# Cambugs 2: Phonics

> Phonics learning app for children to improve reading fluency and comprehension. (iPhone/iPad app by Cambugs.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cambugs-2-phonics/id676677690 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cambugs](https://appshunter.io/developer/574190431)
- Category: Education
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 3.80/5 from 10 App Store ratings · 8 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.4 · 23 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-08-09
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cambugs-2-phonics/id676677690/reviews.md

## What is Cambugs 2?

Cambugs 2: Phonics teaches children to say graphemes (such as ‘ch’ and ‘ue’). This is the second step on their journey to become fluent, confident readers — following our previous app, Cambugs: Letter Sounds. Cambugs 2: Phonics introduces eighteen new bugs, and a more exciting bug collection on iPad.

Cambugs has been developed by educational psychologists and parents. We know the importance of parents taking an active role in their children’s learning, so we developed an app where parents/teachers and children work together.

Cambugs 2: Phonics is targeted at pre-readers, as well as struggling older readers. It uses evidence-based techniques that research has shown helps children develop their reading skills. You will notice in this app that children engage in lots of repetition — this is because this is a very effective strategy for ensuring that children remember and retain the sounds that they learn. There is also a test for ensuring that your child is able to remember their sounds quickly and fluently — this is because fluency is a key skill needed for becoming a confident reader.

◆ Developed by educational psychologists using teaching techniques that we know work.

◆ Teaches your child their sounds to a level where they can demonstrate confidence and fluency — key skills needed for later word reading and comprehension of text.

◆ Uniquely designed as a joint activity so that you are guiding your child through their learning. Think of it as being a bit like sitting down and reading a story with your child. 

◆ When children learn a new sound they are rewarded with a ‘Cambug’. These bugs have been designed by children for children.

◆ Statistics screen shows you how many sounds your child knows and which sounds they need to learn. This is very useful if being used in a school setting. 

Cambugs 2: Phonics includes four activities :

‣ Sorting: Sort sounds into two piles (sounds your child knows and sounds that have yet to be learned ). This initial activity ensures the app is personalised to meet the specific learning needs of your child.

‣ Learning: Children learn a new sound alongside sounds that they know already. This is called ‘interleaved learning’ and ensures your child remembers their sounds.

‣ Fluency Test: Children are timed to see how quickly they can say each sound. The app automatically puts letters that your child has not yet learned fluently back in the unknown pile to be re-learned at a later date. If your child likes the competitive element of the test, switch on the Time Challenge.

‣ Bug Collection: Your child will find a new bug in their collection whenever they learn a new sound and they can visit this at any time!

## Key features

- Teaches graphemes and sounds
- Joint parent-child learning activity
- Interactive sorting and learning activities
- Timed fluency tests with optional challenges
- Bug collection reward system
- Progress tracking statistics

## Recent user reviews (8 of 8)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cambugs-2-phonics/id676677690/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Please add more phonemes

*2019-10-07*

I love the concept, the fluency is the best out there. I can definitely see this implemented with such ease. Please add more phonemes, I would definitely rate this higher, if you could please add more sounds.

### 1/5 — No sound

*2016-03-29*

This app is useless without sound which isn't working. There is also no way to make contact for support just a website designed to sell the app. Some help please!

### 1/5 — Terrible!

*2015-10-15*

Very limited phonics content and activities. A total waste. We were done with all the app had to offer in a matter of minutes. Completely disappointed.

### 5/5 — Incredible best app ever

*2014-09-02*

This app is absolutely amazing, my 5 year old daughter has improved with in 2 days of this magical app. It's been the best app I have ever come across and I have recommended to over 50 people all who have brought it and seen amazing improvement. I also happened to hear that children themselves drew the bugs. This app deserves to be app of the year!!!!!! THANK YOU CAMBUGS

### 1/5 — Cambugs Phonics

*2014-02-03*

Absolute waste of money.  My 4 year old went through the learning sessions within 5 minutes.  I have no wish to do timed tests with her and what value is a screen covered in bugs that do nothing and certainly don't have anything to do with phonetics.

### 4/5 — Good fun

*2013-10-19*

We found this useful in helping my 9 yr old daughter learn her sounds. She has dyslexia and sounds have been a real problem for her. She has particularly enjoyed the timed challenges.

### 5/5 — The phonics app everyone needs!

*2013-10-13, version 1.1*

Your second Cambugs app.  An amazing literacy intervention in an app. Great step forward for teaching any child who needs to learn their phonics. It's so easy to use and it really works.

