What Is Subway Surfers?

This endless runner is a free-to-play mobile game where you collect coins as you're chased by the inspector

By
Brad Stephenson
Brad Stephenson - Lifewire Writer
Brad Stephenson
Freelance Contributor
  • Western Sydney University
Brad Stephenson is a freelance tech and geek culture writer with 12+ years' experience. He writes about Windows 10, Xbox One, and cryptocurrency.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Published on February 14, 2024

Subway Surfers is a popular free-to-play endless runner video game available on Android and Apple devices. A web version of Subway Surfers is also available, which can be played in a web browser on a computer.

The goal of Subway Surfers is to collect coins and other items, dodge obstacles, and avoid being captured by the inspector. The number of obstacles and the rate at which they appear increases the longer the player plays the game.

When Did Subway Surfers Come Out?

Subway Surfers launched on iOS on May 20, 2012. The game debuted on Android later that same year on September 24. Subway Surfers celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022.

How Do You Download Subway Surfers?

The Subway Surfers video game is available to download for free from the official Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and the Amazon App Store.

A version of Subway Surfers was available on the Windows Phone platform. However, the Windows Phone version of Subway Surfers, like the Windows Phone platform itself, is no longer available. 

Is There a PC Version of Subway Surfers?

An official web version of Subway Surfers is available to play within a web browser on the Poki website. This web version of Subway Surfers is nearly identical to the mobile version but uses the keyboard's spacebar and arrow keys to jump, move left and right, roll, and summon the hover board. 

Numerous online websites claim to offer a PC version of Subway Surfers that can be downloaded and installed on your computer. These are scams either trying to collect your private information or install malware on your device.

Is Subway Surfers on Nintendo Switch?

There is no official version of Subway Surfers on the Nintendo Switch. Some gamers have hacked their Switch consoles to play a pirated mobile version. All of the videos on YouTube featuring someone playing a Nintendo Switch version of Subway Surfers are showing someone playing an illegal copy of the Android or iOS mobile version.

Running mobile games on a Nintendo Switch usually requires installing unapproved software, which could void your console’s warranty. Downloading a pirated version of Subway Surfers could also land you in legal trouble.

Is Subway Surfers on Console?

Subway Surfers is not available for Xbox and PlayStation video game consoles. If you want to play Subway Surfers on your TV, an official spin-off called Subway Surfers Tag is available on Apple TV.

You can also play Subway Surfers on your TV by projecting your smartphone or tablet to your TV screen.

Who Made Subway Surfers?

KILOO Games and SYBO Games made Subway Surfers. While KILOO shut down in June 2023, this didn’t affect the development of new content for Subway Surfers, which SYBO now manages entirely.

How to Play Subway Surfers

Like most mobile games, Subway Surfer has extremely simplified controls. Swipe horizontally on the screen to move right and left, swipe down to roll, and swipe up to jump. Double-tap on the screen to make the hoverboard appear. The hoverboard allows you to jump higher and survive a single collision with an obstacle.

Is Subway Surfers Safe for Kids?

Subway Surfers is generally a safe video game for children to play. Its cartoony style and positive energy are mostly appropriate for all age groups. However, parents may want to ensure that younger players know the dangers of subway surfing.

Parents should also be aware of the game’s microtransactions and ensure that all of the device’s parental controls have been activated. Players can also watch commercials within the app to earn in-game currency, so this is something that you may want to keep an eye on.

What Are the Subway Surfer Spin-Offs?

There are three official spin-offs to the main Subway Surfers video game. Like the original title, all three spin-offs are free-to-play.

  • Subway Surfers Blast: A puzzle game similar to Candy Crush.
  • Subway Surfers Match: A puzzle game with digital graffiti art.
  • Subway Surfers Tag: A bigger version designed for Apple TV and macOS that also runs on iPhones and iPads.
Was this page helpful?