# Crossword Genius — Enjoy cryptic crosswords

> AI-powered cryptic crossword solver with daily puzzles and learning tools. (iPhone/iPad app by Unlikely Artificial Intelligence Limited.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-genius/id1360269768 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Unlikely Artificial Intelligence Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1459147874)
- Category: Games, Lifestyle, Puzzle, Word
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 74 App Store ratings · 86 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 31 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2019-04-15
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-genius/id1360269768/reviews.md

## What is Crossword Genius?

Enjoy cryptic crosswords and improve your skills with Crossword Genius. 
 
The first and only AI powered cryptic crossword solver, Ross, is on hand to help you learn with hints, explain how a clue works or even solve it if you’re stuck!
 
Features
• A new, free cryptic crossword every day - the Daily Bite!
• Free pack of tutorial cryptic crosswords so you can learn step-by-step
• Download packs of cryptic crosswords of varying difficulty
• Photograph crosswords from a newspaper or magazine and solve in the app with Ross’s help 
• Import 10's of thousands of high-quality crosswords on the web via a share from Safari
• Solve and get explanations for individual clues
• Auto-solve: get Ross to attempt the entire crossword!
• Supports British non-cryptic (Quick) crosswords too.

Privacy Policy:
https://www.crosswordgenius.com/privacy-policy/

Terms and conditions:
https://www.crosswordgenius.com/terms-and-conditions/

## Key features

- AI-powered cryptic crossword solver
- Daily free cryptic crossword
- Tutorial crossword packs
- Photograph and import crosswords
- Clue explanations
- Auto-solve feature
- Supports British non-cryptic crosswords

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $29.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Orlando 2 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Extra bites 1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Non-cryptic 1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Non-cryptic 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Orlando 3 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Orlando 4 | $3.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Crossword Genius?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 💡 AI-powered hint system explains cryptic clue logic
- 📸 Photo capture feature converts printed crosswords to digital
- 👍 Excellent learning tool for cryptic crossword beginners
- 🎯 Multiple difficulty levels from easy to advanced
- 🐕 Friendly Ross character provides patient guidance
- 📚 Daily puzzle content keeps users engaged
- 🔧 Easy manual editing of scanned crosswords
- ⭐ Intuitive and clean user interface
- 🎓 Teaches cryptic clue solving methodology
- ✅ Ability to import crosswords from various sources

**Cons**

- 🐛 App functionality stopped working (multiple recent reports)
- 🚫 Import feature broken or unavailable
- 📱 No cross-device synchronization between iPhone/iPad
- ⏸️ No app updates for extended periods
- 💰 Expensive subscription model (£5/month or £30/year)
- 🤖 AI sometimes provides incorrect answers
- ⌨️ Poor keyboard support (split keyboard issues)
- 🔍 Photo capture quality inconsistent
- 🎲 Clue ordering appears random and illogical
- 📊 No progress tracking or statistics

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App stopped working entirely (May 2025 reports)
- Daily Bites feature disappeared
- Import/upload function broken
- Restore function unsuccessful
- Floating keyboard obscures puzzle on iPad
- Split keyboard option causes crashes
- Multi-word clue answers scanned in wrong order
- Subscription verification failing despite active payment
- 503 error preventing imports for extended periods
- Inconsistent photo capture accuracy

**Most requested features**

- Cross-device synchronization (iCloud sync)
- Bluetooth keyboard support
- Progress tracking and statistics dashboard
- Ability to organize puzzles into folders/groups
- Direct PDF import without screenshots
- Side-by-side view with note-taking app
- One-time purchase option instead of subscription
- User feedback mechanism to improve AI explanations
- More diverse crossword content beyond cryptic
- Backup and restore functionality
- Cheaper subscription tier options

## Recent user reviews (10 of 86)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-genius/id1360269768/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great App - can’t renew subscription

*2026-03-15, version 2.92*

Have been using this app for some years but missed an auto renewal and now cannot renew through the app - such a shame

### 5/5 — All difficulties welcome

*2026-01-27*

I like cryptic crosswords but I’m not particularly good at them. This app has crosswords at all levels including easy ones to teach you how the clues work. There is also a little dog that gives you hints and checks your answers. All round very good and well-designed app. Good content. Clean interface. Very good.

