Friends

What Friends is

Friends is a social AI companion app for Android and iOS, where people can raise virtual pets on their own or with real-life friends. Its companions have different roles: Pengu is shaped by two people through conversations, choices, and shared interactions; Mellow offers reminders and encouragement for studying, homework, and daily tasks; and Bao supports self-care, healthy habits, and well-being. Friends also lets users share progress, react, give gifts, and celebrate milestones together. Companion appearance can be changed with outfits, accessories, wallpapers, themed rooms, and visual upgrades. Home-screen widgets provide a way to check in on and interact with Pengu, Bao, or Mellow. The maker says companions learn from interactions, adapt to users’ habits, and remember past moments. The app is free to download and use, and the maker says its main features will remain free. Pengu Pass is an optional weekly subscription; its price varies by country and appears in the app. The current fee and renewal date appear in device account settings. The terms require users to be at least 13, with additional parental-consent rules for users in the EEA. The privacy policy describes security measures including TLS encryption for data sent through online services.

Who it suits

Friends suits people who want a virtual pet they can raise alone or share with a real-life friend. Its Mellow, Bao, and Pengu companions also suit users looking for study reminders, self-care support, or a shared companion shaped by two people.

Limits

The maker says Friends’ main features will remain free. Pengu Pass is an optional paid weekly subscription, with a price that varies by country and is shown in the app.

Getting started

1. Visit the Friends website.
2. Download the app for Android or iOS.
3. Choose a companion: Pengu, Mellow, or Bao.
4. Raise a companion alone or with a real-life friend, and personalize it with available items.
5. Use home-screen widgets to check in, or share progress and celebrate milestones.
6. If wanted, review Pengu Pass and its price in the app.

Verdict

Choose Friends if you want a customizable virtual companion, especially one you can shape with a friend, and value its study or self-care companions. Its main features are free to use. Consider whether the optional weekly Pengu Pass subscription and its variable price fit your needs.