Games That Don't Use Data: How to Find and Check Them (2026)

Last checked: October 2026.

If you're on a small mobile data allowance, or you've got a child who'll happily play the same game for hours, you want games that don't quietly eat your data in the background. The good news is that plenty of games run with no connection at all. The less good news is that some games described as offline still reach for the internet now and then, for ads, updates and saving your progress.

This guide covers how to see exactly how much data each game uses on Android and iPhone, how to block mobile data for a single game, what tends to use data behind the scenes, and a short list of games whose store listings say they play offline. The phone settings come from Apple's and Google's own support pages.

Which games use no mobile data at all?

The games that use no data are the ones that run entirely on your phone once they're installed: single-player puzzle, card, board, strategy and simple racing games are the usual suspects. If a game needs other players, live events or a constant stream of new content, it'll use data whenever it can.

Even a fully offline game will use data for the download itself and for updates, so do both on wifi. After that, a game that's offline can't use any mobile data if you switch its access off, which is the best trick on this page.

How do you see how much data a game uses?

On Android

Google's help page says to open the Settings app, tap Network & internet, then Internet, then the settings icon next to your mobile network, and tap App data usage. You'll see a graph of your usage with each app's total listed below it. Menu names can differ a little between phone makers, but the idea's the same.

On iPhone

Apple's support page says to open the Settings app, tap Mobile Data (Cellular in some regions) and scroll down to see which apps are using it. To start counting from zero, scroll to the bottom and tap Reset Statistics. That's handy if you want to check one game over a week.

Can you stop one game using mobile data?

Yes, and it's the most reliable way to make sure a game doesn't touch your allowance. With mobile data switched off for that game, it can still use wifi when you're at home.

1. Install the game and open it once on wifi, so it finishes any extra downloads.
2. On iPhone, go to Settings, Mobile Data, scroll to the game and turn its switch off. Apple says you can turn mobile data off for any app you don't want using it.
3. On Android, open Settings, tap Network & internet, then Internet and App data usage to see which games use the most. Google says you can control how apps use data through the app's own settings and permissions, and the exact switch depends on your phone.
4. For a wider safety net on Android, set a data warning under Data warning and limit, so your phone tells you when you reach the amount you choose.
5. Test the game with mobile data off or in Airplane Mode and play a full level. If it still runs and saves your progress, it's safe to play on the go.

If you want a belt-and-braces option for a journey, Airplane Mode turns off mobile data altogether. Apple says it's in Control Center, and Google says you can swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Airplane mode icon.

What makes a game use data in the background?

When a game you thought was offline shows up in your data usage, it's usually one of these:

• Ads. Free games load ads from the internet, and video ads are the heaviest.
• Updates. Some phones and app stores update apps over mobile data unless you tell them not to.
• Extra downloads. New levels, characters and seasonal content can download in the background.
• Cloud saves. Saving your progress to an account sends a little data each time.
• Daily rewards and events. Anything that changes every day comes from a server.
• Wifi helpers. Apple says Connectivity Assist can use mobile data along with wifi, and you can turn it off in Settings if you'd rather it didn't.

Phone settings that save data, side by side

Setting	Where to find it	What it does
App data usage (Android)	Settings, Network & internet, Internet, your network	Shows how much data each app used
Mobile Data list (iPhone)	Settings, Mobile Data, scroll down	Shows each app's usage and a switch to turn it off
Reset Statistics (iPhone)	Settings, Mobile Data, bottom of the list	Starts the count from zero
Data warning and limit (Android)	Settings, Network & internet, Internet, your network	Warns you when you reach the amount you set
Connectivity Assist (iPhone)	Settings	Uses mobile data alongside wifi, can be turned off
Airplane Mode	Control Center (iPhone) or the quick settings tiles (Android)	Turns off mobile data altogether

Games whose listings say they play offline

Here are a few games, in no particular order, whose own Google Play or App Store listing says they work without a connection. Run the quick test above on any of them before you rely on it, because games change with updates.

Hill Climb Racing

A physics-based driving game. Its listings on Google Play and the App Store both say it's playable completely offline. Android and iPhone.

The Battle of Polytopia

A turn-based strategy game where you grow a tribe into an empire. Its listings say it can be played offline. Android and iPhone.

Sudoku.com

Classic sudoku at several difficulty levels. The Google Play listing says sudoku is available offline. Android.

Simon Tatham's Puzzles

A collection of single-player logic puzzles. Its Google Play listing says it'll always be free, with no ads, and playable offline. Android.

Classic Solitaire Klondike

A plain, minimal solitaire game. Its Google Play listing says no ads and no internet connection, and describes the build as super small. Android.

Mahjong Titan

Classic mahjong tile matching. Its Google Play listing says you can play offline without wifi. Android.

Puzzledom

A collection of classic puzzles in one app. Its App Store listing says you can play without the need for an internet connection. iPhone and iPad.

Relax Jigsaw Puzzle for Adults

Jigsaw puzzles, including ones made from your own photos. Its App Store listing says you can still complete puzzles without an internet connection. iPhone.

A no-ads game is the best bet if data's your main worry, because ads are usually the biggest hidden user. If you'd like more ideas, I keep a longer list of offline mobile games that work without wifi, plus easy offline game apps for older players that suit anyone who wants something simple.

Is it worth turning off mobile data for every game?

For most people, yes. You lose very little: games that work offline carry on as normal, and games that need the internet will simply wait until you're on wifi. The only thing to watch is multiplayer or event-based games your family plays on the go, because those will stop working away from wifi.

If you're not sure whether a game counts as offline in the first place, my explainer on what offline games are walks through what still needs a connection and why.

If you want the full set, start at the Free Games to Play Offline and Online: Every Guide in One Place (2026).

Frequently asked questions

Do offline games use mobile data?

The game itself shouldn't, but downloads, updates, ads and cloud saves can. Turn mobile data off for that game in your phone's settings and it can't use any.

How do I stop a game using data on iPhone?

Apple says to open Settings, tap Mobile Data, scroll down to the game and turn its switch off. It'll still work on wifi.

How do I check which games use the most data on Android?

Google's help says to open Settings, tap Network and internet, then Internet, then the settings next to your network, and tap App data usage. Each app's total is listed under the graph.

Do ads in free games use data?

Yes. Ads load from the internet, and video ads are the heaviest. A game with no ads, or a game played with mobile data switched off, avoids that.

Will a game still save my progress without data?

Most offline games save to the phone. Games that only save to the cloud may not, so close and reopen the game during your test to check.