charging play alternatives

Users look for alternatives to Charging Play due to frequent ads, persistent bugs preventing animation changes, and concerns about unexpected charges. Alternatives offer varying degrees of customization, reliability, and pricing models, though many also struggle with ads or subscription costs.

Why users look for alternatives to charging play

Users frequently encounter numerous ads, often appearing every few seconds or preventing app functionality, which detracts from the experience.^R1^R2^R5^R7
Many users report bugs where they cannot change custom charging animations, the app gets stuck on a screen, or animations fail to play.^R3^R4^R6^R9
Some users experienced issues with ads not loading, which prevented them from enabling animations, or ads appearing in inaccessible parts of the screen.^R31^R39^R44^R46
There are reports of the app automatically appearing on screen while charging, even when not desired, or not showing up on the lock screen or iPad as expected.^R16^R18^R34
A serious concern was raised by one user who claimed to have paid for 'plus' features but received nothing, and subsequently experienced inappropriate messages sent to friends, suggesting a potential security or scam issue.^R13
Users also reported problems with audio not playing for custom videos, or the app not working well with iPhones in general.^R30^R33^R45

The alternatives

Charger

4.7★ · 18,140 ratings · Free

Charger offers various animations that appear when you charge your phone ^R52. It aims to provide a visual indicator for charging ^R54.

Better for: This app might be better for users who primarily need a visual confirmation that their phone is charging, especially if they have issues with their charging port ^R54. However, users should be aware of its pricing model and frequent ad interruptions ^R51^R52^R54^R57.

Head-to-head: charging play vs Charger

Charging Fun Animation

4.7★ · 17,186 ratings · Free

Charging Fun Animation allows users to create their own animations and offers a variety of 'epic' alien charging animations . Some users found it easy to use and effective for displaying animations ^R69.

Better for: This alternative could suit users who want to personalize their charging experience with custom animations . However, users should be prepared for ads and potential payment requirements, as well as possible issues with animations not working on lock screens or iPads ^R65^R68^R74. There was also a report of inappropriate content despite a 4+ age rating ^R67.

Head-to-head: charging play vs Charging Fun Animation

Battery Charging Animation・Up

4.7★ · 10,890 ratings · Free

Battery Charging Animation・Up provides animations for phones, including options like a CPU wallpaper ^R80^R86.

Better for: This app is for users looking for cool animations for their phone's charging screen ^R80^R86. However, users should be aware of the high subscription cost, reported as $8.99 a week . There are also reports of difficulty deleting the app and issues with photo access ^R82^R84.

Head-to-head: charging play vs Battery Charging Animation・Up

Charging Play 3D Animation Fun

4.6★ · 9,784 ratings · Free

Charging Play 3D Animation Fun is described as offering 'dynamic power ups' and unique charging screen experiences ^R97. Some users found it to work well ^R94.

Better for: This app might appeal to users seeking more dynamic or unique 3D charging animations ^R97. However, many users report that most features require payment, with some animations costing $8, making it a 'pay to win' experience . Some also found it hard to use or noted it would turn off ^R95.

Head-to-head: charging play vs Charging Play 3D Animation Fun

Charging Animation Show Play

4.3★ · 7,469 ratings · Free

Charging Animation Show Play allows users to use their own animations and is praised for being relaxing and effective ^R108. It can include songs and magic themes .

Better for: This app is suitable for users who want to use their own custom animations and find the experience relaxing ^R108. However, there are significant concerns about unauthorized charges, with one user reporting being charged $8.99 weekly for over a year without permission, and others noting that most features require payment ^R109^R110. Some also reported that animations did not work or that there were sound issues ^R107.

Head-to-head: charging play vs Charging Animation Show Play

Stick with charging play if

You should stick with Charging Play if you are one of the users who found it to work well for you, especially if you followed the tutorial and got it set up successfully . Some users still find it to be a good app with cool features despite the ads ^R2^R5.

Evidence note: No alternative had too few reviews to judge.

Frequently asked

Are charging animation apps generally free?

No, many charging animation apps, including Charger, Battery Charging Animation・Up, Charging Play 3D Animation Fun, and Charging Animation Show Play, require payment for full features or operate on a subscription model, with some users reporting costs like $2 a week or $8.99 a week ^R51^R57^R62^R74.

