Have you ever looked at your phone screen and thought it felt a little empty? Like something fun was missing while you scroll through apps, reply to messages, or wait for a game to load? That is exactly the gap that Shimeji Screen Buddies fills — and it does it in the most adorable way possible.
Shimeji Screen Buddies is a free Android app that brings tiny animated characters to life right on your phone screen. These little mascots walk, climb, jump, fall, and play on top of whatever app you are currently using. They are always there, doing their own little thing, adding a touch of personality and fun to your everyday phone experience.
With over 35 million downloads worldwide, Shimeji has become one of the most popular screen pet apps ever made. In this article, we will tell you everything about it — what it is, how it works, its best features, how to download it for free, pros and cons, and tips for getting the most out of it.
What Is Shimeji Screen Buddies?
Shimeji Screen Buddies is a personalization app developed by Digital Cosmos. It was first launched on the Google Play Store in December 2016 and has been steadily growing ever since, receiving regular updates and building a huge community of fans around the world.
The concept is simple but delightful. You choose a cute animated mascot from the app’s library, and that character then appears on top of your phone screen. The mascot moves around freely, climbs the edges of your screen, sits on top of your apps, falls down when you tilt your phone, and reacts when you tap or drag it. All of this happens in real time, on top of whatever else you are doing on your phone.
The latest version in 2026 is version 9.9, updated on January 26, 2026. It introduced a brand new animation engine, a character leveling system, and a Mushroom currency that lets you unlock premium features just by playing — without spending real money.
App Details:
- App Name: Shimeji Screen Buddies
- Developer: Digital Cosmos
- Latest Version: 9.9 (2026)
- File Size: Around 12 to 25 MB
- Price: Free to download
- Requires: Android 8.0 or higher
- Downloads: Over 35 million worldwide
- Available on: Google Play Store
How Does Shimeji Screen Buddies Work?
Once you install the app and pick your first mascot, Shimeji runs quietly in the background as an overlay on your screen. This means the character appears on top of all your other apps — whether you are reading the news, scrolling through social media, or watching a video.
The mascots have a set of built-in animations and behaviors. They walk across the bottom of your screen, crawl up the sides, hang from the top, do little jumps and falls, and sometimes just sit there looking cute. Each character has its own unique set of moves that get unlocked as you level them up.
You can interact with your Shimeji directly. Tap it and it reacts. Drag it across the screen and toss it — it will bounce around and find its footing again. The more you interact with it, the more XP it earns, which helps it level up faster and unlock new animations.
The app also supports running up to 10 mascots on your screen at the same time, so if you want a whole crew of little characters roaming your phone, you can absolutely do that.
Key Features of Shimeji Screen Buddies 2026
New Animation Engine:
The 2026 version of Shimeji was rebuilt with a completely new animation engine. Mascot movements are now smoother, more detailed, and more responsive than ever before. Characters move with more natural physics, which makes the whole experience feel more alive and polished.
Character XP and Leveling System:
Each mascot you own earns XP simply by being active on your screen. As your character levels up, it unlocks new animations, moves, and behaviors. This adds a nice sense of progression — your mascot literally grows and evolves the longer you use it.
Mushroom Currency — Unlock Everything for Free:
One of the biggest updates in the latest version is the Mushroom currency system. You earn Mushrooms automatically while your screen is on and your Shimeji is active. These Mushrooms can be used to unlock characters, animations, and premium upgrades. Payments are completely optional — everything in the app can be earned just by playing.
Up to 10 Mascots at Once:
You can have up to ten Shimeji characters running on your screen simultaneously. Whether you want a single companion or a whole playground of tiny characters bouncing around your phone, the choice is yours.
Full Custom Editor:
Shimeji includes a built-in editor that lets you create your own mascot from scratch. You can import your own artwork, recolor existing characters, and design custom animations. This is a fantastic feature for creative users who want a truly personal screen buddy.
Import PC Shimeji Archives:
The 2026 update added improved support for importing PC Shimeji ZIP files. If you have old Shimeji packs from the classic desktop version, you can now bring them into the mobile app and enjoy those characters on your phone too.
Pause and Play Controls:
You can hide or show your mascots with a single tap from the notification panel or the main screen. This is very useful when you need your full screen for something important, like a work meeting or a game.
No Login Required:
Just like the best entertainment apps, Shimeji does not require you to create an account or sign in. Download it, pick a character, and your screen buddy is ready to go in seconds.
How to Download Shimeji Screen Buddies for Free on Android
Downloading Shimeji on your Android phone is very simple since it is available on the official Google Play Store. Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Open the Google Play Store on your Android phone. Make sure your device is running Android 8.0 or higher.
Step 2: In the search bar, type Shimeji Screen Buddies and look for the app by Digital Cosmos. The icon is a small cute character with a distinctive art style.
Step 3: Tap the Install button. The app is around 12 MB so it will download quickly even on a mobile data connection.
Step 4: Once installed, open the app. You will be taken to the mascot library where you can browse available characters and pick your first Shimeji.
