The best puzzle games without wifi for your commute start with no signal, pause when your stop comes up, and play with one thumb and the sound off. Five kinds of games fit that bill especially well: merge and match 3 games, number games like sudoku or 2048, solitaire, word puzzles and logic puzzles. Here's what each one brings, which suits the length of your ride, and how to make sure a game really works offline before you head out.
First: test the game in airplane mode
A store listing that says "offline" isn't always the whole story. Some games start without signal but lock part of the content; others need to download levels the first time you open them. The most reliable test takes a minute:
- Install and open the game once at home, on wifi.
- Switch to airplane mode, then close and reopen the game.
- Play a full round and hit pause: check that nothing asks you to connect.
If it passes that test, it'll survive the subway tunnel. Our page on offline puzzle games covers what to expect from a good offline game.
Our picks by type of game
1. Merge and match 3 games
You line up identical pieces to clear or merge them. Rounds are short, play with one finger and make sense without sound: the most natural format for a commute.
That's the genre of Zertyzzle, our crystal merge puzzle game (we're the studio making it). You slide a row or a column; three identical crystals in a line merge into a stronger one. The 120 map levels and the Zen, 60 seconds and Endless modes all play without a connection. The game is free and coming soon to Android and iPhone.
2. Sudoku and number games
Sudoku, or 2048 (created by Gabriele Cirulli in 2014), where you slide tiles to add up numbers, only need your brain. They suit rides where you're sitting down and can focus for a few minutes in a row.
3. Solitaire and card games
A round of solitaire takes a few minutes and is easy to put down. Great for a handful of stops, as long as the game doesn't need a connection to deal the cards.
4. Crosswords and word searches
Perfect for long train rides, with one catch: many apps download their puzzles. Grab several ahead of time, at home.
5. Logic puzzles
Nonograms, tangrams, block-placing puzzles: you think things through with no clock running. They pair well with a quiet ride, much like our brain games for adults.
Which game for which ride
| Ride length | What works | Example in Zertyzzle |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 5 minutes (a few stops) | A quick round: solitaire, a timed game | 60 seconds mode: one minute, the timer starts on your first slide |
| 10 to 25 minutes (subway, bus) | One or two goal-based levels, a sudoku grid | Map levels: a few minutes each, with a limited number of moves |
| 30 minutes or more (train) | An endless or no-pressure game, word puzzles | Endless mode (three lives, "Continue later") or Zen mode, with no move limit |
On a long ride, alternate between a game that makes you think and one that helps you unwind. If calm is what you're after, see our page on relaxing puzzle games.
Zertyzzle on the subway: what works offline and what waits for signal
- No connection needed: map levels, Zen, 60 seconds and Endless modes.
- Connection needed: duels, teams, the Weekly Rift and its leaderboards, the Endless leaderboard and online saving.
- Pause: Resume, Restart or Quit level, anytime; your progress on the map is kept.
- Sound: sound, music and vibration have separate switches. Mute the sound and keep vibration on to feel every merge.
- Back online: a pending duel or Weekly Rift score is sent automatically, and season points earned offline are counted the next time you connect.
Every mode is covered in the Zertyzzle game modes guide, and our 10 tips to beat the hardest levels will help you save your boosters for the right moment.
Get ready for the ride in thirty seconds
- Open your games once at home: puzzles downloaded, pending scores sent.
- Set the sound before you leave.
- Keep two different games: a short one for a few stops, a longer one for the train.
For more ideas, see our page on games to play when bored on your phone and our pick of free puzzle games for mobile.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a game really works without wifi?
Open it once on wifi, switch to airplane mode, reopen it and play a full round. If it doesn't ask for anything, it'll work on the subway.
Which kind of puzzle game suits a very short ride?
One with quick rounds: solitaire, a timed game, or a one-minute mode like Zertyzzle's 60 seconds mode.
Can I play Zertyzzle in airplane mode?
Yes. The map levels and the Zen, 60 seconds and Endless modes play without a connection. Only online features (duels, teams, the Weekly Rift, leaderboards and online saving) need the internet.
Do ads interrupt Zertyzzle?
No. Zertyzzle is free and supported by ads, but no ad ever interrupts a level. Some are offered in exchange for a bonus, and it's your choice to watch them. The Zertyzzle Club subscription removes forced ads.