- The two Monopoly apps side by side
- How to play the Monopoly board game app offline
- Why MONOPOLY GO! won't work offline
- Making Pass & Play work for a family game
- Which Monopoly app suits your situation?
- Storage and the catch with the board game app
- Playing Monopoly with no screens at all
- Common questions about Monopoly offline
- My take on Monopoly offline
- Frequently asked questions
It depends which Monopoly app you have: the official MONOPOLY board game app from Marmalade Game Studio plays offline against AI opponents or with friends on one device through Pass & Play. MONOPOLY GO! from Scopely is a different game, and its listings say an internet connection is required to play.
There are two very different Monopoly apps, and people mix them up all the time. One is a digital version of the board game you grew up with, licensed by Hasbro. The other is a fast, social dice game built around events and friends. Only one of them works on a plane.
The two Monopoly apps side by side
| MONOPOLY (board game app) | MONOPOLY GO! | |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Marmalade Game Studio | Scopely |
| Plays offline? | Yes: AI opponents and Pass & Play | No: 'Internet connection is required' |
| Free to download? | No | Yes |
| Ads label on Google Play | No ('no ads, no fuss') | No |
| In-app purchases | Offered in the app | Offered in the game |
| App Store size and rating | About 983.4 MB, rated 4+ | About 298.5 MB, rated 9+ |
How to play the Monopoly board game app offline
Marmalade's listing is clear about its offline modes. Under the heading 'MONOPOLY ON THE GO' it says 'No connection? No problem', and it lists two ways to play without internet.
- Single Player against AI. The listing describes AI opponents you can play offline, so one person can run a full game on a flight.
- Pass & Play. Friends and family share one device and take turns, with no connection needed. This is the one I'd use on a long car journey or a power cut.
- Install the app and open it once while you're on wifi.
- Choose a mode, board, dice and token, the same steps the listing describes.
- Pick Single Player for a game against the computer, or Pass & Play for the family.
- Switch to airplane mode and start a quick game at home to check it runs.
- Save Online With Friends and Online Multiplayer for when you're connected.
Why MONOPOLY GO! won't work offline
MONOPOLY GO! is built around rolling dice to win rewards, joining events, collecting and trading stickers with friends and visiting other players' boards. All of that runs through Scopely's servers, which is why both the Google Play and App Store listings say an internet connection is required to play the game. It's a different kind of game, closer to a daily social game than a board game, and it doesn't pretend otherwise.
Making Pass & Play work for a family game
Pass & Play is the closest thing to the real board on a phone, and a few house rules make it smoother. Use a tablet if you have one, because a bigger screen is easier to pass around and read. Agree before you start whether you're playing a full game or a shorter one, since a family Monopoly game can run long. Keep the device on a flat surface in the middle of the table rather than handing it from lap to lap. And charge it first: an offline game is only as long as the battery allows.
Which Monopoly app suits your situation?
- A flight or a long journey on your own: the Marmalade board game app, Single Player mode.
- Family games in a holiday cottage with no broadband: the board game app in Pass & Play.
- A quick daily roll with friends at home: MONOPOLY GO!, on wifi or mobile data.
- Young children: the App Store rates the board game app 4+ and MONOPOLY GO! 9+.
Storage and the catch with the board game app
The Monopoly board game app is the bigger download: the App Store lists it at about 983.4 MB, against about 298.5 MB for MONOPOLY GO!. It also isn't free to download, while MONOPOLY GO! is. The trade-off is simple. With the board game app you get a game that runs offline with no ads label on Google Play, and with MONOPOLY GO! you get a free download that needs a connection every time.
Playing Monopoly with no screens at all
Sometimes the best offline Monopoly is the box in the cupboard. If you're planning a games night, my list of classic board games covers Monopoly's classic rivals. For more apps that work with no internet, have a look at offline board game apps for family night, or browse board games you can play on your phone for other digital versions of family favourites.
Common questions about Monopoly offline
Two things trip people up. First, the board game app needs to be opened once while connected after you install it, like most apps, so don't download it in the departure lounge and expect it to open on the plane. Second, offline and online games are separate modes, so an online game with friends won't carry on while you're disconnected. Start a Single Player or Pass & Play game instead.
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My take on Monopoly offline
If you want Monopoly without internet, choose the official board game app from Marmalade Game Studio and use Single Player or Pass & Play. If you already play MONOPOLY GO!, enjoy it at home, but don't expect it on a plane, because Scopely's own listings say it needs a connection. Knowing which is which saves a frustrating moment at thirty thousand feet.
Frequently asked questions
Can you play Monopoly offline on your phone?
Yes, with the MONOPOLY board game app from Marmalade Game Studio, which offers AI opponents offline and Pass & Play on one device.
Does MONOPOLY GO! work offline?
No. Scopely's listings say an internet connection is required to play the game.
What is Pass & Play in Monopoly?
It's a mode in the board game app where friends share one device and take turns, with no connection needed.
Is the Monopoly board game app free?
No, it isn't free to download. MONOPOLY GO! is free to download but needs the internet.
Which Monopoly app is best for young children?
The App Store rates the board game app 4+ and MONOPOLY GO! 9+.
