The best apps to learn physics on your iPhone, from forces to circuits
Physics is easier on a phone when the app matches how you like to learn. Some people want one idea at a time, some want free videos and practice problems, and some want to wire up a circuit and watch what happens.
These four apps cover those three styles. Knowverse is first because it teaches physics step by step and brings each idea back for recall. The list is short on purpose: we left out physics apps with only a handful of ratings.
Knowverse is our own app. We rank it first for this need and explain why. Details about the other apps come from their App Store listings, checked on 2026-11-08.
We read each App Store listing and compared how it explains ideas, whether it lets you practise or run experiments, and how much of physics it reaches. Apps that teach in small steps and ask you to recall them rank above plain video libraries. The two lab apps are listed for hands-on work. Price and platform did not decide the order.
1
Knowverse - Learn in minutes
Thomas Rossi Mel · Free download · New app, no ratings yet
Best if you want physics taught one idea at a time.
Physics is one of Knowverse's 17 subject categories. Each lesson explains one idea with guided visual flows and interactive reveal cards. Flashcards, knowledge-check quizzes and practice exercises then ask you to recall it, and ideas come back over time. It is free to download on iPhone and iPad, and daily streaks help you keep a habit.
Khan Academy · Free download · 4.6 ★ (113,031 ratings)
Best if you want free videos and practice.
Khan Academy is a free library of videos, interactive exercises and articles. Science covers biology, chemistry and physics, next to math, economics and the humanities. Exercises, quizzes and tests give instant feedback with step-by-step hints, and a mastery system suggests what to try next. You can download videos to watch without internet.
Good
Free videos, exercises and articles
Mastery system suggests what to do next
Videos can be downloaded
Less good
Community discussions, test prep and teacher tools are only on the website
Turtle Sim LLC · Free download · paid plan in listing · 4.7 ★ (1,879 ratings)
Best if you want to build circuits and run experiments.
Physics Lab AR is a virtual lab. You choose from 100+ circuit components, build 3D electric circuits and change their properties to see how they behave. It also has electromagnetic experiments with field line visualisation, a galaxy designer and the solar system, plus an AR mode. Results are calculated with precise numbers.
Good
100+ circuit components
Electromagnetic experiments with field lines
AR mode
Less good
A sandbox, not a structured course
Extra experiments and components are part of a subscription
Best if you want to learn electricity by experiment.
VoltLab teaches electricity through interactive experiments that you control. AI-narrated lessons go step by step at your own pace, and quizzes come with worked solutions. The listing says it has no ads, offline access and free content, and it names school students, university students, independent learners and teachers as its audience.
Good
Interactive experiments
Quizzes with worked solutions
No ads, offline access
Less good
Covers electricity, not all of physics
Best for: Understanding the formulas behind electricity
Which physics app is best for a beginner on iPhone?
Knowverse teaches one idea at a time and asks you to recall it, which suits a first pass through the subject. Khan Academy is the free choice if you would rather watch videos first.
Can I do physics experiments on my phone?
Yes. Physics Lab AR lets you build circuits and run electromagnetic experiments, and VoltLab has interactive electricity experiments with narrated lessons.
Do any of these physics apps work offline?
Khan Academy lets you download videos, and the VoltLab listing mentions offline access. The Knowverse and Physics Lab AR listings do not, so check the App Store page first.
Do these apps cost money?
All four are free to download. The Physics Lab AR listing mentions subscription options for more experiments and components.
Start with Knowverse if you want a course. Use Khan Academy for free videos, and add Physics Lab AR or VoltLab when you want to try circuits yourself. All four are free to download.
Sources: Apple App Store listings, checked 2026-11-08. Prices, ratings and features come from each app’s App Store listing on that date and can change.