### 1/5 — App seems abandoned

*2025-12-25, version 2.92*

I enjoyed this app almost daily for several years with a paid subscription, but in the last 6+ months it won’t renew and no response from the developer.  Shame because it was the best cryptic crossword app out there.

### 5/5 — Useful hints

*2025-11-17, version 2.92*

Simon really makes cryptic crosswords easier by breaking down clues

### 5/5 — Purchasing a subscription seems to be broken

*2025-11-05, version 2.92*

I had a renewal failure. No problem, I thought, I’ll just resubscribe… but no. “Cannot show purchase screen! Try again later.”

This means I can’t scan or import crosswords as I used to, and no response from the support mailbox. Is this app abandonware now?

### 1/5 — Was brilliant but now broken

*2025-10-26, version 2.92*

This used to be a great app which I used every day. But now it’s broken and won’t let me renew my subscription, so most functionality can’t be used. Repeatedly tried to contact the developer but no response. Only 1* until this is fixed, I’m afraid. A huge pity, as this was something that i used to use every day.

### 1/5 — Stopped working

*2025-07-04, version 2.92*

I have a paid subscription but the paid features have suddenly stopped working. I can no longer import crosswords into the app. It says I need a subscription for that feature, which I already pay for.
Emailed the developer but got no reply. Unacceptable service from somebody charging money but not supplying the service it deserves.

### 3/5 — Great App but AI is faulty.

*2025-06-06, version 2.92*

This app is a great learning tool for cryptic crosswords which isn't found often, but I don't understand using AI to give clues - it's often wrong or "doesn't know the answer"/ will give reasonings as to why an incorrect clue is correct. Might as well have a human write the actual decryption when each entry is clicked.

### 5/5 — Nothing like it

*2025-05-23, version 2.92*

unparalleled learning tool for cryptic

### 1/5 — Dead

*2025-05-23, version 2.92*

Appears to have stopped working. Was brilliant.

## Frequently asked questions about Crossword Genius

### What is Crossword Genius?

Crossword Genius is an application designed for solving cryptic crosswords. It features an AI assistant named Ross that can provide hints, explain how clues work, or even solve entire puzzles. The app also offers daily crosswords and packs for purchase to help users improve their skills.

### What are the key features of Crossword Genius?

Key features include an AI-powered solver that can assist with individual clues or entire crosswords, a new free cryptic crossword daily, tutorial packs for learning, the ability to photograph and import crosswords, and support for British non-cryptic crosswords.

### How much does Crossword Genius cost?

The app offers a free daily cryptic crossword and free tutorial packs. Additional packs of crosswords with varying difficulty can be downloaded, and the app also includes ads and in-app purchases.

### What kind of crosswords can I solve with this app?

The app primarily focuses on cryptic crosswords, offering both daily puzzles and downloadable packs. It also supports solving British non-cryptic (Quick) crosswords.

### Can I use Crossword Genius to solve crosswords from newspapers?

Yes, you can photograph crosswords from a newspaper or magazine and solve them within the app with the AI's assistance. You can also import crosswords from the web via a share function in Safari.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.92 — 2021-05-12

Minor improvements.

### 2.91 — 2021-04-01

Minor improvements.

### 2.9 — 2021-03-17

Improvements to Ross's abilities with entire crosswords (autosolve). Other miscellaneous improvements.

### 2.8 — 2020-12-02

Small bug fixes and improvements.

### 2.7 — 2020-10-12

Small improvements and bug fixes.

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## Related topics

[crossword solver ai](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/crossword-solver-ai)

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*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 2026-08-26.*