Mobile Games, Apps & iOS Safari Tips 10.22.26

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 Mobile Games, Apps & iOS Safari Tips

Seniors practicing mobile web navigation, app setup, and digital gaming tricks in a supportive classroom setting.


Overview

  • Class used games as a vehicle to practice navigating Safari, saving websites, and managing apps on iPhone/iPad
  • Participants are retired seniors; instructor encouraged them to embrace playing games

Roblox: What Young People Are Playing

  • Roblox is a popular online gaming platform aimed at under-18s, accessible at roblox.com without downloading anything
  • Players control a simple avatar and can play many different game types (shooting, pizza delivery, raising a virtual baby, etc.)
  • Friends can play together in a virtual world without being in the same physical location
  • Has its own virtual currency called Robux (gift cards available); the platform made ~$380 million from Robux last year
  • Roblox HQ is located across from Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo and is publicly traded
  • Kids have racked up large credit card bills through easy in-app purchases; parental restrictions are available
  • Mentioned as a conversation starter for talking with relatives under 18 during the holidays

Accessing NYT Games in Safari

  • Search "New York Times Games" in Safari's address bar to reach the games page (crossword, Wordle, Spelling Bee, Connections, etc.)
  • Bookmarks vs. Favorites: Favorites appear as icons when opening a new tab; bookmarks go into a long list and can get lost
  • Best option — Add to Home Screen: Press the up-arrow share icon → "Add to Home Screen" → name it something short → creates an app-like icon for daily access
  • Can add individual games (e.g., Connections) as separate home screen icons for quick access

Downloading Apps from the App Store

  • Search for a game in the App Store; results are sorted by downloads and ratings — higher numbers generally indicate more popular/reliable apps
  • Get = free to download; a price shown = paid app
  • Watch for "In-App Purchases" label — the app is free but may ask for payment or subscriptions inside
  • To install: press Get → double-press the side (power) button → look at the screen for Face ID
  • When prompted about tracking: choose "Ask App Not to Track"
  • When prompted about notifications: choose "Don't Allow" for games
  • NYT Games app is available in the App Store and is cleaner/more reliable than the web version

Removing Apps

  • Press and hold an app icon → choose "Remove App" or wait for icons to wiggle and tap the minus button
  • Remove from Home Screen: hides the icon but keeps the app; find it again in the App Library (swipe left past all home screens)
  • Delete App: permanently removes the app from the device
  • Recommended: don't keep multiple versions of the same game (e.g., 4–5 solitaire apps) — remove the ones you don't use

AARP Games Website (Recommended Alternative)

  • Visit AARP's games website for a safer, mobile-friendly game experience with far fewer ads than App Store free games
  • Games (e.g., Mahjong Solitaire) display full-screen without needing to install anything or enter an Apple password
  • Save AARP game pages directly to the Home Screen using the same up-arrow method

Apple's Texas Hold'em Poker App

  • Apple has its own free poker game ("Texas Hold'em") available in the App Store — no ads, no real money
  • Verify the developer says Apple to avoid look-alike apps
  • Supports single-player (vs. computer) and possibly multiplayer

Community Tips & Game Recommendations

  • Brainium Solitaire: recommended by a participant as a solitaire app with no ads
  • ESPN app: free app to follow sports teams with live game animations and statistics
  • Airplane mode trick: turning on airplane mode can block ads in some games, but note that some games require internet to function
  • Twitch: platform where people watch others play video games live; popular with younger generations; possibly owned by Microsoft
  • Gaming economy note: "gaming farms" (especially in Asia) level up game accounts and sell them to players who don't want to start from scratch

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