... likes playing something ['something' is usually a noun, but one cannot play a phone, and one cannot play a TV, or play a computer. People do play: games (e.g., card games), sports (e.g., football), musical instruments (e.g., piano).] So, in your example the preposition with is required, e.g., - play with your dog - play with your computer - play with your friends - play with your teammates Hope this helps....

Hi Helen, I'd say neither! Neither of those expressions are natural to me. I'd probably say, 'He is addicted to his phone'.

The only nouns which come directly after 'play' are games/sports, or musical instruments. A phone is neither of these, so you have to say 'with'.