25 Best Offline Mobile Games

25 Best Offline Mobile Games for Airplane Mode in 2025 (Android, iPhone & iPad)

The dreaded “Please enable airplane mode” announcement doesn’t have to signal the end of your entertainment. In fact, it can be the beginning of an immersive, uninterrupted gaming session high above the clouds. Whether you’re facing a long-haul flight, a daily commute through tunnels, or simply want to save data, having a library of incredible offline mobile games is essential for any smartphone user.

This curated guide for 2025 will showcase the absolute best games you can play on your Android phone, iPhone, or iPad without a single bar of signal. We’ve focused on depth, quality, and pure enjoyment to ensure your time in airplane mode is something you look forward to. From deep narrative adventures and brain-teasing puzzles to endless runners and strategic masterpieces, these titles represent the pinnacle of offline gaming on the go.

Why Offline Mobile Games Are a Travel Essential

Relying on an internet connection for fun is a gamble when traveling. Unstable airport Wi-Fi, expensive roaming charges, and the simple fact of being 30,000 feet in the air make offline-capable games a non-negotiable part of your travel preparation. The best mobile games for travel offer:

• Zero Latency: No lag, no dropped connections, just smooth gameplay.

• Battery Efficiency: They don’t constantly search for a signal, conserving precious battery life.

• Deep Immersion: Without notifications and messages popping up, you can truly lose yourself in the game’s world.

• Universal Accessibility: Perfect for any situation, not just flights—subways, remote areas, or just avoiding data overages.

The Ultimate List: 25 Best Offline Games for iPhone & Android

We’ve categorized this list to help you find the perfect game for your mood, whether you have five minutes or five hours to spare.

Category 1: Immersive RPGs & Adventure Games

For those who want to get lost in another world for the duration of their flight.

1. Pascal’s Wager

A stunningly dark and challenging action RPG often hailed as the mobile equivalent of Dark Souls or Bloodborne. It features console-quality graphics, a deep combat system, and a hauntingly beautiful world to explore. This is a must-play for any serious gamer looking for a hardcore offline adventure game.

• Perfect for: Players seeking a deep, challenging, and narrative-driven experience.

• Key Features: Console-like graphics, intense boss battles, multiple playable characters.

2. 9th Dawn III

This game is a hidden gem—a massive open-world RPG with old-school graphics but a surprisingly modern and deep system. It combines dungeon crawling, monster catching (over 280 creatures!), and a huge world to explore. The sense of discovery and progression is perfect for a long flight.

• Perfect for: Fans of classic open-world RPGs like The Elder Scrolls.

• Key Features: Huge open world, crafting, fishing, hundreds of weapons and spells.

3. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR)

A legendary console RPG masterfully ported to mobile. Its groundbreaking story, memorable characters, and impactful choices still hold up today. If you want to get lost in the best the Star Wars universe has to offer, this is it. A full playthrough takes dozens of hours, making it the ultimate offline game for long flights.

• Perfect for: Star Wars fans and anyone who loves deep, choice-driven stories.

• Key Features: Epic narrative, moral alignment system, turn-based tactical combat.

4. Dead Cells

This award-winning roguelike action-platformer is a perfect fit for mobile. The “one more run” addiction is real, and its tight controls and fast-paced combat make it incredibly engaging. Each run through its ever-changing castle is different, ensuring endless replayability for your airplane mode sessions.

• Perfect for: Gamers who love challenging, fast-paced action and high replay value.

• Key Features: Roguelike gameplay, smooth combat, countless weapons and abilities.

Category 2: Puzzle & Strategy Masterpieces

Engage your brain with these critically acclaimed puzzle and strategy titles.

5. Monument Valley 1 & 2

These are works of art you play. Based on impossible geometry and optical illusions, the puzzles are mind-bending yet accessible. The beautiful, serene aesthetic and soothing soundtrack make them a calming yet stimulating experience—perfect for cruising altitude.

• Perfect for: Players who appreciate art, design, and elegant puzzle-solving.

• Key Features: Stunning visuals, innovative perspective-based puzzles, peaceful ambiance.

6. The Room series (The Room, Old Sins, etc.)

A best-in-class series of 3D puzzle games. You interact with mysterious boxes and contraptions, pulling levers, turning keys, and uncovering secrets with incredibly tactile and satisfying mechanics. The atmosphere is thick with mystery, making them utterly absorbing offline puzzle games.