Step 5: Tap on a character you like and select Add to Screen. The app will ask for overlay permission — this is necessary so the mascot can appear on top of your other apps. Grant the permission and your Shimeji will appear on your screen immediately.
Step 6: Start interacting with your mascot. Tap it, drag it, toss it around, and watch it react. The more you interact, the more XP it earns.
That is all it takes. The whole process from download to having an active screen buddy takes less than two minutes.
Shimeji Screen Buddies vs Similar Apps
There are a few other screen pet apps available for Android. Here is how Shimeji compares to the most popular alternatives.
Shimeji Screen Buddies has over 35 million downloads, a rich character library, a custom editor, and a free-to-play unlock system. It runs on Android 8.0 and above and requires no login.
Kawaii Shimeji Screen Pet is another popular option focused on anime-style characters. It is also free but has a smaller character library and fewer customization options compared to Shimeji.
My Talking Tom is a different kind of screen pet experience where you raise and care for a single virtual cat. It is more of a game than an overlay app and does not run on top of your other apps like Shimeji does.
Desktop Goose is a fun and chaotic PC-focused app that is less polished on mobile. It is entertaining but far less refined and customizable than Shimeji.
Overall, Shimeji Screen Buddies stands out because of its combination of a large free character library, meaningful customization, the leveling system, and the ability to use it passively on top of any app without disrupting your normal phone usage.
Pros and Cons of Shimeji Screen Buddies
What We Love:
The app is completely free and does not force you to pay for anything — every feature can be unlocked by simply using the app and earning Mushrooms. The new animation engine in version 9.9 makes characters look noticeably more fluid and expressive. The custom editor is a standout feature that most similar apps do not offer, giving creative users a truly personalized experience. Support for PC Shimeji imports is a great addition that brings a classic desktop experience to mobile. Running up to 10 characters at once is genuinely fun and adds a lot of personality to your screen.
What Could Be Better:
Some long-time users have expressed disappointment that the latest update removed a lot of fan-made and community-created characters from the library. The original Shimeji community built a huge collection of custom characters over the years, and their removal has been one of the most common complaints in recent reviews. The in-app currency can feel slow to accumulate for users who want to unlock premium characters quickly, even though everything is technically free. Battery usage can increase if you have many mascots running simultaneously, particularly on older devices.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Shimeji Screen Buddies
Start with one or two characters before adding more. This keeps performance smooth and helps you get used to the app without your screen feeling too busy.
Interact with your Shimeji regularly by tapping and dragging it. This earns bonus XP and helps your character level up faster, which unlocks more animations sooner.
Use the pause control from the notification bar when you need your full screen. This is great for watching videos, playing games, or doing anything where the mascot would be distracting.
Explore the custom editor even if you are not an artist. The recoloring tool lets you change your mascot’s colors easily without needing any design skills, and it makes your character feel more unique.
If you have old PC Shimeji ZIP files saved from the desktop version, import them using the new improved import feature in version 9.9. This is a great way to bring back your favorite characters from the classic era of Shimeji.
Check the app regularly for new characters since the development team adds original mascots to the library on a frequent basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is Shimeji Screen Buddies completely free?
Yes. Shimeji Screen Buddies is free to download from the Google Play Store and all premium features can be unlocked for free by earning Mushrooms through normal use. Payments are completely optional and only speed up the process.
Question 2: Does Shimeji Screen Buddies drain my battery?
The app is lightweight at around 12 MB and is designed to run efficiently. Using one or two mascots has a minimal battery impact. However, running many characters simultaneously or leaving the app running for very long periods can increase battery usage on older or lower-spec devices.
Question 3: Can I make my own Shimeji character?
Yes. The app includes a full character editor that lets you import your own artwork and create custom mascots. You can also recolor existing characters to make them look unique to you.
Question 4: What Android version do I need?
Shimeji Screen Buddies requires Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher. Most Android phones released in the last five years will meet this requirement.
Question 5: Is Shimeji Screen Buddies the same as the Simeji keyboard app?
No. These are two completely different apps. Shimeji Screen Buddies is an animated mascot app by Digital Cosmos. The Simeji keyboard is a separate Japanese input app made by a different company. They share a similar name but have nothing to do with each other.
Final Thoughts
Shimeji Screen Buddies is one of those rare apps that does something genuinely fun and unique without asking you to pay for it. The idea of having a tiny animated companion living on your phone screen sounds simple, but once you try it, it becomes surprisingly hard to imagine your screen without one.
The 2026 updates have made the experience better than ever. The new animation engine, the leveling system, the Mushroom unlock currency, and the improved import tools show that the developers are actively working to improve the app and listen to their community.
Whether you are looking for something cute to brighten up your daily phone use, a creative outlet through character customization, or just something a little different from the usual apps on your home screen, Shimeji Screen Buddies is absolutely worth downloading.
Head to the Google Play Store, search for Shimeji Screen Buddies, and install it for free today. Your new tiny companion is waiting.
