The best free iPhone games mix quick puzzles like Tomb of the Mask and TENKYU with big racers such as Asphalt Legends and Hill Climb Racing. All ten here are free on the App Store. Check the size before you download, because three racers need at least 2 GB.
An iPhone can hold a console's worth of games, but the App Store's charts change daily and half of what's there wants your attention more than your fun. So I kept this page simple.
I picked ten free games that sit high in the App Store's ratings counts, then read each listing for the seller, the download size, the age rating, in-app purchases and any offline wording. They're not ranked; they're grouped loosely by type.
Racing games dominate the list, which says a lot about what iPhone players love. If you're not a racing fan, the puzzles near the top and the mini-game bundle are where to start.
Ten free iPhone games compared
| Game | Developer | App Store size | Age rating | In-app purchases | Offline wording on the listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb of the Mask: Pixel Maze | Playgendary Limited | 308.5 MB | 4+ | Yes | No offline claim on the listing |
| Asphalt Legends - Racing Game | Gameloft | 3.9 GB | 13+ | Yes | No offline claim on the listing |
| CSR 2 - Realistic Drag Racing | Zynga Inc. | 2 GB | 9+ | Yes | No offline claim on the listing |
| Dune! | Voodoo | 326.6 MB | 16+ | Yes | No offline claim on the listing |
| Mob Control | Voodoo | 414 MB | 13+ | Yes | No offline claim on the listing |
| Need for Speed No Limits Game | EA Swiss Sarl | 3.8 GB | 9+ | Yes | No offline claim on the listing |
| Offline Games - No Wifi Games | Jindoblu Limited | 254.5 MB | 13+ | Yes | 'You don't need an internet connection to enjoy it!' |
| TENKYU | keepgamesimple LLC. | 174.5 MB | 13+ | No | Not mentioned on the listing |
| Rebel Racing | Hutch Games Ltd | 952 MB | 9+ | Yes | No offline claim on the listing |
| Hill Climb Racing | Fingersoft | 211.2 MB | 13+ | Yes | 'playable offline!' |
Each game in a few lines
Tomb of the Mask: Pixel Maze
A fast pixel maze where you slide through tight corridors and dodge traps. It's rated 4+, the youngest age rating on the page, and a light download at 308.5 MB.
Asphalt Legends - Racing Game
Gameloft's arcade racer with big cars, big jumps and stunts. It's also the biggest download here at 3.9 GB, so clear some space first.
CSR 2 - Realistic Drag Racing
Drag racing that's all about timing your launch and your gear changes. It's rated 9+ and takes up 2 GB.
Dune!
A one-touch game where you ride the dunes and launch into the sky. Note the 16+ age rating, which is the highest on this list.
Mob Control
You fire a crowd of tiny people through gates that multiply them, then send them at the enemy base. Quick and oddly satisfying, rated 13+.
Need for Speed No Limits Game
EA's street racing game, where you build and tune cars. At 3.8 GB, it's another big one.
Offline Games - No Wifi Games
A bundle of more than 20 mini-games in one app, built for playing without Wi-Fi. A good choice for a flight or a long train ride.
TENKYU
A tilting puzzle where you guide a ball across floating platforms. It's the only game here with no in-app purchases, and it's a small 174.5 MB.
Rebel Racing
A realistic racer from Hutch Games with real cars on real roads. It weighs in at 952 MB and is rated 9+.
Hill Climb Racing
The classic physics driving game where you inch uphill without flipping over. Its listing says plainly that it plays offline.
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Storage comes first on an iPhone
Sizes on this page range from 174.5 MB for TENKYU up to 3.9 GB for Asphalt Legends. If your phone's nearly full, the puzzles and Hill Climb Racing are the friendly options. The three big racers can eat a lot of space once updates arrive, too.
Open Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage to see what's taking up room before you install.
Age ratings at a glance
- 4+: Tomb of the Mask: Pixel Maze.
- 9+: CSR 2, Need for Speed No Limits Game and Rebel Racing.
- 13+: Asphalt Legends, Mob Control, Offline Games, TENKYU and Hill Climb Racing.
- 16+: Dune!, so it isn't one to hand to a younger child.
Nine of the ten have in-app purchases. Screen Time on the iPhone lets you block them or require a parent's approval, which is worth doing on any phone a child uses.
Games for when there's no signal
Two listings mention offline play: Offline Games - No Wifi Games and Hill Climb Racing. The others don't say. Before a flight, open your chosen game in airplane mode at home, so you know what you're dealing with.
Where to look next
If you also have an iPad in the house, my list of free offline games for iPads and tablets covers games for kids and adults.
For a runner that's been on iPhones for years, here's whether Temple Run plays offline.
And when everyone's had enough of screens, these two-player games with a deck of cards need nothing but a table.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free iPhone games?
This page covers ten popular free App Store games, from puzzles like Tomb of the Mask and TENKYU to racers like Asphalt Legends and Hill Climb Racing.
Which free iPhone games work offline?
Offline Games - No Wifi Games and Hill Climb Racing both say they play offline on their listings.
Which free iPhone game is the smallest download?
TENKYU is the smallest here at 174.5 MB, followed by Hill Climb Racing at 211.2 MB.
Are these games suitable for children?
Tomb of the Mask is rated 4+, three racers are 9+, five games are 13+ and Dune! is 16+. Check the age rating before you install.
Is there a free iPhone game with no in-app purchases?
TENKYU is the only one of the ten with no in-app purchases.
