What comes to mind when you think of offline games for iPhone or iPad? Like most people, you’ll probably say basic or childish. However, offline doesn’t have to mean basic. While multiplayer shooters and open-world RPGs need an internet connection to stream assets and sync data, there are plenty of titles that deliver great gameplay without ever going online.
Whether flying, commuting, or just saving data, these offline games are worth keeping on your device.
1. Balatro
Balatro will feel like you’re playing poker with the most random user on Earth. This roguelike deck-builder uses traditional cards, but the twist is that it layers on power-ups, multipliers, and chain reactions that reward risk-taking and planning. It doesn’t explain much upfront, but that’s part of the appeal. You can easily lose hours experimenting.
2. Monument Valley 3
Let’s make one thing clear: Monument Valley isn’t your average puzzle game. It’s visual storytelling in motion that’s built on shifting geometry and emotional silence. Each level plays like a miniature sculpture, and the puzzles will ask you to look at things from different angles—literally.
3. Stardew Valley
There’s a reason Stardew Valley keeps showing up on best-of lists. It’s a slow-paced sandbox for people who want something cozy and low-stakes. You can plant crops, befriend villagers, mine for ore, or just fish for hours. No Wi-Fi required for single-play gameplay, although you will need a stable connection for multiplayer and cloud syncing. It’s rare to find a game that’s both complex and simplistic.
4. Mini Metro
Mini Metro turns public transportation into a minimalist strategy puzzle. You’re building subway lines in real cities like Tokyo, Paris, and New York using dots and lines, but the challenge ramps up fast. New stations pop up, trains get overcrowded, and you’ll have to adapt without breaking flow. It’s quiet, focused, and perfect for zoning out while offline—no internet, no noise, just planning and problem-solving.
5. Death Road to Canada
This is what you get when Oregon Trail meets a zombie B-movie. You lead a group of weirdos across a chaotic, undead-infested America, making snap decisions that veer between hilarious and devastating. It’s unpredictable, stressful, and genuinely fun. Perfect for flights or dead zones, since it works entirely offline.
6. Katamari Damacy: Rolling Live
Some games ask for precision. Katamari just wants you to roll everything into a ball. This Apple Arcade revival keeps the spirit of the original while modernizing controls and adding new levels. It’s playful, absurd, and oddly relaxing. No internet? No problem. You can keep rolling wherever you are.
7. Royal Match
Royal Match doesn’t reinvent the match-3 genre, but it polishes it to near perfection. The puzzles are fast and satisfying, plus they scale gradually in difficulty without punishing players. There’s no storyline to follow—just level after level of clean, addictive gameplay. It runs offline, so you can match tiles anytime, anywhere.
8. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete
“But Animal Crossing needs an internet connection!” Yes, but its offline version, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete, doesn’t. It brings the full Animal Crossing mobile experience into one neat package. Released in late 2024, it bundles every past event, item, and character without requiring live servers. It’s the same cozy vibe, same slow-paced charm. The only difference is that your island escape doesn’t need Wi-Fi.
9. Alto’s Odyssey
Alto’s Odyssey turns a simple idea like sandboarding downhill into a meditative experience. You leap over canyons, grind across ropes, and chase the sunset across procedurally generated landscapes. The dynamic lighting, shifting weather, and soothing soundtrack create a surprisingly immersive loop. Progression is goal-based, but you can also play in Zen Mode, which removes UI and lets you ride endlessly without fail states.
10. Sonic Dream Team
No, this isn’t your retro Sonic. Dream Team blends classic speed-based platforming with 3D exploration and character-specific skills. The game introduces six playable characters, each with unique abilities that unlock alternate paths in every level. It’s optimized for touch controls and includes daily challenges, time trials, and boss battles that give longtime fans and newcomers something to grind for beyond nostalgia.
Looking for something a little more modern, even if it means staying online? Check out our roundup of the five best iOS games coming in 2025. They’re fresh, exciting, and worth keeping Wi-Fi on for.