Gaming on a phone or tablet
A phone or tablet is the cheapest way to try gaming, because you may already own one. It suits puzzle, word and cosy games, and it is a poor fit for games that need many buttons. You may not need a console at all.
Who it suits
It suits you if:
- You want to try games before spending on a console.
- You like puzzles, word games, card games and short sessions.
- You are happy using touch.
It may not suit you if:
- You want big, film-like action games.
- You want to play on a TV with a controller.
- Small text is a problem. A tablet’s larger screen can help.
What it costs in the first year
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Console | None |
| Subscription | None needed |
| Games | Many are free, others cost a one-off fee |
Game prices vary. We do not give a fixed price. If you do not own a phone or tablet, the cost is that of the device. These are US prices, October 2026.
What to know before buying
- In-app purchases. Many free games ask you to pay for extras inside the game. These are called in-app purchases. You can turn them off, or require a password, in your device’s settings.
- Ads. Free games often show adverts. Paid versions often remove them.
- Battery. Games use battery quickly. Keep a charger nearby.
- Screen size. A tablet has a bigger picture than a phone.
- Notifications. Some games send reminders. You can switch them off in your settings.
- Controller. Some phones and tablets work with a game controller, but you do not need one.
Easiest first games
Level 1 or 2 on our ratings for phone and tablet:
- Monument Valley has beautiful, short puzzles.
- Townscaper is a building toy.
- Unpacking is a story told by unpacking boxes.
- Cozy Grove is a gentle daily game.
- Wordscapes is a word game. It is free with ads and in-app purchases.
- Two Dots is a dot-connecting game.
- Candy Crush Saga is free, but it pushes in-app purchases, so set a spending limit.
- Pokemon Go gets you walking outside.
See the Game finder for more.
Is it easy to set up?
There is nothing to set up. You open the app store on your device, search for the game and download it. You need an account with the store, which most phones already have.
Are free games really free?
Many are free to download. Some earn money from adverts and purchases. Read the store page before you download, and set limits in the settings.
Should I get a console later?
You might. If you enjoy gaming on your phone and want bigger games or TV play, the console chooser can help you decide. Compare options in Console vs phone vs PC.
Can I play with grandchildren?
Some phone games let you play with friends online, and some let you pass the device back and forth. For the same sofa, a console is often easier. See Games to play with grandchildren.
Next steps
- Pick one game from the list and download it.
- Read How to make games easier.