Smartphones are obviously practical, but they can also be fun: there's an overwhelming number of mobile games available for your device, and plenty are perfect for both the young and young-at-heart.
Whether you're into puzzles, role-playing adventure, word games or brain teasers, there's literally thousands of game apps for both iPhone and Android available to download. We've handpicked some of our favourite senior-friendly mobile games below, along with handy information on how to add apps to your phone, plus the difference between free apps, paid apps, and in-app purchases.
Keep in mind that some of the below apps are completely free, some require a small upfront cost to download, and some are free to play but feature the option to make in-game purchases. Some free apps may also be ad-supported, so advertising may appear onscreen during your game.
Words with Friends
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iTouch, Android phones and tablets
Probably the most popular vocabulary-based game for mobile devices, Words with Friends is a step up for Scrabble addicts. Free to play and download, this app follows the gameplay of the aforementioned Scrabble, and allows plays to compete against friends, family, and strangers with similar skill levels.
Words with Friends offers weekly challenges, solo playing for extra practice, and in-app dictionary and Word of the Day features. You can track your performance and improvement with detailed game statistics, and chat with friends in-game; plus, iPhone users can also play directly from the iMessages app. If you're a sucker for word-based puzzles, Words With Friends is a sharp, social app that will have you hooked.
Mister Smith & His Adventures
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iTouch, Android phones and tablets
A quiz app with a twist, Mister Smith & His Adventures is an interactive and witty adventure which sees players navigate the life story of the titular Mister Smith. Pick an adventure, and make choices on behalf of the app's hero - you can make him kind, smart, wacky or flirty, and each option you pick leads to a different outcome.
As you work your way through tricky scenarios, you'll also be given mini trivia games to complete. These quizzes are a mix of pop culture, history and general knowledge questions, but with the same sassy and irreverent tone as the app's main gameplay. While there are options to upgrade to a premium ad-free version, Mister Smith & His Adventures is a fun and funny mobile game that's free to play (and highly addictive).
We compare phone plans
The WhistleOut team read over 1,400 plan documents each week and spot about 400 plan changes for our database every month. It takes a dedicated team of experts to monitor the phone and internet markets, and bring you the most accurate and timely information to compare.
Start your search
Peak
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple Watch, Android phones and tablets
Peak is an award-winning brain-training app that uses fun, addictive games and puzzles to provide an effective cognitive workout. Designed with input from neuroscientists and educators, Peak's daily challenges focus on areas such as memory, problem solving, attention, language, and mental agility, and are a great way to test, maintain and improve your cognitive function.
Once you've signed up, you'll receive a daily program of brain games to complete, plus feedback and training statistics so you can track your progress. You'll learn where you need to improve, and be given the tools and exercises to do so, with over 35 specialised games available. Peak is free to download and use, but you can upgrade to the premium version for a monthly or yearly subscription fee.
The Room
Available on: Google Play ($1.49), App Store
Compatible with: iPhone 4 and newer generations, iPad, iTouch, Android phones and tablets
One of several pay-to-play apps we'd recommend, The Room is utterly captivating and a must-have for fans of mysteries, puzzles and beautiful visuals. Players must solve a series of interactive, cleverly designed puzzles in order to unlock boxes and move forward in the story; challenges offer just the right degree of difficulty to keep things intriguing, without seeming impossible.
The Room features amazing graphics, intuitive gameplay, and easy-to-navigate, one-touch controls. This gorgeous game has claimed more than half a dozen major awards, including Apple's iPad Game of the Year in 2018, and the BAFTA for Best British Game, and with good reason - it's one of the most engaging, stunning and intriguing apps available for iOS and Android. Best of all, once you've completed this first chapter, you can move on to its multiple sequels.
Disjoint
Available on: Google Play ($4.49), App Store ($2.99)
Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android phones and tablets
Following on from The Room is this equally ingenious brain-busting puzzle/adventure game. Presented in a bright, visually striking comic book format, Disjointed follows the adventures of a hobo and a pig in their quest to solve puzzles and find treasure. In addition to easy-to-follow storybook imagery, the game's text is presented entirely in rhyme - adding an extra element of charm and quirkiness to the plot.
