipe controls suit short sessions
- Heroes and power-ups give coins a purpose
- Rated Everyone
Cons
- Contains ads
- In-app purchases are included
- Needs Android 7.0 or newer
- Single running format with little variety
Is Temple Run safe?
Temple Run comes from Imangi Studios, the developer behind the original 2012 release, and is distributed through Google Play. Google Play lists it as Everyone-rated, with ads and in-app purchases disclosed. Install it from the store listing rather than from third-party copies.
How to install Temple Run
- Press the Google Play button on this page.
- Check the listing in the Play Store and press Install.
- Open Temple Run when the install finishes. Updates arrive through Google Play.
