Best Offline Games for Android and iPhone (No Wi-Fi Needed)

Nothing ruins a flight like opening a game and seeing "No connection". Plenty of popular games quietly need the internet to load, save or show ads. The games below are built to play properly offline.

Before you go offline: a quick checklist

1. Open the game once while online. Many games download extra content or verify your purchase on first launch.
2. Finish any updates in the Play Store or App Store before you leave.
3. Turn on airplane mode and test it at home. If it still starts and lets you play, you are good to go.
4. Charge up. Offline does not mean low power; 3D games still drain the battery.

Best offline games

Stardew Valley

The whole single-player game works offline: farming, fishing, mining, festivals and relationships. A perfect long-haul flight game because one in-game day takes about a quarter of an hour, so you can stop at natural breaks.

Mini Metro

Design subway networks for real cities. Rounds are short and the minimalist look is easy on the eyes in a dark cabin.

Slay the Spire

Endless replay value with no connection required. Every run takes thirty to sixty minutes and can be paused at any point.

Shattered Pixel Dungeon

A deep, free dungeon crawler that never needs the internet and never shows ads on Android. The download is small, so it is also a good choice for older or low-storage phones.

Monument Valley and Monument Valley 2

Calm, beautiful puzzle games that you can finish in an afternoon. Ideal for a shorter trip.

Alto's Odyssey

One-touch sandboarding that plays offline. Without a connection, ads simply do not load, so the experience is often calmer in airplane mode.

Minecraft

Creative and survival worlds work fully offline. Multiplayer servers and the Marketplace need a connection.

Subway Surfers

The classic endless runner still works without a connection. Daily challenges and some rewards need internet, but the core running does not.

Games that look offline but are not

Some well-known games need a connection even for single-player play, usually because they save progress to a server or run live events. Examples include most gacha and online battle games, like Genshin Impact, Clash Royale and Brawl Stars, and location games such as Pokémon GO. They are great games, just not for the plane.

Tips to save battery while gaming offline

• Lower screen brightness and turn off vibration in the game settings.
• Close other apps running in the background.
• Choose 2D games such as Mini Metro or Shattered Pixel Dungeon for long trips; 3D games use more power.

Looking for more ideas? See our list of the best mobile games or our relaxing casual games.