Do I really need a phone for every player?

Yes. Each person needs a smartphone with the Just Dance Now app installed to act as their individual controller. The app uses the phone's internal sensors to track their hand movements and score their performance.

Can I play this on my TV without a computer?

If your TV has a web browser or a built-in Chromecast/AirPlay, yes. You just navigate to justdancenow.com on the TV's browser and enter the room code shown on the screen into your phone app.

Is there a way to prevent my kid from seeing 'mature' songs?

The best way is to use the dedicated 'Kids' section within the app. While there isn't a hard parental lock on the main library, the Kids section is a separate area with simplified UI and totally clean tracks.

What happens if the phone screen turns off while dancing?

The app is designed to keep the screen awake, but if it does lock, the connection usually drops. It's best to check your phone's 'Auto-Lock' settings and set them to at least 5 minutes before a long dance session.

Just Dance Now – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Just Dance Now

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2014

82%

WISE Score

4.5

App Store

Turn your smartphone into a motion controller and your living room into a dance floor without needing a bulky console.

Just Dance Now

app

Everyone 10+, 2014

82%

WISE Score

4.5

App Store

Turn your smartphone into a motion controller and your living room into a dance floor without needing a bulky console.

Jump to

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Just Dance Now is the best way to burn off energy on a rainy day without buying a $500 console. It's a clever use of technology that turns the 'phone in the hand' problem into a fitness solution.

However, Ubisoft is very stingy with the free content. Expect your kids to hit a paywall within ten minutes. If you can get past the subscription nag, it's one of the most wholesome and active apps in the store. Just make sure they don't hurl your iPhone into the television.

Age Fit

Great for ages 6 and up. While there is a 'Kids Mode' for younger ones, the coordination required to hold a phone and follow a coach usually clicks best around first grade.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It is pure, high-energy fun that encourages physical movement and family participation. The 'Kids Mode' filters for age-appropriate choreography and themes.

Imaginative

While it is primarily a mimicry game, it encourages physical expression and rhythm. It doesn't offer much in the way of 'building' or 'creation,' but it gets kids into their bodies.

Safe

The app is technically safe but the monetization is aggressive. The 'one free song a day' limit is a major friction point designed to push subscriptions. Also, kids holding expensive smartphones while flailing around is a physical safety risk for the hardware.

Enriching

Excellent for cardiovascular health, motor coordination, and learning rhythm. It turns screen time into active time, which is a massive win.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Low barrier to entry because you don't need a PlayStation or Switch; any screen with a web browser works.
Genuine fitness disguised as a game, with calorie tracking that syncs to Google Fit.
Massive song library featuring over 500 tracks ranging from classic disco to K-Pop and modern chart-toppers.
Social party vibe allows an unlimited number of players to join the same 'room' using their own phones.

⚠

What to Watch For

The subscription model is annoying; without paying, you are essentially limited to one free song every 24 hours.
Mature lyrics exist in the main library; while 'Kids Mode' filters these, the standard catalog has plenty of 'radio edit' songs with suggestive themes.
Hardware hazards are real—invest in a very grippy phone case or a wrist strap, because kids will let go of the phone mid-swing.

Conversation Starters

"Which song has the most ridiculous choreography we can try together?"
"How does your body feel after three songs compared to sitting and playing a regular game?"
"Do you think the 'Dancer of the Week' is actually a better dancer, or just better at the game's mechanics?"
"If you could add any song to the game, what would it be and what would the dance look like?"

Deep Dive

The Console-Free Workaround

For years, Just Dance was the reason people kept their old Wii consoles plugged in. Just Dance Now successfully migrates that experience to the device everyone already has: the smartphone. By using the phone's accelerometer to track movement and syncing it to a web browser on a laptop or Smart TV, it replicates the motion-control magic remarkably well. It’s not perfect—sometimes the lag between the phone and the screen can be a vibe-killer—but for a casual party or a quick workout, it's more than sufficient.

The 'Kids Mode' Filter

The standard library is a bit of a minefield if you're strict about lyrics. You'll find everything from Lady Gaga to Eminem. Fortunately, the dedicated Kids Mode is well-curated with simpler choreography and songs that won't make you cringe. It’s worth steering younger children toward that section specifically to avoid the more 'club-centric' visuals of the main hits.

The Cost of the Groove

The main gripe is the 'VIP Pass.' The app is technically free, but the free experience is essentially a demo. You get a few 'coins' that refill slowly, effectively limiting you to one or two songs a day. If your kids really get into it, you'll end up looking at a subscription. Compared to a gym membership or a dance class, it's cheap; compared to 'free' games, it feels restrictive. Pro tip: If you're hosting a birthday party, you can buy a 24-hour pass for a few bucks rather than committing to a monthly bill.

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