- What the two store listings say
- What you get without a connection
- What you'll still want Wi-Fi for
- Getting it ready before a trip
- Google Play, App Store and age ratings
- Other games for the same journey
- Why tower defence suits offline play
- Saving your progress
- Is it a good pick for younger players?
- The short version for travellers
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can play Kingdom Rush Frontiers offline. Its Google Play listing calls it an action-packed offline tower defense game, and its App Store listing says 'PLAY IT OFFLINE!' The campaign, heroes and towers all work without a connection once the game is installed.
Kingdom Rush Frontiers is one of those rare mobile games that's built to be played anywhere. Ironhide's tower defence series has always been single-player at heart, and the developer says so plainly on both store listings.
Here's what each listing says, what you'll still want Wi-Fi for, and how to set the game up before a trip so nothing catches you out.
What the two store listings say
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Google Play listing | 'Discover an action-packed offline tower defense game' |
| Google Play listing | 'IT'S AN OFFLINE GAME! No internet? No problem!' |
| Google Play listing | 'DEFEAT THEM ALL IN FAST OFFLINE TOWER DEFENSE BATTLES' |
| App Store listing | 'PLAY IT OFFLINE!' |
| Google Play labels | Ironhide Games, 1M+ downloads, Everyone 10+, Contains ads, In-app purchases |
| App Store listing | Ironhide S.A., 180.4 MB, age rating 13+, in-app purchases |
What you get without a connection
The listing describes the core of the game, and it's all single-player: 16 legendary heroes to train, over 18 tower abilities, 8 specialised tower upgrades and over 40 kinds of enemy, from desert sandworms to underworld terrors. There are boss fights, Easter eggs and what the listing calls 80+ offline achievements.
In other words, the offline mode isn't a cut-down extra. It's the whole campaign, and that's why the game has stayed a favourite for long journeys.
What you'll still want Wi-Fi for
- The first install: the App Store lists the download at 180.4 MB, so do it at home.
- Updates: install them before you travel, not at the airport.
- In-app purchases: both listings show them, and the store needs a connection to complete them.
- Ads: Google Play shows a Contains ads label, and ads usually need a connection to load.
Getting it ready before a trip
- Install or update the game on Wi-Fi.
- Open it once and let it finish any first-time loading.
- Play the first level to check everything runs.
- Switch to airplane mode at home and try again.
- Charge the phone or tablet fully, because tower defence keeps the screen busy.
Google Play, App Store and age ratings
The two stores rate the game a little differently. Google Play rates it Everyone 10+, while the App Store lists an age rating of 13+. Both describe the same fantasy battles with dragons and man-eating plants, so the difference is in each store's rating system rather than the game.
On Google Play, the listing isn't marked as a free install, unlike most of the games I cover. Check the listing on your own device before you plan around it.
Other games for the same journey
If you want more games that keep going in airplane mode, my guide on how to find offline games that don't need Wi-Fi is a good next stop. For a laptop, there's a list of freeware offline games for Windows PCs, and for phone and PC both, these no internet games for Android and PC are worth a look.
Why tower defence suits offline play
Tower defence is a natural fit for playing without a signal. You're up against waves of enemies controlled by the game, not other players, so there's nothing that needs a server. You place towers, upgrade them and use your hero, and the whole battle runs on your device.
That's also why the series is popular with commuters. A level takes a few minutes, it's easy to pause, and you don't lose anything if the train goes into a tunnel. You can pick up exactly where you left off.
Saving your progress
Neither listing makes a promise about cloud saves, so treat your progress as living on the device you play on. If you switch phones, check the game's own settings for any backup option before you wipe the old one. It's a small step that can save a lot of replaying.
It's also sensible to keep the game updated when you're back on Wi-Fi. Updates can fix bugs, and an out-of-date version is the most common reason a game behaves oddly after a long break.
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Is it a good pick for younger players?
The fantasy battles are cartoonish rather than gory, but the stores do put an age guide on it: Everyone 10+ on Google Play and 13+ on the App Store. If you're choosing for a younger child, watch a level together first and decide for yourself. Tower defence also asks for some planning, which can frustrate little ones who'd rather just tap.
The short version for travellers
One more tip: if you share a tablet with your children, it's worth checking which account the game is installed under, so progress and approval settings for in-app purchases stay where you expect them.
Kingdom Rush Frontiers is a safe pick for a plane, a train or a tent. Install and update it on Wi-Fi, open it once, and you're set for hours of tower defence with no signal at all.
Frequently asked questions
Can you play Kingdom Rush Frontiers offline?
Yes. The Google Play listing calls it an offline tower defense game and the App Store listing says 'PLAY IT OFFLINE!'
Does Kingdom Rush Frontiers need internet to install?
Yes. You need a connection to download it, and the App Store lists the download at 180.4 MB.
Can I play Kingdom Rush Frontiers on a plane?
Yes, once it's installed and updated. Open it once at home first.
Does Kingdom Rush Frontiers have ads?
Google Play shows a Contains ads label, and both stores show in-app purchases.
What age is Kingdom Rush Frontiers for?
Google Play rates it Everyone 10+ and the App Store lists an age rating of 13+.
How many heroes are in Kingdom Rush Frontiers?
The Google Play listing says there are 16 legendary heroes to train.
Do achievements work offline?
The Google Play listing mentions 80+ offline achievements.