As cute as the story is, Disjointed's puzzles are its key attraction: geometric brain teasers featuring movable triangles that increase in difficulty as you progress. If you're looking for an on-to-go challenge (and don't mind paying upfront), Disjoint's engaging graphics, clever puzzles and fun story are definitely worth checking out.
Reigns
Available on: Google Play ($4.69), App Store ($2.99)
Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android phones and tablets
Fancy a card game about regicide? Reigns gives players the crown (and the deck) - you'll play as the all-powerful ruler of a virtual kingdom, complete with the day-to-day problems and pressures that come with running a monarchy. Swipe left and right to make decisions that affect your kingdom, while balancing your people, your finances, your army, and the church.
Give anyone too much power (or too little influence), and your reign will be meet a swift end. The aim is to rule for as long as possible, but you'll also come across achievements and events that tie multiple playthroughs together. And it's a little too easy to find yourself playing another round to try and get a new high score.
2048
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV, Android phones and tablets
Simple and addictive, 2048 is similar to tile-swiping apps such as Threes, and has had equal amounts of success on the Google Play and App Store charts. The game features a 16-square grid which is gradually filled with numbered tiles; players must eliminate tiles by combining two of the same number.
The aim of the game is to eventually get that coveted 2048 tile by merging tiles and avoiding the game board filling up entirely. The gameplay seems easy, but gives players enough of a mental workout to keep coming back for more to beat their high score. If you're looking for something fun, uncomplicated and perfect for those little moments of downtime throughout the day, 2048 offers a great distraction.
Two Dots
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android phones and tablets
Two Dots uses the simple concept of connecting, and eliminating dots in order to reach a point goal. Slide your finger across groups of colour-coordinated dots horizontally, and vertically in order to clear the space.
The super simple interface makes this game easy to pick up, and impossible to put down. Work your way through over 2,700 levels, uncovering tricks along the way and testing your problem solving skills one dot at a time.
Two Dots is entirely free to play, but does have some in-app purchases which you can disable. There is also a colour-blind edition to make it more accessible.
How to find apps
You'll need to find and download an app to your phone before you can use it, but where you'll need to go to do this depends on the brand of your phone. You'll also need to be connected to the internet, either through WiFi or your mobile network.
iPhone
If you're a new iPhone user, apps are available from the App Store. Tap the blue App Store icon on your phone, and it will take you to the Store where you can browse apps by category and popularity, or search for specific apps by name. Once you find an app you like, tap it for more info, reviews, and screenshots, or hit the GET icon to download.
You'll need an Apple ID to download and buy apps on your iPhone. This was probably set up when you first got your phone, but for more help, you can read up on Apple IDs and iCloud here.
Google Android
If you're not using an iPhone, you're probably the proud owner of an Android device - it's the go-to operating system for brands such as Samsung, Huawei, Google, Nokia, Sony, LG, Motorola and more. In this case, you can find apps by opening the Google Play Store on your device.
Once you've found and opened Google Play, you'll need to be signed in with your Google account in order to download apps. If you don't already have this set up, you can create one by opening the Settings app on your phone, then scrolling to Accounts and selecting Add Account. Tap Google, then follow the prompts to enter your personal info.
Like Apple's App Store, the Google Play Store allows you to browse and search for apps by name and subject. Found an app you want to try? Tap the three dots to the side of the app name and select Install, or tap the app name for more information.
What about paid apps and in-app purchases?
While most of the apps we've listed in this article are free, you will find some applications require you to pay an upfront charge to download and use them. If you do tap on a paid app, you'll receive a pop-up asking you to sign in or verify your account before making the purchase, so you're unlikely to buy an app by accident.
Other apps are free to download, but feature in-app purchases - the ability to buy added features or extras from within the app. This mostly applies to games, but again, if you are using an app with this feature, you'll be prompted to confirm your purchase via your Apple ID or Google account before buying.
Need a new mobile plan? Begin your search below.
|
#1
|
SpinTel 
|
|
|
#2
|
Dodo 
|
|
|
#3
|
Vodafone 
|
|
|
#4
|
Tangerine Telecom 
|
|
|
#5
|
Optus 
|
|
|
#6
|
Pivotel 
|
|
|
#7
|
Swoop 
|
|
|
#8
|
Moose Mobile 
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#9
|
Telstra 
|
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
Belong 
|
Link not supplied
|
Related Articles
