Best App Games for Seniors
Games are a great way to keep older adults entertained and engaged. They can even give you a great mental workout.
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Forget game night. Sometimes you want to play a game no matter what time of day it is or where you are. With game apps on your mobile phone, you can take your favorite games with you to play on the go.
Whether you’re new to gaming apps or you’re a seasoned gamer, there are a lot of fun games that provide a good mental workout — perfect for aging adults. You just need a mobile phone to download the apps, many of which are free. Here are our top recommendations for the best app games for seniors. Game on!
Pair Your Mobile Apps the Best Cell Phone Plan
Want to play your games on the go? A cell phone plan with solid nationwide coverage and cellular data can help you make the most of your gaming, whether you’re at home or traveling. Check out our list of some of the best cell phone carriers we’ve reviewed below to learn more.
The Best App Games for Seniors in 2025
- Sudoku: Best for people who enjoy puzzles
- Solitaire: Best for seniors who like card games
- Words With Friends 2: Best word game
- Brain Test: Best for short, quick challenges
- Scrabble Go: Best for older adults with a strong vocabulary
- Candy Crush: Best visually appealing, straightforward game
- Trivia Crack: Best trivia game
Our Methodology: How We Selected the Best App Games for Seniors
We know seniors have a variety of interests, so we spent 40 hours compiling a list of the best app games for seniors. We reviewed the top games available and the most popular games that are fun and challenging, giving you the biggest variety of options possible. Below are some of the criteria we looked at.
- Popularity: We scoured the app stores to find the most popular games for all users. We looked at the most played games, along with those that offered the most benefit for older adults, such as those that enhanced cognitive function and those that are just plain fun.
- Cost: We looked at the costs of the apps and found that the most popular ones were free. Many of the free apps come with ads, but users can often pay for an ad-free version or make in-app purchases to enhance their experience.
- Usability: Game apps come in a variety of interfaces, from bright and colorful to simple and straightforward. We factored in features such as user-friendliness when selecting apps that suit senior interests and tech skills.
- Social interaction: We looked for apps that offer social features that can keep older adults connected with friends and family and help them make new friends. The features include joining chats and communities to enhance social interaction.
- Educational value: Word games, puzzles and trivia can provide educational value and mental stimulation.
- Pace of play: Older adults have different skill levels and preferences, ranging from a quick pace of play that is more challenging to a relaxed, calm pace. We chose games that suit all skill levels and preferences.
Sudoku: Best for People Who Enjoy Puzzles
The Sudoku app
Price: Free with ads or $5 per month without ads
If you like puzzle games and want to test your logic and improve your concentration and problem-solving skills, Sudoku is the game for you. Some 58 percent of gamers play puzzle games like Sudoku. Sudoku is played by filling a nine-by-nine grid with numbers so each row, column and three-by-three box has each number from one to nine without repetition.
FYI: To download a game app to your iPhone, simply visit the App Store and browse games or use the search tab to look for games. If an app has a “Get” button instead of a price, the app is free. For Android phones, you can visit the Google Play store. Looking for a new phone to play games on? Check out our guide to the best cell phones for seniors.
It is simple to learn and has different skill levels, from easy to difficult. The game is good for older adults who want to improve their cognitive abilities. Those who want a challenge and to keep their mind sharp will especially enjoy the app. Plus, it can be played by people with mobility issues. Solving a puzzle can be a very satisfying and rewarding experience. Sudoku may not be good for older adults who find number puzzles frustrating or don’t want an intensive mental workout.
Solitaire: Best for Seniors Who Like Card Games
Playing classic Solitaire
Price: Free with ads or $1.99 per month for the ad-free version
Everyone is familiar with solitaire, but did you know you can play the classic card game as an app on your mobile phone? You can even play with friends for some social interaction. If you want to play alone, it’s a stress-free, calm and relaxing activity. The game is great for memory and pattern recognition.
FYI: Some mobile games have coin purchases, which let players buy virtual currency using their own money to get additional features or buy things in a game.
The game has different levels, so it adjusts to your skills. The Solitaire app is user-friendly for people who may not be as technically inclined. It offers unlimited hints, undo options and auto-complete functions so it never gets frustrating or confusing. The game requires strategy and problem-solving, and it can help improve memory and slow cognitive decline.