• Perfect for: Anyone who loves tactile, intricate puzzles and a mysterious atmosphere.

• Key Features: Incredible touch controls, detailed 3D environments, engaging story.

7. Slay the Spire

This game perfected the deck-building roguelike genre. You choose a character, build a deck of cards through strategic choices, and battle your way up the Spire. The strategic depth is immense, and no two runs are ever the same. It’s easy to learn but impossible to put down.

• Perfect for: Strategy enthusiasts and players who love deep, tactical gameplay.

• Key Features: Deep deck-building, multiple unique characters, high replayability.

8. Kingdom Rush Series (Origins, Frontiers, Vengeance)

The pinnacle of mobile tower defense. With charming graphics, clever level design, and a huge variety of towers and heroes, these games offer countless hours of strategic fun. Deciding where to place your towers and how to upgrade them is deeply satisfying.

• Perfect for: Fans of strategic planning and tower defense games.

• Key Features: Addictive tower defense gameplay, humorous style, heroic abilities.

Category 3: Endless Runners & Arcade Fun

Perfect for quick sessions or if you need a break from deeper games.

9. Alto’s Odyssey

The sequel to the beloved Alto’s Adventure, this game is less of a traditional “runner” and more of a “zen” experience. You sandboard down beautiful, ever-changing dunes, performing tricks and chasing runaway llamas. The soundtrack and visuals are incredibly peaceful.

• Perfect for: A relaxing, visually stunning experience that requires minimal focus.

• Key Features: Zen Mode, beautiful dynamic weather, simple one-touch controls.

10. Subway Surfers

The iconic endless runner that started a trend. Its vibrant colors, simple swipe controls, and constant updates (which you can download on Wi-Fi before your trip) have kept it relevant for years. It’s the perfect game for a quick, fun, and high-score-chasing session.

• Perfect for: A classic, pick-up-and-play arcade experience.

• Key Features: Simple controls, colorful worlds, regular new content.

11. Sonic Forces: Speed Battle

A competitive endless runner featuring a huge roster of Sonic characters. While it has online PvP, it features a full offline mode with events and challenges you can play anytime. The speed and action are pure Sonic.

• Perfect for: Sonic fans and players who love fast-paced running action.

• Key Features: Offline events, multiple characters, high-speed gameplay.

Category 4: Simulation & Management Games

Build, manage, and create your own world from the palm of your hand.

12. Stardew Valley

This isn’t just a game; it’s a lifestyle. You inherit a run-down farm and must turn it into a thriving homestead. But it’s so much more: you can mine, fish, fight monsters, cook, and befriend the townsfolk. The depth is astounding, and it will make a 5-hour flight feel like 5 minutes.

• Perfect for: Anyone who wants a deep, charming, and utterly absorbing life sim.

• Key Features: Farming, relationships, mining, fishing, incredible depth.

13. RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic

The beloved PC classic is perfectly preserved on mobile. Build the theme park of your dreams, manage finances, and keep your guests happy. The isometric graphics and intuitive touch controls make it a fantastic offline game for iPad and large-screen phones.

• Perfect for: Nostalgic gamers and creative builders.

• Key Features: Classic gameplay, sandbox mode, scenario challenges.

14. The Escapists 2

A clever strategy game where your goal is to break out of prison. You’ll need to craft tools, learn routines, and avoid guards in this top-down sandbox. It requires careful planning and observation, making it a deeply engaging offline strategy game.

• Perfect for: Players who enjoy strategic planning and sandbox puzzle-solving.

• Key Features: Prison escape theme, crafting, multiple prisons.

Category 5: Casual & Hyper-Casual Gems

For when you want something simple, satisfying, and fun.

15. Crossy Road

The modern take on Frogger. With its blocky, colorful aesthetic and a huge cast of unlockable characters, it remains incredibly addictive. The core loop of hopping across roads, rivers, and train tracks is timeless.

• Perfect for: Ultra-casual, high-score-chasing fun.

• Key Features: Endless hopping, quirky characters, simple one-touch gameplay.

16. Plants vs. Zombies 2

The king of tower defense for a reason. It’s charming, funny, and strategically deep. With dozens of plants to unlock and hundreds of levels, it offers a massive amount of content that is completely playable offline on Android and iPhone.

• Perfect for: Families and players of all ages who enjoy light strategy.

• Key Features: Charming humor, diverse plants and zombies, many worlds to explore.