Do these apps always work on the lock screen?

Not always; some users reported that apps like Charger only display animations when the phone is unlocked, or that Charging Play and Charging Fun Animation sometimes fail to show animations on the lock screen or iPad ^R16^R48^R53^R68.

Can I use my own videos or images for charging animations?

Yes, apps like Charging Play, Charging Fun Animation, and Charging Animation Show Play allow users to set custom videos or animations ^R3^R33^R45. However, users sometimes experience bugs preventing these custom animations from being set or playing correctly ^R3^R33^R45^R68.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

[R1] charging play 1/5 · US Your mobile player: Honestly, I had a lot of faith in this game until I actually tried it out first off with the ads and stuff. It didn’t say anything about ads in the description. Maybe I haven’t looked at it right now. I saw what I saw it personally it was even working. I had to put my charger in to make a charge and then it started saying how it was helping my phone charge one about portable ch
[R2] charging play 5/5 · US Great but…: It’s a great app and great set up but if I didn’t have to unlock my phone and didn’t have ads it would be top tier
[R5] charging play 5/5 · US Great but: Too many ads but cool features
[R7] charging play 2/5 · US Charging play has ads: There is ads
[R3] charging play 3/5 · US Custom: When I wanted to do my own custom charging animation after I pressed set it would just keep loading and not actually setting my custom charging animation
[R4] charging play 1/5 · US What did I do wrong?: I opened the app… it only shows me my battery percentage and when I try to click on the screen it goes black… explain
[R6] charging play 3/5 · US Stuck on screen: Everytime I open the app it has the MagSafe charging screen and I even re-installed it and it won’t take me off the screen I’ve used this app before when I was younger but I have no clue why it isn’t working unless my app is glitched ?
[R9] charging play 3/5 · US Just struggling.: um hi. i downloaded the app hoping to use it, but he leaves me on a screen. it won’t let me change the animation. i try to click but everytime i click the screen it will go black and then it will go back to the animation. i don’t understand.
[R31] charging play 1/5 · US Doesn’t work for me: When I try to apply one and get to the point where it gives me the advertising message I just get stuck on a loading circle and nothing else happens
[R39] charging play 3/5 · US Advertisement won't load: All the steps worked for me except for at the end where it prompts to "Look at the Advertisement" in order to unblock the operation. I would click on Look at the Advertisement but the ad would never load and start the process over, making me unable to enable the charging animation. The ads never loaded???
[R44] charging play 4/5 · US The adds: When you get a add on My phone it’s so far in the top left corner I can’t even press it can somebody please fix it
[R46] charging play 2/5 · US Ehhh: Okay so I love this app but my ads don’t load half the time.. and it just won’t work
[R16] charging play 1/5 · US I don’t like this app: So for some reason it when I go to my homes when I go on my walk screen, it’s not there or my iPad screen. It says it supposed to show up on my watch screen but it’s not. Also it didn’t show up even though my iPad is plugged in.
[R18] charging play 3/5 · US PLEASE READ: This app is the best, but one day I was trying to get to another app and the app CHARGING PLAY kept getting on my screen, can the developers of this app stop this?
[R34] charging play 1/5 · US 😡: It doesn’t let me delete the app I don’t like it becuase every time when I’m playing Roblox and I’m charging my phone it automatically appears 😡😡😡
[R13] charging play 1/5 · US Scammed me and sent inappropriate messages to my friends: I was using this app normally and paid for the “+” features, and didn’t get anything, then all of my friends got messages saying cuss words and death threats, this seemed connected to this app because the message couldn’t be traced back to my phone, if you are smart at all, and don’t want to get spoofed, then don’t buy this app.
[R30] charging play 3/5 · US Not work: This app doesn’t work very well with IPhone.
[R33] charging play 3/5 · US Please fix this bug in the app: I love this app but I do wish it would play the audio with the videos I selected. When I first got the app it worked perfectly but over time I would upload a new video and it plays silent with no sound no matter what I try and I even messed with the settings and nothing. Is there a way to fix this feature?
