One of the best ways to digitally prepare for the Christmas season is to explore fun Santa apps available for iOS and Android devices. Some let you talk to Santa Claus personally, while others can turn your iPhone into your very own naughty or nice detector. We reviewed Santa Apps to find the best ones for your iPhone and Android.
Best Santa Claus Calling App: Message From Santa!
Message From Santa! is a Christmas app for iOS and Android devices that lets kids call Santa for real. (Well, almost for real.)
User-friendly interface.
High-quality audio and video messages from Santa.
Simulated SMS for instant replies.
Internet connection required.
Some connectivity issues.
Videos ads in the free version.
This Santa app features a built-in smartphone feature that allows children to call Santa’s voicemail, leave a message, check what he’s up to, and find out if he thinks they’re naughty or nice. No real phone calls are made, but the app looks and works well enough that it will entertain younger true believers who want to call Santa in real life.
Some of the audio changes depending on the time of day a call is made. Parents can enter personal information into the app to make it sound like Santa knows who he’s talking to. In addition to the audio features, Message From Santa! also provides three video messages from Santa Claus and his elf, which are incredibly well-made and free to use.
A premium upgrade is needed to remove the video ads and to use custom names in Santa phone calls. Still, the app is fairly satisfying when used for free.
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While this Santa app creates the illusion of making phone calls and sending text messages to the North Pole, no actual communication takes place. Everything happens within the app.
Coolest Santa Tracking App: Santa Tracker and Status Check
Santa tracking apps are some of the most popular Christmas apps in the Google Play Store. There’s no denying the simple joy in watching where Santa Claus is in real-time on Christmas Eve. While most apps begin their tracking feature a day or two before the big day, The Santa Tracker and Status Check app lets you detect where Santa is all year round.
Sci-fi design sets it apart.
Fun Santa stats.
Easy to use.
Ad-heavy.
Limited functionality.
Android only.
In addition to Santa’s real-time GPS location and some cool stats showing how far he is from your current location, this Christmas app also gives you a futuristic scan of Santa’s body and a cool countdown clock for Christmas Eve.
Tap the small x in the upper-right and upper-left corners of video ads to close them without watching the entire ad.
Best Catching Santa Video Game: Santa Spy Cam 3
Santa Spy Cam 3 is one of many “catching Santa” apps that let adults and children create photographs and videos that show them catching Santa Claus and his elves on film during their Christmas Eve trip. This app features a large library of high-quality footage of actors dressed up as the popular Christmas characters that can be placed over whatever you choose to film.
High-quality costumes and actors.
Easy to shoot and edit.
Offers tips for parents.
No way to take a photo within the app.
Limited support.
Sometimes freezes.
Android app isn’t available.
The characters can be resized to match the objects’ scale on the screen, and the film recording process is straightforward. The only major downsides include the photo option, which requires an image to be imported from your phone or tablet’s library rather than shot live, and the fact that all but one of the character options must be unlocked with a one-off payment.
Still, the free option is fun, and the $1.99 upgrade won’t break the bank for those looking to shoot a collection of Christmas films to show the relatives.
Best Santa App for Kids: Sweet Baby Girl Christmas 2
Sweet Baby Girl Christmas 2 is a special Christmas spin-off of the other Sweet Baby Girl iOS and Android apps, focusing on Santa Claus and the North Pole. Players are tasked with decorating Santa’s Workshop in the North Pole and can complete activities such as decorating the Christmas tree, carving ice sculptures, and designing Santa’s outfit.
A variety of activities.
Cute graphics.
Easy-to-understand gameplay.
Tiered levels may frustrate junior players.
Lots of ads.
Older kids may find it boring.
The interaction with Santa is particularly engaging. It allows younger players to explore their creativity by choosing from various hats, shirts, pants, shoes, and beard styles for Santa Claus to wear.
Some mini-games require payment to unlock, but there’s more than enough to keep free players entertained. With the number of games to play, Sweet Baby Girl Christmas 2 feels like several Santa apps rolled into one.
Best Interactive Family Fun: ElfYourself
While Santa himself isn’t featured, we included ElfYourself because it’s a fun app that kids of all ages will enjoy. Add your face or the faces of up to five friends or family members, choose a dance, and enjoy a personalized video you can share via social media, email, or text.
Easy to use.
Share your dancing skills on social media.
Videos can act as interactive holiday cards.
Some dances are free, but most require a purchase to unlock.
Free version has ads.
It’s free to download and play with ElfYourself and there are some free dances. Most dances do require a purchase, however. You can buy dances individually or get a 12-month season pass to unlock all dances and remove ads.
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