# Virtual Families — Adopt a family in your pocket! > Real-time virtual family simulation game with life management and random events. (iPhone/iPad app by LDW Software, LLC.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-families/id320300350 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [LDW Software, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/297606729) - Category: Games, Entertainment, Family, Simulation - Price: $1.99 - Rating: 4.20/5 from 3,083 App Store ratings · 519 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 9+ - Requires: iOS 8.0 · 149 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2011-11-02 - Data updated: 2026-08-29 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-families/id320300350/reviews.md ## What is Virtual Families? Virtual Families is a casual family sim that runs in true real time. Adopt a little person from the thousands of choices of little people who live inside your iPhone. Encourage them to work in their chosen career to earn money for necessities and luxuries, help them choose a suitable mate, start and raise a family, let them kick back with a variety of leisure activities, and take care of and improve their home. Along the way, there will be many different random events to respond to, house malfunctions to repair, and mini-puzzles to solve, all of them adding an unexpected element to the daily routine. This is the same sensational game that became a smash Windows and Mac hit! The game continues to progress in true real time, even when your iPhone is turned off, so don’t forget to check in regularly to care for your little people. More about Virtual Families: * Real-time game play, with new surprises every time you turn on the game! * Fully trainable people: shape and adapt their personalities through praising and scolding! * Marry for love; marry for money – the choice is yours. * Raise children and enjoy them as they grow up and go off to college. * Dynamic illness system. Play doctor! * Solve hidden puzzles around the house. * Improve the house and pass it to successive generations. * Random Events: unique and unpredictable email and house events that bring everything from the tax man to free stuff! * Collectibles: dozens of unique collectibles for your family to collect and sell. * Trophies: over 100 trophies that can be earned for almost every area of game play. * Weather ranging from sunny days to thunderstorms. Recommended for people who enjoy Virtual Villagers, and other life sims! LDW games have been awarded with: * Sim Game of the Year – Game Tunnel * The Zeebys – Gamezebo * Parents Choice Recommended Award * iParenting Media Award Check out our other hit games: Virtual Villagers: The Lost Children, Virtual Villagers, and Fish Tycoon! ## Key features - Real-time gameplay - Adopt and raise virtual people - Career and relationship management - Home improvement - Random events and puzzles - Collectibles and trophies ## Chart rankings - #41 in Top Paid · Family (US App Store) - #136 in Top Paid · Simulation (US App Store) ## What do users think of Virtual Families? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🌟 Nostalgic and addictive gameplay - 👪 Enjoyable family-oriented experience - 💰 Ability to accumulate wealth over generations **Cons** - 🤖 Lack of customization options for characters - 🏠 Limited house upgrades and interactions - 🕰️ Repetitive and gets boring over time **Commonly reported bugs** - Game crashes or resets progress unexpectedly - Store inventory not refreshing as expected **Most requested features** - Ability to name and customize characters - More house upgrades and furnishings - Expanded interactions with family members and outside world - Periodic updates to add new content and features ## Recent user reviews (10 of 519) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-families/id320300350/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Why can’t they live forever *2025-12-26, version 1.2.2* This game is sooooooooooooooooo bad. It’s like you have to keep on it 24\7 and if you don’t then all of your family members will die and you will have to start over with a new family. This game deserves a better game people that won’t die every time you get back on it the creators who made this game are so dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb. Don’t give this a good review because it is really bad. If you don’t want your Digital Family to die than do not get this game. This is the worst game in the world I do not recommend it ### 3/5 — Feedback *2025-10-15, version 1.2.2* I think that you should add robbers and have in game money paychecks every in game day plus able to chose a house and not just let people figure it out on there own for what to do if there is a leaky sink!!😡and some people want updates to!!!! And a bigger house! And private bedrooms for each kid! And some of us want the RED ball but we’re on our iPads so big whope!!!! ### 5/5 — i love this game *2025-07-14, version 1.2.2* i just remembered this game existed so i started playing again! so happy to see its still avalible to play 😊 ### 4/5 — Needs an update! *2024-12-23, version 1.2.2* I like this game very much but I think it’s time for an update I think it would be nice if we made are own characters like hair color eye color and how are hair looks skin color how we want are outfit to be and for all ages as well, and an open world like schools, jobs, store, parks, other stuff like that and add more stuff to the house, and WE PICK THE NAMES, the names are so bad I can’t even pronounce them… so PLEASE LET US PICK THE NAMES FOR THE KIDS AND PARENTS! (Thank for this time I hope this is an update!) ### 2/5 — OMG!!!! IT's a NO WONDER WHY....... *2024-11-20, version 1.2.2* This version has literally NOTHING. You can upgrade your 3 rooms.. but that's it!!! No buying furniture.. no decorating... no challenges... NOTHING! I thought they updated all this OUT ! Apparently... all the FUN stuff can be done in VIRTUAL FAMILIES 2 !!!! I wanted to keep this one going... I have SO much money, the amount doesn't even fit in the space showing income! But all u do is pick up socks and throw candy wrappers away. SMH... partially MY fault for not catching this earlier... no wonder there are NO ADS.... don't get me wrong.. it's a fun game IF you play the OTHER VERSION... just don't waste your time on this one!!! You will be sadly disappointed. ### 1/5 — This game isnt letting me see the full next genration *2024-07-22, version 1.2.2* i cant pick my next generation,they only give you two people to pick from,can you guys give us more to pick from,from the next generation ### 1/5 — Constant Restarts *2024-04-19, version 1.2.2* I hate having to restart my game all of the time, I get so far and my whole family dies and I have to start all over again, so I don’t bother adding new stuff etc anymore, because once my family dies, I have to start from scratch, I only play to kill time, this game needs some serious updates. ### 5/5 — This is my favorite game EVER brings back nostalgia *2024-04-08, version 1.2.2* Thank you for creating this beautiful game years ago last day at work!! 🥹 Out of all the virtual families games this one will always be the best for me. The art style, music, virtual store, hidden stuff like the door knob to the shed :) , an more!! This game makes it feel like your really caring for a family genuinely. I played this game when i was 8 years old an im now 22 still playing crazy!! I love to feel the nostalgia of being a kid again an playing this amazing game.