Compare the best mobile flight simulators for iPhone, iPad and Android, including realism, offline use, multiplayer, controls and hidden costs.
The best mobile flight simulator for most serious simmers is Infinite Flight, particularly for global airline operations and multiplayer. Choose X-Plane Mobile for convincing flight dynamics and cockpit practice, Aerofly FS Global for high-quality visuals and offline flying, or RFS when scheduled airline operations and a multiplayer-oriented environment matter most.
Which mobile flight simulator should you choose?
Infinite Flight is the safest all-round choice, but the right app depends on whether you prioritise aircraft handling, airline operations, graphics or offline access.
| Simulator | Best for | Main strengths | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infinite Flight | Overall airline simulation | Global route planning, broad aircraft selection, live conditions and organised multiplayer with community ATC | Many headline aircraft, regions and online features require a recurring plan; cockpit depth varies between aircraft |
| X-Plane Mobile | Flight dynamics and general aviation | Convincing hand-flying, useful tutorials and familiar X-Plane handling | It is not the desktop edition: desktop plug-ins, scenery and downloaded aircraft cannot be installed |
| Aerofly FS Global | Visual quality and offline flying | Smooth performance, detailed cockpits and downloadable scenery suitable for use without a permanent connection | Scenery packages can consume considerable storage, while detail and coverage differ by area |
| RFS | Airline schedules and multiplayer | Route planning, commercial aviation features, traffic and an airline-focused online environment | System and handling depth is uneven across the fleet, and major content or online functions may require membership |
Infinite Flight is our recommendation if you want one serious simulator across iPhone, iPad and Android. Our closer look at Infinite Flight's controls, aircraft and planning features explains what its mobile cockpit experience is like.
X-Plane Mobile is the better fit for circuits, approaches and basic handling practice. Aerofly makes more sense when visual smoothness and downloaded offline scenery outweigh multiplayer, while RFS suits players who enjoy airline networks and scheduled operations. Android users can also consult our Android-focused comparison of realism, cost and offline support.
Screen size matters. Complex flight-management-system entry is cramped on a phone, whereas a tablet gives the instrument panel and touch controls enough room to remain usable without constant zooming.
What should you check before paying?
Check device support, total content cost, offline behaviour and controller compatibility rather than choosing from screenshots alone.
- Confirm hardware compatibility. Some simulators exclude older phones and tablets even when the operating system itself is supported. Leave extra storage for downloaded aircraft, terrain and cached scenery.
- Calculate the full content cost. A base installation may include only a limited fleet or region. Global scenery, advanced aircraft, multiplayer and live weather are commonly tied to additional purchases or subscriptions, which may not transfer between mobile platforms.
- Test offline use properly. Download the required aircraft and scenery, launch the simulator once while connected, then test it in aeroplane mode before relying on it during travel.
- Check controller support inside the app. A controller recognised by the phone or tablet is not automatically supported by every simulator, and support for separate throttle, rudder or brake axes can be limited.
- Inspect the aircraft you intend to fly. System depth often varies within the same app. One flagship airliner may have working avionics and an interactive cockpit while another is represented by a simpler model.
Thermal throttling is another common mobile problem. If performance starts well and then deteriorates after several minutes, reduce render scale, traffic, shadows or scenery detail; a high frame-rate limit can make heat and battery drain worse without improving control precision.
Can mobile flight simulators work offline?
Yes, some mobile flight simulators work offline, but only with aircraft and terrain already stored on the device.
Aerofly FS Global is usually the strongest option when offline flying is the deciding factor. Infinite Flight, X-Plane Mobile and RFS may retain some solo functionality, but multiplayer, live traffic, live weather and streamed scenery need a connection. Licence checks and content downloads can also require occasional internet access.
Do not confuse an offline flight mode with a small installation. Detailed local scenery can occupy far more space than the initial app download, while streamed global scenery saves storage at the cost of mobile data and connection reliability.
Can you use a joystick with a mobile flight simulator?
Some mobile flight simulators accept gamepads or external flight controls, but support depends on the simulator, operating system and controller.
After connecting a controller, map pitch, roll, yaw and throttle separately. Disable any competing tilt or touch axis, calibrate the neutral position and add a small dead zone if the aircraft drifts. A common mistake is leaving both motion control and the external stick assigned to the same axis.
Do not assume a desktop HOTAS, yoke or rudder-pedal set will expose every axis and button on a phone or tablet. If full peripheral support is essential, a desktop simulator remains the more dependable choice.
Are mobile flight simulators realistic enough for training?
Mobile simulators are realistic enough for practising procedures, navigation, circuits and instrument scans, but ordinary phone or tablet use is not a certified training device and does not create loggable simulator time.
X-Plane Mobile is particularly useful for hand-flying fundamentals, while Infinite Flight is stronger for route planning, radio-style multiplayer and airline workflows. The limitations are touch controls, no control loading, restricted peripheral vision and aircraft systems that may be simplified compared with desktop add-ons.
Scenery is also constrained by storage, memory and graphics power. Our comparison of scenery realism across simulator platforms explains why native mobile apps cannot fully reproduce desktop terrain, airports and traffic density.
Is Microsoft Flight Simulator available on mobile?
Neither Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 nor Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 has a native iPhone, iPad or Android edition.
Remote or cloud streaming may display a PC or console simulator on a mobile device, but that is not the same as a native mobile flight simulator. It depends on network latency, streaming availability and remote-controller support, so it is a poor substitute when reliable offline flying is required.