[R45] charging play 3/5 · GB The sound isn’t working: The sound isn’t working on my edit when I charge it it’s pops up straight away but no sound on it and I’ve recorded the sound on the app and everything and it’s still not working
[R51] Charger 2/5 · US Deceptive: It looks cool, but It prompts you to rate it BEFORE you use it and find out that’s not free. Then it wants $19.99 a year!
[R52] Charger 4/5 · US Great!: This is awesome. I love how it pops up when u charge your phone. I removed a star because it’s pretty annoying when the ads pop up. Great app but please remove the ads, Mabye like a button where you could put the ad but not let it pop up. It’s ok, so I give it 4 stars.
[R54] Charger 1/5 · US Ruined on latest update: Switches to an add for a subscription to this app 30 seconds in. My charging port is failing, and I used this to have a visual to make sure the cord was aligned properly. Uninstalled.
[R57] Charger 1/5 · US This is a scam: While there are good animations, they cost 2 dollars a week, which is insane. No one should pay this much for a display, all good reviews are fake.
[R65] Charging Fun Animation 1/5 · US 😡: I hate it it's not free and it doesn't work normally on my iPad😡!!!!!!!!!
[R67] Charging Fun Animation 3/5 · US Not appropriate: It says ages 4+ but no it showed a face and it was sticking up the middle finger and it Sayed something to but I forgot and it also is nothing like the ads or the pictures and videos it shows so do not recommend!
[R68] Charging Fun Animation 1/5 · US I don't like it: The only way I can go on the animation is on the app I did the tutorial and everything with my own video and it still didn't work
[R69] Charging Fun Animation 5/5 · US This is the perfect app: It easy to get more battery 😍
[R80] Battery Charging Animation・Up 5/5 · US It works: I wanted a cool wallpaper so I found this app and I downloaded it and now I have a CPU wallpaper
[R82] Battery Charging Animation・Up 1/5 · US Delete: I game a lot on my phone and some of my chargers are weird so when I try to charge the animation keeps popping up so I’ve been trying to delete this app but IT WONT LET ME
[R84] Battery Charging Animation・Up 3/5 · US Can’t change photos to allow full access: Won’t let me change my private access to allow all photos it only has the videos and I don’t want videos
[R86] Battery Charging Animation・Up 5/5 · US Very cool: This is very cool if you want animations for your phone would recommend!
[R94] Charging Play 3D Animation Fun 5/5 · US Wow: This app is great!
[R95] Charging Play 3D Animation Fun 3/5 · US Maybe all: It keep on turning off but it’s okay
[R96] Charging Play 3D Animation Fun 1/5 · US Why: I can not figure out how to. Do this 😡
[R97] Charging Play 3D Animation Fun 5/5 · US Dynamic power ups: This is truly one of the best apps available regarding charging screen screens. When you compare the traditional versions of the animated power up screens to this one, there’s nothing like it!
[R107] Charging Animation Show Play 1/5 · US Dosent work for me: I retried and did multiple sounds and it doesn’t work
[R108] Charging Animation Show Play 5/5 · US AMAZING🤩: This is genuinely the best thing I’ve ever installed on my phone, and the fact that I can put my own animations is insane! Mine goes perfectly with my ADHD
[R109] Charging Animation Show Play 3/5 · US You have to pay to do anything: So yea just a scam ._.
[R110] Charging Animation Show Play 1/5 · US Don’t use! Total scam!: This app is such a scam! I try to use my own charging animation cause u can make one ur self and it won’t work at all, even the normal ones that are suggested
[R62] Charger 1/5 · US You have to pay for this Joke: I mean, if you’re right, we’re paying two dollars every month
[R74] Charging Fun Animation 1/5 · US This sucks: I thought I would be getting a cool app to make my batery cool for free then I got it and I had to pay money [̲̅$̲̅(̲̅ιοο̲̅)̲̅$̲̅] soo please stop scamming people saying your gonna give me a good app for free and then it costs money You guy are the worst
[R48] charging play 3/5 · GB Pausing.: This app is great however when i put my phone on charge, the lock screen comes up but the animation does not play half the time.
[R53] Charger 3/5 · US It doesn’t really work: It doesn’t do it on the lock screen. It only does it when you open your phone.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store