🥰 Never take this off the app store please 🙏 an if u make a virtual families 4 consider this game your inspiration 😛✨ ### 3/5 — NEEDS UPDATED *2023-06-11, version 1.2.2* I love this game. However, I have more money than options to spend. I haven’t had my adult work in over 6 generations, my fridge is full 3000+ units, all upgrades complete. I just wish there were some more options. OR like in VF 3, have a hotel or bed and breakfast to travel too, or even the RV! ### 5/5 — Update *2023-05-20, version 1.2.2* Update this version of the game ! Add things to do and plenty or more interactions ## Frequently asked questions about Virtual Families ### What is Virtual Families? Virtual Families is a casual simulation game where you adopt and manage a virtual person's life. You guide them to find a mate, start a family, pursue careers, and improve their home, all in real-time. ### How does the real-time gameplay work? The game progresses in true real-time, meaning events continue to happen even when your device is turned off. You'll need to check in regularly to care for your virtual family and respond to their needs and any unexpected occurrences. ### What kind of events can happen in the game? The game features many random events, including house malfunctions that need repair, mini-puzzles to solve, and unique email and house events. These can range from unexpected bills to surprising free items, adding an element of unpredictability to daily life. ### Can I customize my virtual family? Yes, the people in the game are fully trainable. You can shape and adapt their personalities through praising and scolding them. You also have choices in who they marry and can raise children who will eventually go off to college. ### Is this game free to play? Based on the provided information, this application is a paid game. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a one-time purchase model. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.2.2 — 2017-10-19 This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included. Hello Virtual Families fans! We've updated the award-winning, original Virtual Families to support the latest devices and iOS versions! With millions of downloads worldwide, we're happy to ensure you can continue to play your favorite apps on your new devices. Revisit the classic Virtual Families today, and build a multi-generational home for the tiny family that lives inside your pocket! If you enjoy the Virtual Families series, don't forget to check out our other titles: Virtual Families 2, Virtual Villagers (all 5 chapters!), Fish Tycoon, and Virtual Town. ### 1.2.1 — 2017-09-21 Hello Virtual Families fans! We've updated the award-winning, original Virtual Families to support the latest devices and iOS versions! With millions of downloads worldwide, we're happy to ensure you can continue to play your favorite apps on your new devices. Revisit the classic Virtual Families today, and build a multi-generational home for the tiny family that lives inside your pocket! If you enjoy the Virtual Families series, don't forget to check out our other titles: Virtual Families 2, Virtual Villagers (all 5 chapters!), Fish Tycoon, and Virtual Town. ### 1.1.2 — 2011-08-31 The game now gets dark at night! Improved icon Links to Twitter and Facebook Added link to browse our other games ### 1.1.1 — 2010-08-03 What's new in 1.1.1: - Additional improvements in memory management and performance. - Fix for handling device orientation when the game starts up - Fix for kids getting stuck in the swimming pool ### 1.1.0 — 2010-07-05 Improved memory utilization to reduce performance issues and crashing. Resolved issue with missing images (white boxes) in iOS 4. Additional fixes to savegame management. ## Apps similar to Virtual Families | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Town City - Building Simulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/town-city-building-simulator/id1337018789) | 4.7 (1,461) | Free | Games | | [Home Street: Virtual House Sim](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/home-street-virtual-house-sim/id1220091672) | 4.6 (35,576) | Free | Games | | [Family Life!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/family-life/id6449919224) | 4.4 (42,111) | Free | Games | | [Pocket Love!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-love/id1575412509) | 4.7 (247,554) | Free | Games | | [Real Mother Sim - Dream Family](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-mother-sim-dream-family/id1519671823) | 4.2 (10,427) | Free | Games | | [Virtual Mom - Dream Family Sim](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-mom-dream-family-sim/id1461746895) | 4.3 (26,539) | Free | Games | ## More apps by LDW Software, LLC - [Fish Tycoon](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fish-tycoon/id297606726) - [Fish Tycoon Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fish-tycoon-lite/id298856977) - [Virtual Villagers 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-villagers-2/id306610000) - [Virtual Villagers 2 Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-villagers-2-lite/id308377432) - [Virtual Families Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-families-lite/id323390111) All apps by LDW Software, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/297606729 ## Related topics [swamp family](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/swamp-family) · [virtual families community](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/virtual-families-community) · [virtual families lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/virtual-families-lite) · [wealthy family network](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/wealthy-family-network) · [happy family club](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/happy-family-club) · [virtual families](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/virtual-families) · [peek a boo family time](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/peek-a-boo-family-time) · [virtual family](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/virtual-family) · [my virtual family](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/my-virtual-family) · [family first as](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/family-first-as) · [virtual families our new home](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/virtual-families-our-new-home) · [psn family](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/psn-family) · [virtual family trip to beach](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/virtual-family-trip-to-beach) · [v families](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/v-families) · [virtual family \| dream house](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/virtual-family-dream-house) · [virtual reality family](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/virtual-reality-family) · [host family](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/host-family) · [xuno family](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/xuno-family) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*