17. Threes!

A simple number-combining puzzle game that is pure elegance. Slide tiles around the board to combine 1s and 2s into 3s, and then combine multiples of three. It’s easy to learn, difficult to master, and incredibly moreish.

• Perfect for: Puzzle purists who want an elegant, numbers-based challenge.

• Key Features: Simple rules, deep strategy, clean design.

Category 6: Ports of Console & PC Classics

Experience the best of gaming history, optimized for your mobile device.

18. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

The massive open-world epic is faithfully recreated on mobile. You can lose yourself in the fictional state of San Andreas for your entire flight and beyond. The story, the world, the radio stations—it’s all here and fully playable without an internet connection.

• Perfect for: Players who want a massive, action-packed open world to explore.

• Key Features: Huge open world, epic story, classic gameplay.

19. XCOM: Enemy Within

This is the full, deep, and punishingly difficult tactical strategy game. You command a squad of soldiers fighting an alien invasion, managing your base, researching tech, and permadeath of your favorite soldiers. It’s a deep, strategic timesink.

• Perfect for: Tactical strategy fans who want a deep and challenging experience.

• Key Features: Turn-based tactics, permadeath, base management.

20. Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions

Widely considered one of the greatest strategy RPGs of all time. The deep, political story and incredibly customizable job system have stood the test of time. This mobile port is the perfect way to experience this classic.

• Perfect for: Fans of deep, story-driven tactical RPGs.

• Key Features: Epic story, deep job system, grid-based tactical combat.

Category 7: Hidden Gems & Unique Experiences

Don’t overlook these incredible and unique titles.

21. Data Wing

A surprisingly touching story wrapped around a fantastic top-down racing game. You control a small ship that handles with a beautiful inertia-driven feel. The story, told through messages from your “Mother,” is heartfelt and unique. And it’s completely free with no ads.

• Perfect for: Players who want a unique story with fantastic arcade gameplay.

• Key Features: Great touch controls, emotional story, completely free.

22. Shattered Pixel Dungeon

A brutally difficult but fair roguelike that is endlessly replayable. Each level of the dungeon is randomly generated, and you must manage your resources carefully to survive. The community loves it for its balanced design and constant updates.

• Perfect for: Hardcore roguelike fans who love a challenge.

• Key Features: Permadeath, random levels, four different heroes.

23. Oxenfree

A supernatural thriller graphic adventure game. You play as a teenager who accidentally opens a ghostly rift. The dialogue system is natural, your choices matter, and the story is compelling and creepy. It’s like playing through a great teen supernatural movie.

• Perfect for: Players who love narrative-driven games with a spooky vibe.

• Key Features: Branching dialogue, supernatural mystery, beautiful art style.

24. Gris

An absolute visual and auditory masterpiece. This platformer is more about evoking emotion than challenging gameplay. You explore a world dealing with loss, with the color and music slowly returning as you progress. It’s a short but unforgettable experience.

• Perfect for: An artistic, emotional, and calming experience.

• Key Features: Breathtaking visuals, incredible soundtrack, emotional journey.

25. Bloons TD 6

The latest and greatest in the long-running tower defense series. With 3D graphics, multiple upgrade paths for each tower, and hilarious monkey heroes, it offers an incredible amount of content and challenge for a mobile strategy game.

• Perfect for: Tower defense fans who want immense depth and content.

• Key Features: Dozens of towers, multiple maps, co-op and versus modes (requires online, but main game is offline).

Pro Tips for Offline Mobile Gaming in 2025

1. Download Before You Go: This is crucial. Always download the game (and any necessary updates or additional files) while on a Wi-Fi connection before you need to go offline.

2. Test It: Launch the game once while online to ensure all assets are loaded and any initial authentication is complete.

3. Battery Life: Offline games are kinder on your battery than streaming video. For extra-long trips, a high-capacity power bank is a traveler’s best friend.

4. Controller Support: Many of these titles (like Dead Cells, Pascal’s Wager, and XCOM) support Bluetooth controllers, elevating the experience on an iPad or large-screen phone.

Conclusion: Your Flight Awaits

With this list of the 25 best offline mobile games for 2025, your next journey doesn’t have to be a digital dead zone. It can be an opportunity to delve into rich stories, solve intricate puzzles, or achieve a new high score. From the deep farms of Stardew Valley to the challenging dungeons of Shattered Pixel Dungeon, there’s a perfect Android and iPhone game for every type of traveler. So before your next trip, build your perfect offline gaming library, switch on airplane mode, and enjoy uninterrupted play.