Item: Dwarf Fortress Remote
Rating: 85
Author: Dinsun

Dinsun Review

First off, this isn't a game; it’s a client. You need a PC running the actual game to use it. But for what it is, it's brilliant. Anyone who’s played Dwarf Fortress knows the UI is a nightmare of ASCII and keyboard shortcuts. This app actually manages to make it readable and touch-friendly. The inclusion of tilesets and even a 3D visualizer is something I didn't think would work on a phone, but it does.

It’s not for everyone. If you don't already understand the complexity of Dwarf Fortress, this app won't help you. It’s a tool for the initiated. My only real complaint is that it relies on a server connection, so if your home PC goes down or your internet is spotty, you're out of luck. But for the dedicated overseer, this is a technical marvel that makes one of the world's most complex games portable.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Incredible touch optimization for a complex game
3D world visualizer is a great touch
Clean, customizable interface

Requires a PC server to function
Extreme learning curve (inherent to DF)
Subscription/Server setup can be a hurdle

Technical Report

Performance: Performance depends heavily on the host PC and network latency.

Accessibility:

Button Remapping

Audience Fit

Buy if: You are a die-hard Dwarf Fortress player who wants to play on the go.

Skip if: You don't own the PC version or prefer simple, self-contained mobile games.

Similar Games:

RimWorld
Prison Architect

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun - 40yo Male Conservative Critical Gamer
Hardware: iPad Pro 11-inch
Playtime: 50 hours
Status: Managed a 100-dwarf fortress remotely

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

1003660287

Free18+★3.3 143 reviews

Author : MIFKI PTY LTD

Pubish Date : Thu May 11 2017

Last Update Date : Thu Mar 26 2026

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 3.50Thu Mar 26 2026

Dwarf Fortress Remote is back! We may not support the latest DF version, but Dwarf Fortress 0.47.05 is still an epic game and DF Remote is still the best way to play it on the go! So we updated the app to support the latest devices and iOS versions, fixed a few issues, polished the look and dusted off our servers so that you can get back to mining, building and fighting those elves.
Strike the Earth!
Dwarf Fortress is a famous fantasy world simulation/management game from Bay 12 Games. This app allows you to play Fortress Mode remotely on your mobile device.
Dwarf Fortress is an open-ended fantasy world simulation/management game from Bay 12 Games, which is in constant development since 2002. In Fortress mode, player indirectly controls a group of dwarves, attempting to construct a successful and wealthy fortress. The game features a highly detailed procedurally generated fantasy world with multiple civilizations and wildlife, realistic geology, weather effects. You will have dozens of different building and items to construct, hundreds of materials, advanced military system, agriculture, sieges and underground monsters, diplomacy and trading.
ATTENTION: Internet connection is required to play. The original game with a plugin (both free) running at your home or on a cloud server will be required, visit mifki.com/df/setup for details. Alternatively, you can purchase a server subscription from within the app, in which case we will manage a server for you, visit mifki.com/df/subscription for details.
Visit bay12games.com/dwarves for full information about Dwarf Fortress. However, please report any issues with this application to mifki.com/df/support and NOT to the original game authors.
Requires iOS 14.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Dwarf Fortress is a famous fantasy world simulation/management game from Bay 12 Games. This app allows you to play Fortress Mode remotely on your mobile device.
Dwarf Fortress is an open-ended fantasy world simulation/management game from Bay 12 Games, which is in constant development since 2002. In Fortress mode, player indirectly controls a group of dwarves, attempting to construct a successful and wealthy fortress. The game features a highly detailed procedurally generated fantasy world with multiple civilizations and wildlife, realistic geology, weather effects. You will have dozens of different building and items to construct, hundreds of materials, advanced military system, agriculture, sieges and underground monsters, diplomacy and trading.
ATTENTION: Internet connection is required to play. The original game with a plugin (both free) running at your home or on a cloud server will be required, visit mifki.com/df/setup for details. Alternatively, you can purchase a server subscription from within the app, in which case we will manage a server for you, visit mifki.com/df/subscription for details.
Supported Dwarf Fortress version is 0.47.05.
Visit bay12games.com/dwarves for full information about Dwarf Fortress. However, please report any issues with this application to mifki.com/df/support and NOT to the original game authors.

Ratings & Reviews

3.3 out of 5 with 143 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 18+

Dwarf Fortress Remote is a dedicated client for the legendary simulation game 'Slaves to Armok: God of Blood Chapter II: Dwarf Fortress'. It allows players to connect to a remote server (either their own or a provided one) to play the full PC game on their iPhone or iPad. The app features a simplified, touch-friendly UI, support for graphics tilesets instead of just ASCII, and an optimized keyboard for command entry, bringing the depth of the world's most complex sim to a mobile format.