Words With Friends 2: Best Word Game
Playing Words With Friends 2
Price: Free with ads or $9.99 a month for an ad-free option (also coin purchases)
If you are a fan of Scrabble, you’ll love Words With Friends 2. The game is for multiple players, and users take turns using letter tiles to create words on a board game. Each tile has a value, and the more points you score, the more chances you will win. It’s a very social game that lets you connect with friends and family and chat within the game with users worldwide. The game has a modern and user-friendly interface, plus a dictionary with more than 50,000 words.
Did You Know? Adults ages 50 or over played games for an average of 12 hours per month in 2022, compared to 8.5 hours per month in 2019. Almost half play games daily.1
Words With Friends is great for older adults because it expands vocabulary and spelling and involves critical thinking and problem-solving as players strategize their next move. The game also enhances memory function, since users have to think of words and spell them out. Words With Friends 2 promotes social interaction, since you can play with friends and family. Solo Challenge mode lets you practice against AI-powered opponents, and if you want to team up for a faster-paced competition, there is a Lightning Round mode. People with memory loss, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, may find the game difficult since it requires strategic thinking and word recall.
Brain Test: Best for Short, Quick Challenges
Playing Brain Test
Price: Free, but in-app purchases require payment
Brain Test uses brain teasers and riddles to give seniors a good mental workout. Since the game is a puzzle it tests your logic, memory, attention and problem-solving abilities. Brain Test can be a stimulating activity for seniors and can decrease anxiety and stress. It can also challenge the brain and test their cognitive skills. The app is user-friendly and hints are provided if the puzzles are too difficult. Older adults not used to these types of mental exercises who prefer simpler games or those experiencing cognitive decline may find the game confusing and overwhelming.
Scrabble Go: Best for Older Adults With a Strong Vocabulary
Playing Scrabble
Price: Free, but in-app purchases require payment
Older adults who grew up playing the classic Scrabble game will already be familiar with this game, which has the same tiles and rules as the original. It’s also just as social, since players can connect with family and friends via their contact list or Facebook. Users can play different game modes, including Duels, Tumblers, Word Drop and Rush. The game can be entertaining, but the interface is complex and can cause accidental clicks.
Scrabble Go is ideal for older adults who like strategic and competitive play, have a strong vocabulary and like words. Scrabble Go is also a great option for people who have nostalgia for the traditional board game.
Although Words With Friends 2 is similar to Scrabble Go, Words With Friends 2 may be more appealing to older adults who want a more modern interface and appreciate educational and social features.
Candy Crush: Best Visually Appealing, Straightforward Game
Playing Candy Crush Saga
Price: Free, but in-game items require payment
Candy Crush is among the most popular app games, with around 273 million monthly users.3 The game has bright and colorful graphics, and the goal is to complete levels by matching three or more candies of the same color, which involves strategy and problem-solving. Players complete goals such as reaching target scores, clearing jelly or collecting ingredients.
Did You Know? AARP surveyed the 50-plus age group and found that 84 percent play gaming apps, an increase from 73 percent in 2019. Three in 10 use their smartphones just for gaming.4 Check out our guide to AARP membership for more AARP resources and discounts.
Players can connect with others and compete on leaderboards. The game progressively increases the difficulty level, bringing in new elements to engage players. Since it’s such a visually engaging app, prolonged use can cause eye strain. Older adults also should be careful with in-app purchases, which could cause them to spend more money than they planned. Those who want a visually appealing and engaging game will like playing Candy Crush. Plus, it helps keep their mind active, and they can play at their own pace.
Trivia Crack: Best Trivia Game
Playing Trivia Crack
Price: Free or $2.99 for an ad-free version
Trivia Crack is easy to navigate and has a colorful interface. The game is intended for casual players, and it allows gamers to expand their knowledge and learn new and interesting facts about various subjects, from history to pop culture. Players answer multiple-choice questions, and they earn points and advance in the game when they answer the questions correctly. Older adults who enjoy learning and challenging their friends will enjoy Trivia Crack. There’s also a chat feature in the game to chat with opponents, as well as leaderboards to track performance. Like Brain Test, Trivia Crack offers mental challenges to players.
Axios. (2023). Over-50 gamers feel overlooked, AARP finds.
National Institute on Aging. (2019). Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks.
Priori Data. (2024). Candy Crush Revenue & Usage Statistics 2024.
AARP. (2023). Why Video Games Click With People 50-Plus.
