Updated November 3, 2026
Phones and tablets have thousands of games, and many are free to download. The catch is that “free” games often make money from ads and in-app purchases. Here’s how to find good ones and keep your money safe.
How to find mobile games worth playing
- Read reviews and ratings before you download. The FTC suggests checking online reviews and ratings first.1
- Look at what the game sells. Store pages usually say whether a game has in-app purchases. Scroll the screenshots and reviews to see how pushy they are.
- Try a few at once and delete the duds. Keep the ones you come back to.
- Check the age rating if you’re picking games for kids.
Watch for disguised ads and surprise charges
Some games say they’re ad-free but still show ads, and some ads push players to buy items to unlock features. In some games, clicking certain in-game ads can trigger a payment, and the game may not make that clear.1
Turn on purchase controls
The FTC recommends using your phone or tablet’s parental controls to turn off in-app purchases or require a password for every purchase.1 It’s a good idea even for adults who want to avoid accidental buys.
Picking games for kids
Many games show an ESRB rating. Here is what each one means:
| Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|
| E | Everyone |
| E10+ | Everyone 10 and older |
| T | Teen, 13 and older |
| M | Mature, 17 and older |
Of the console and boxed games ESRB rated in 2025, 52% were rated E, 15% E10+, 23% T and 10% M.2
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, What to know about kids and video games, ads, and unexpected payments, April 10, 2025.
- ESRB, Rating category breakdown: games rated in 2025, February 18, 2026.