Interactive Apps to Sharpen Your Problem-Solving Skills

Life throws curveball problems at us daily, and if you can't think your way through them, you're basically stuck. Lucky for us, our phones aren't just for scrolling social media anymore. There are actually a bunch of apps that'll help train your brain while you're having fun (yeah, I know it sounds too good to be true).

I've tried dozens of these things, and most are pretty terrible. But these five are actually worth your time. Plus, you might be surprised how much better you get at real-world stuff when you're regularly solving puzzles and brain teasers.

Elevate: Your Brain's Personal Trainer

This one's my go-to. Elevate doesn't mess around—it's like having a personal trainer, but for your brain instead of your biceps.

The app throws different challenges at you every day—math problems, reading comprehension, and writing exercises. Sounds boring, right? It's not. The games are actually pretty engaging, and they adjust to your skill level automatically.

I noticed something weird after using it for a few weeks. Calculating tips at restaurants became effortless, and analysing spreadsheets at work didn't make my brain hurt anymore. It's like the app was secretly preparing me for real life without me realising it.

Mensa Brain Training: for When You Want to Feel Smart (Or Humbled)

Mensa—yeah, the high IQ society—created these puzzles, so don't expect easy wins. The exercises are based on actual intelligence tests—word games that'll twist your brain, memory challenges that seem impossible, and arithmetic problems that make you question your education. It's like taking an IQ test, but without the pressure.

The problem-solving tactics you develop will make you a pro in strategic games. Whether you're playing chess or mastering online poker, you'll learn how to immerse yourself in careful thought and make calculated decisions.

Lumosity: the OG Brain Trainer

You've probably heard of Lumosity—it's been around forever and has billions of users for good reason.

What I like about it is the science backing. They're not just throwing random games at you. Each one targets specific cognitive skills: memory, attention, flexibility, and processing speed. The usual suspects.

The social aspect is pretty cool, too. You can compare your scores with friends, which adds a competitive element. Nothing motivates me like knowing my coworker scored higher on the pattern recognition game than I did.

Peak: Making Smart Fun

Peak has over 40 games, and honestly, some of them are addictive in the best way possible.

They've nailed the gamification aspect. You're not just doing brain exercises—you're unlocking achievements, climbing leaderboards, advancing through levels. It tricks your brain into thinking you're playing games when you're actually getting smarter.

One game has you memorising increasingly complex patterns. Another throws logic puzzles at you that would make your high school math teacher proud. The variety keeps things interesting, which is crucial because boring brain training is useless brain training.

Brainwell: the Flexibility Master

Cognitive flexibility sounds fancy, but it's basically your brain's ability to switch gears quickly. Think changing from creative mode to analytical mode in seconds.

Brainwell focuses specifically on this skill through 50+ games. Daily training sessions keep you sharp, and the variety is impressive—attention games, language puzzles, memory challenges.

After using it regularly, I noticed I could jump between different types of tasks at work without that mental lag time. Adapting to unexpected situations became easier. In our constantly changing world, that's incredibly valuable.

The Bottom Line

These apps won't turn you into Einstein overnight. But they will make you sharper, faster, and better at tackling problems.

Pick one that matches your style, or try them all—most have free versions anyway. Your future self will thank you when you're effortlessly solving problems that used to stress you out.

Just don't expect overnight miracles. Like any workout, consistency beats intensity. A few minutes daily will do more than an hour-long session once a week.