To play in flight, you need an offline game that you installed and tested before boarding: once in airplane mode, nothing can download. A puzzle with short sessions suits best, because it can be paused at any moment (announcements, meals, turbulence). Zertyzzle, Djoox Studio's crystal-merge puzzle game, plays offline: its 120 levels need neither Wi-Fi nor mobile data.
What to prepare before you leave
- Install the game and open it once with a network, at home or at the airport. Some games load their data at first launch.
- Test in airplane mode: play a full level and relaunch the game to check that progress is kept.
- Update the game before leaving: an update you can't complete in flight can block some games.
- Think about battery: a game with simple gestures and no heavy animations uses less. Lower the screen brightness.
A pre-flight checklist, in order
Do this the day before, or at the gate at the latest:
- Update the games you plan to play, on Wi-Fi.
- Install anything missing, then open each game once so it can load its data.
- Switch on airplane mode and play a full level in each game. Close it, relaunch it, check that your progress is there.
- Charge the phone, and bring a cable or a power bank if your seat may not have a socket.
- Set brightness a notch lower than usual: it is one of the settings that most affects battery on a long flight.
- Check the sound: decide in advance whether you play with headphones or with the sound off, so you don't discover a loud jingle mid-flight.
If one game fails step 3, replace it before you leave. Once the doors are closed, there is nothing to fix.
What kind of game to pick for a flight
- Short sessions: a level of a few minutes pauses without losing progress.
- Calm: Zertyzzle's Zen mode, with no move limit and no objective, suits a night flight or a wait.
- No dependence on a network: avoid games that ask you to sign in to collect rewards or start a match.
For a wider selection, read our puzzle games without wifi for the subway and train: the same criteria apply on a plane.
Matching your session to the flight
- Short flight: one or two levels at a time, with a pause for the announcements and the trolley. A puzzle you can drop and pick up again is ideal.
- Medium flight: alternate a few levels with a break to look out of the window or eat.
- Long or night flight: aim for something that doesn't demand much. A mode without a move limit or objective is easier on you than one that keeps asking for the perfect move.
In-flight Wi-Fi: don't count on it
Some airlines offer onboard Wi-Fi, often paid, slow, or unavailable on your route. Treat it as a bonus, never as the plan. A game that needs it to start or to continue will fail the moment the connection drops, which is exactly why you test in airplane mode on the ground. Also keep in mind that cabin rules on devices vary by airline, so follow the crew's instructions about airplane mode and when you may use your phone.
Pausing and resuming
A flight is full of interruptions: the seat belt sign, the meal, a neighbour who needs to pass. A simple check before boarding: start a level, press the home button, wait a minute, and reopen the game. If it picks up where you left off, you are fine. If it restarts the level or shows an error, pick a game with shorter sessions.
Zertyzzle on a plane: what works
Offline, you keep the 120 adventure levels and Zen mode, with progress kept on your phone. Friend duels, teams, the weekly Rift, leaderboards, the shop and online saving wait for the network to return; a score waiting to be sent goes out at that point. These modes are detailed in the guide to the game modes.
The game is free and funded by advertising, but no ad interrupts a level. For the full context, see our guide to offline mobile games and the offline puzzle game page. If you also care about your phone's mobile data on arrival abroad, our page on games that don't use data explains where data can still leak, and relaxing puzzle games suits a calm flight.
Frequently asked questions
Which mobile games work in airplane mode?
Any game that plays without a network: puzzles, cards, solo logic games. Test it in airplane mode before the flight. Zertyzzle plays offline, on Android.
Do I need to download the game before the flight?
Yes. Install it and launch it once with a network, because some data loads at first start.
Will I lose my progress without a connection?
Progress is kept on the phone. Only the online save, which lets you restore it on another device, waits for the network.
Can I use airplane mode and still play?
Yes, that is the point of an offline game. Airplane mode only switches off the radios, so a game that plays on the phone itself keeps working. Follow the airline's instructions on when devices may be used.
Will a game drain my battery on a long flight?
It depends on the game and on your settings. Lowering the brightness helps, and games with simple gestures and light animations tend to use less than demanding ones. Bring a cable or a power bank for long flights.
Is Zertyzzle available on Android?
Yes, on Google Play, from the Zertyzzle page. The iPhone version is coming soon.
