It can be super frustrating when you're all set to play Among Us with your friends on your phone, but you just can't join their private game. Most of the time, this happens because of simple things like typing in the room code wrong, being on different game servers, or having different versions of the game. Don't worry, there are usually easy ways to fix it!

Among Us is all about teamwork and figuring out who the impostor is, and it's definitely more fun with people you know. When you run into trouble joining a private match on mobile, it usually comes down to a few common culprits.

Why You Might Not Be Able to Join a Private Among Us Game

Here’s a breakdown of the main reasons you might be stuck:

• Wrong Room Code: This is the most common reason. Room codes are usually 6 letters long and case-sensitive. Even a tiny typo can stop you from getting in. Double-check with the host to make sure you have the exact code.
• Different Server Regions: Among Us has game servers in different parts of the world, like North America, Europe, and Asia. If you and your friend are on different server regions, you won't be able to join each other's games. You can usually see and change your server region on the main menu, often in the bottom right corner.
• Game Version Mismatch: Sometimes, one person might have an older or newer version of Among Us than the other. This often happens right after the game gets an update. If your game isn't updated, you won't be able to join those who are on the latest version. iOS updates can sometimes take a little longer to become available than Android or PC updates.
• Among Us Server Issues: Sometimes, the problem isn't on your end. The Among Us game servers might be having problems, undergoing maintenance, or simply be too busy with too many players. This can lead to connection errors or make it hard to find games.
• Bad Internet Connection: A weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal or mobile data can prevent you from connecting to a game. Among Us needs a pretty stable connection to work smoothly.
• The Game is Full: Private games have a limit on how many players can join. If the lobby is already full, you won't be able to squeeze in.
• Game Already Started: If the host has already started the match, new players can't join until that round is over.

I remember one time I was trying to join my friends for an emergency game night, and I kept getting "Could not find the game you're looking for." I was so frustrated! Turns out, my friend had accidentally switched their server region to Europe while I was still on North America. Once we both picked the same one, I was in within seconds. It's such a small detail, but it makes a huge difference.

Easy Fixes to Get You Back in the Game

Here are some quick steps you can try to fix these common issues:

1. Double-Check the Room Code: Ask your friend to send the code again, or confirm it verbally. Make sure you're typing it exactly as it appears, including any capital letters (though Among Us codes usually aren't case-sensitive for joining, it's good practice).

2. Match Server Regions: Before joining, make sure you and the host are both on the same server region. You can change this on the Among Us main screen, usually in the bottom right corner. For example, if your friend is in "North America," you should be too.

3. Update Your Game: Head to your phone's app store (Google Play Store for Android or Apple App Store for iOS) and check if there's an update available for Among Us. Make sure everyone playing has the latest version.

4. Check Your Internet Connection: Make sure your Wi-Fi is strong or your mobile data is working well. Try restarting your router or switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if that helps.

5. Restart Among Us and Your Phone: Sometimes, just closing the app completely and reopening it can fix glitches. If that doesn't work, try restarting your whole phone.

6. Clear App Cache (Android) or Reinstall (iOS): For Android users, you can try clearing the cache for the Among Us app in your phone's settings. For iOS users, you might need to uninstall and then reinstall the game. This can fix corrupted game data.

7. Try a Different Server Region (Temporary Fix): Some players have found that if they can't connect, they can temporarily switch to a different server region, try to join (which will likely fail), then switch back to the correct region and try again. This weird trick sometimes "resets" the connection.

I remember another time, my phone just refused to let me join a game with my brother, even though we were sitting next to each other. It kept saying "Game not found." I tried everything! Finally, after uninstalling and reinstalling the game on my iPhone, it magically worked. It felt like a fresh start for the app fixed whatever invisible problem was lurking.

If you're still having trouble after trying these steps, the Among Us servers might be under heavy load or having a temporary hiccup. In that case, waiting a little while and trying again later often does the trick. You might also want to check the official Among Us social media pages for any announcements about server issues.

Playing Among Us with friends is a blast, and knowing how to troubleshoot these common joining problems means less downtime and more time accusing your buddies of being sus! For more tips on playing with friends, check out our guide on How to Play Among Us With Friends.

If you want to make in-app purchases in Among Us or any other game, you can use Playstorm to earn towards App Store or Google Play gift cards. We also offer Nintendo eShop vouchers if you play on Switch!