- Does Microsoft Solitaire Collection work offline?
- What works offline and what needs a connection?
- How do you install or reinstall Solitaire Collection?
- Which Solitaire games are in the collection?
- Why does Solitaire say you're not connected?
- How do you fix Solitaire when it crashes or freezes?
- Can you play Solitaire with a keyboard?
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, partly. Microsoft's support FAQ says you can play the five classic modes of Microsoft Solitaire Collection offline: Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, TriPeaks and Pyramid. Daily Challenges, Events and saving progress across devices need you to sign in to a Microsoft account. Open the game once online, then test a classic game in airplane mode before you travel.
Last checked: October 2026.
Solitaire is the game people reach for on a train, a plane or a sofa with dodgy Wi-Fi. So it's frustrating when Microsoft Solitaire Collection opens with a connection message instead of a deal.
Here's what Microsoft itself says, taken from the Xbox Support FAQ for the game, Microsoft's troubleshooting page and the game's own store listings. There's one wrinkle worth knowing about, and I'll be straight with you about it rather than pretend the answer is simpler than that.
Does Microsoft Solitaire Collection work offline?
Microsoft's support FAQ answers this directly: you can play the five classic game modes offline. Those are Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, TriPeaks and Pyramid.
What you lose without a connection are the extras. The FAQ says you need to be signed in to your Microsoft account, connected to the Xbox network, to take part in Events and Daily Challenges. The store listings add that signing in is how your progress, awards and cross-device play are saved.
The wrinkle: the small print on the Google Play and App Store listings says a persistent internet connection is required. So the support page and the store listing don't say quite the same thing. My advice is simple. Trust the test, not the label. Open the game once while you're online, then try a classic game in airplane mode before you travel.
What works offline and what needs a connection?
| Feature | Offline? | What Microsoft says |
|---|---|---|
| Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, TriPeaks, Pyramid | Yes | The five classic modes can be played offline (Xbox Support FAQ) |
| Daily Challenges | No | Needs a Microsoft account sign-in and the Xbox network |
| Events | No | Needs a Microsoft account sign-in and the Xbox network |
| Saving progress across devices | No | Sign in with a Microsoft or Xbox account to save progress and play across devices |
| Installing or updating the game | No | Comes from the Microsoft Store, Google Play or the App Store |
| Extra games (Bubble, Jewel, Gravity Blocks, Gem Drop, Mahjong 3D) | Not stated | Microsoft doesn't say, so test them before you rely on them |
How do you install or reinstall Solitaire Collection?
Microsoft Solitaire Collection runs on Windows PCs, Android phones and tablets, and iPhone and iPad. These are Microsoft's install steps:
- On a Windows PC, press Start on the taskbar and open the Microsoft Store.
- Type Microsoft Solitaire Collection into the Store's search bar and press Enter.
- Select Microsoft Solitaire Collection in the results, then select Get to install it.
- On Android or iPhone, open Google Play or the App Store and search for Microsoft Solitaire Collection, then install it.
- Open the game once while you're still online, so it finishes setting up and you can sign in if you want your progress saved.
- Close it, switch on airplane mode or turn off Wi-Fi, and play a full classic game to check it works offline on your device.
If you're setting up a laptop for a trip, it's worth pairing Solitaire with a few other free offline games for Windows laptops so you're not stuck if one of them asks for a connection.
Which Solitaire games are in the collection?
The store listings name five classic Solitaire modes: Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, TriPeaks and Pyramid. These are the ones Microsoft's FAQ says you can play offline. Alongside them, the listing describes extra match-3, arcade and puzzle games: Microsoft Bubble, Jewel, Gravity Blocks, Gem Drop and Mahjong 3D, plus Daily Challenges, Weekly Rewards and Events.
The listings also say the app contains ads and offers in-app purchases, and that Solitaire Premium, which removes ads, is available on mobile only.
Microsoft's FAQ also notes that Daily Challenges, Events, Star Club games and the Easy to Grandmaster difficulties are solvable. The Random difficulty can deal games you can't win, so don't take a loss there personally.
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Why does Solitaire say you're not connected?
Microsoft doesn't publish a list of causes for this message. What its FAQ does make clear is which parts need a connection: Daily Challenges, Events and anything tied to your Microsoft account. So if you see a connection message, back out to the home screen and start a classic game instead. If you've only just installed or updated the game, open it once while you're online so it can finish setting up. If it still won't load, work through Microsoft's own crash and freeze steps below.
How do you fix Solitaire when it crashes or freezes?
Microsoft's Casual Games support page gives slightly different steps for each device:
- Windows: close and reopen the game, close other apps and restart (not shut down), then open the Microsoft Store and check for updates.
- Android: make sure you installed it from Google Play, restart the phone, clear the game's local data in Settings under Apps, and check you've got enough storage. Clearing data wipes what's stored on that phone, so sign in first if you want your progress kept.
- iPhone and iPad: restart, update the game in the App Store, update iOS in Settings under General then Software Update, free up storage, and if all else fails uninstall and reinstall it.
Can you play Solitaire with a keyboard?
Yes. Microsoft lists keyboard controls on the FAQ: the arrow keys move around the table, Enter or Space selects, F2 starts a new game, Ctrl + Z undoes your last move, H shows a hint, D draws a card and F1 opens How to Play. Handy on a laptop with a fiddly trackpad.
Fancy something different for the next power cut? My guide to the hidden surf game inside Microsoft Edge needs no install at all, and these offline board game apps for family night suit a group.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play Microsoft Solitaire Collection without signing in?
Microsoft's FAQ says the five classic modes can be played offline. Signing in is needed for Daily Challenges, Events, and saving your progress across devices.
Why does the store listing say an internet connection is required?
The Google Play and App Store small print says a persistent connection is required, while Microsoft's support FAQ says the classic modes work offline. Test it in airplane mode on your own device before you travel.
Do Daily Challenges work offline?
No. Microsoft says you need to be signed in to your Microsoft account and connected to the Xbox network for Daily Challenges and Events.
Can I delete my Solitaire statistics?
Not directly. Microsoft's FAQ says you can't delete your statistics or progress, but you can start over with a new Microsoft account.
Is Microsoft Solitaire Collection on iPhone and Android?
Yes. Microsoft says it's available on Windows PC, Android and iOS. Search for Microsoft Solitaire Collection in Google Play or the App Store.