### 5/5 — Review

*2013-09-07*

Excellent App

## Frequently asked questions about Cambugs 2

### What is Cambugs 2: Phonics?

Cambugs 2: Phonics is an educational app designed to teach children graphemes and their corresponding sounds, aiding in the development of reading fluency and confidence. It is developed by educational psychologists and parents to facilitate joint learning experiences.

### What age is Cambugs 2: Phonics suitable for?

Cambugs 2: Phonics is suitable for children aged 4 and above, targeting pre-readers and older struggling readers. The app's content and interactive features are designed to engage this age group effectively.

### How does Cambugs 2: Phonics teach reading skills?

The app employs evidence-based techniques such as interleaved learning and repetition to help children remember and retain sounds. It also includes a timed fluency test to assess and improve their speed and accuracy in saying sounds.

### Can parents or teachers use Cambugs 2: Phonics with children?

Yes, Cambugs 2: Phonics is uniquely designed as a joint activity for parents or teachers to guide children through their learning. This collaborative approach is intended to enhance the learning experience, similar to reading a story together.

### What are the different activities available in Cambugs 2: Phonics?

The app features four main activities: Sorting, where sounds are categorized based on the child's knowledge; Learning, which introduces new sounds alongside known ones; Fluency Test, a timed assessment of sound pronunciation; and Bug Collection, a reward system for learning new sounds.

### Does Cambugs 2: Phonics have ads?

No, Cambugs 2: Phonics does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application designed to provide an uninterrupted learning experience for children.

### How much does Cambugs 2: Phonics cost?

Cambugs 2: Phonics is available for a one-time purchase of $1.99. This price grants access to all features and content within the application.

### How often is Cambugs 2: Phonics updated?

The latest version of Cambugs 2: Phonics is 2.1, which was last updated on October 2, 2018. While updates have not been frequent recently, the app provides a stable set of features for learning phonics.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1 — 2018-10-02

Support for iOS 12 and the new iPhones.

Adds number to the full app name to emphasise progression through the Cambugs apps, and to make it easier to find the app that was just downloaded.

### 2.0 — 2018-09-05

Stickers, landscape, Split View and more.

This update adds a Messages sticker pack with all the bugs.

Cambugs is now fully unified across iPhone and iPad and works at any shape and size.

• The app can now be used in landscape.
• Supports Split View and Slide Over on iPad.
• Runs at the proper size on iPhone X and the 10.5" iPad Pro.

The passcode lock feature has been removed.

This update requires iOS 11 or later.

### 1.6 — 2016-07-24

• Adds scrollable example words in the learning activity, highlighting the sound being learned and helping to put the sounds in context for teacher and learner.
• Cambugs now appears at native size on the big iPad Pro.
• The timed test has been renamed to the fluency test.
• Fixes incorrect text shown when finishing the fluency test with all sounds known.

### 1.5 — 2015-09-17

This little update ensures everything works correctly on iOS 9, and brings back the bugs on the activity selection screen.

### 1.4 — 2015-06-22

Cambugs First Words is now available, which is the final step on children’s journeys to become fluent, confident readers.

Bugs now bounce around in the bug collection.

You can tap sounds on the statistics screen to hear their hints.

Some iPhone improvements to match iPad: the backgrounds in activities are more interesting and the scrolling bug collection is now available.

Improved use of the larger screens on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

## Apps similar to Cambugs 2

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Phonic Zoom, Spell, Read, Play](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonic-zoom-spell-read-play/id6742724490) | — | Free | Education |
| [See and Learn Vocabulary 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/see-and-learn-vocabulary-2/id1078001413) | — | $29.99 | Education |
| [Jolly Phonics Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jolly-phonics-pro/id1242383996) | 4.5 (232) | $49.99 | Education |
| [Read with Phonics Games](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/read-with-phonics-games/id1076917885) | 4.2 (9) | Free | Education |
| [The Phonics App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-phonics-app/id6742649576) | 4.8 (100) | Free | Education |
| [Phonics Word Finder Premium](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonics-word-finder-premium/id989482249) | — | $1.99 | Education |

## More apps by Cambugs

- [Cambugs: Letter Sounds](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cambugs-letter-sounds/id574190228)
- [Cambugs: Letter Sounds Schools](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cambugs-letter-sounds-schools/id874415942)
- [Cambugs 3: First Words](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cambugs-3-first-words/id929792621)

All apps by Cambugs: https://appshunter.io/developer/574190431

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*