- Checkers apps that play without internet
- Eight offline checkers apps worth a look
- Checkers or draughts: why the rules differ between apps
- Playing checkers against the computer offline
- Two players on one phone
- The ads catch
- Getting a checkers app ready before you lose signal
- Other board games that work offline
- My take on checkers offline
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can play checkers offline on your phone. The eight apps here all say on their Google Play listings that you can play without internet, against the computer or with a friend on one device. The differences that matter are rule variants, ads and in-app purchases.
Checkers, or draughts as it's called in the UK, is a perfect offline game: an eight-by-eight board, a handful of rules and as much thinking as you want to put in. On a phone it's even better, because you can play the computer on your own or pass the phone across a table. The only real question is which app to install, and that comes down to the details on each listing.
I read through the Google Play listings of the most-installed checkers apps and kept the ones that say they play offline, against the computer or with a friend on one device. They're listed in no particular order.
Checkers apps that play without internet
| Checkers app | Developer | Google Play installs | Ads / in-app purchases | What the listing says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checkers Online (CC Games) | CC Games | 100M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | Play against the computer, or online |
| Checkers: Online and Offline (GamoVation) | GamoVation | 10M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Available online and offline' |
| Checkers (Gamma Play) | Gamma Play | 10M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Play alone or with a friend... offline' |
| Checkers: Online and Offline (AlignIt Games) | AlignIt Games | 10M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | Online matchmaking plus offline play |
| Checkers Clash (Miniclip) | Miniclip.com | 5M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Can be played both online and offline' |
| Chess and Checkers Offline Game (Miniclip) | Miniclip.com | 100K+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'This offline app' |
| Checkers: Classic Board Game (RedGamz) | RedGamz | 100K+ | No ads label, no in-app purchases | CPU or '2-player offline mode' |
| Damas: Checkers (Playfrenzy) | Playfrenzy | 100K+ | Contains ads, no in-app purchases | 'Fully playable offline' |
Eight offline checkers apps worth a look
Checkers Online (CC Games)
Despite the name, the listing describes challenging the computer as well as online play. With more than 100M installs on Google Play, it's the most downloaded checkers app I found.
Checkers: Online and Offline (GamoVation)
Says outright that it works online and offline. A good all-rounder if you want both modes in one app for home and away.
Checkers (Gamma Play)
Its listing mentions playing alone or with a friend, offline, which is exactly what most families want on a train table.
Checkers: Online and Offline (AlignIt Games)
The listing highlights 14 rule variants, which matters if you grew up with a different version of draughts from the one your children know.
Checkers Clash (Miniclip)
From Miniclip, a big name in casual games. A bright, game-like take on checkers that still offers an offline mode.
Chess and Checkers Offline Game (Miniclip)
Two classic board games in one offline app, which saves storage if your family plays both.
Checkers: Classic Board Game (RedGamz)
The only app here showing neither the Contains ads label nor the in-app purchases label on Google Play, which makes it a calm choice for children.
Damas: Checkers (Playfrenzy)
Describes itself as lightweight and fast to load, so it suits older or lower-end phones.
Checkers or draughts: why the rules differ between apps
If you've ever had an argument over whether you have to take a piece when you can, you've met the problem of rule variants. American checkers and English draughts share the same basic game, while international and Russian versions change the board size or how pieces move and capture. AlignIt's listing mentions 14 rule variants, which tells you how many versions are out there. Before a family game, open the settings and agree the rules, especially compulsory captures and how kings move.
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Playing checkers against the computer offline
Most of these apps offer several difficulty levels. Start on the easiest setting with children, so they win a few games and learn how jumps and kings work. Then move up a level at a time. On a long flight, a harder computer opponent is a surprisingly good way to pass an hour, because each game takes real concentration rather than mindless tapping.
Two players on one phone
Several listings, including Gamma Play's and RedGamz's, describe playing with a friend offline. On a phone, that means taking turns on the same screen. A tablet makes this much easier, especially for children, because the pieces are larger and you can sit either side of it.
The ads catch
Seven of the eight apps show the Contains ads label on Google Play, and most show in-app purchases too. Free board games are usually funded that way. If you're choosing for a young child, the RedGamz app is the one I'd look at first, because its listing shows neither label. Whatever you pick, switch off in-app purchases in your phone's settings before handing it over.
Getting a checkers app ready before you lose signal
- Install the app on wifi and open it once.
- Start a game against the computer, then turn on airplane mode and start another.
- Set the rules you want in settings, so nobody argues mid-flight.
- Turn the sound down if you'll be playing somewhere quiet.
Other board games that work offline
If checkers goes down well, chess is the natural next step, and my list of offline chess and board games with no sign-up covers apps that don't ask you to create an account. For a screen-free evening, classic board games for the table and strategy board games give the whole family something to play together.
My take on checkers offline
Checkers is one of the easiest games to play offline, and every app here says so in its own listing. Pick based on what matters for your situation: lots of installs and polish, both online and offline modes, lots of rule variants, or no ads for children. Then agree the rules before the first move. That's where most family checkers games go wrong, not the app.
Frequently asked questions
Can you play checkers offline on Android?
Yes. The apps on this page all say on Google Play that they offer offline play, against the computer or a friend on the same device.
Is checkers the same as draughts?
They're the same family of game. American checkers and English draughts share the basic rules, while other versions change the board or how pieces capture.
Which checkers app has no ads?
Of the eight here, the RedGamz Checkers: Classic Board Game listing shows neither the Contains ads label nor the in-app purchases label.
Can two people play checkers on one phone offline?
Yes. Several apps describe a two-player mode on one device with no internet needed.
Is taking a piece compulsory in checkers?
In standard American checkers and English draughts, yes, but apps let you change this in the rule settings.
