# Crossword Puzzle — Bonmo — Write With Apple Pencil Games

> Handwriting recognition crossword puzzles for iPad with Apple Pencil. (iPhone/iPad app by Ihor Ryzhkov.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-puzzle-bonmo/id6445957141 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Ihor Ryzhkov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1675062861)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Puzzle, Word
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 934 App Store ratings · 90 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 50 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2023-04-11
- Data updated: 2026-08-23
- Monetization: subscription
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-puzzle-bonmo/id6445957141/reviews.md

## What is Crossword Puzzle?

Play Bonmo with your Apple Pencil.
Solve crosswords by writing letters in the blank squares, and Bonmo will understand your handwriting.

No more tapping on squares and typing each letter on the screen keyboard. Write naturally with your Apple Pencil and focus on solving clues and filling grids with Bonmo.

Highlights:

• First-ever crossword app with handwriting recognition!
• Designed exclusively for iPad and Apple Pencil.
• Third-party styluses are also supported.
• All our crosswords are lovingly handcrafted by real people.
• Ad-free! Stay focused, and don't get distracted by ads.
• Complete each level at your own pace, with no rush or time pressure.
• With unlimited attempts to solve each puzzle.

Subscription pricing and terms:

Premium subscription is the best way to enjoy Bonmo. You will have unlimited access to all the puzzles while you maintain an active subscription. You can purchase a monthly or annual auto-renewing subscription. The monthly cost is $7.99, and the annual cost is $39.99. These prices are for customers in the United States. Pricing in other countries may vary, and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on your country of residence.

Your subscription will automatically renew unless turned off in your Apple Account settings at least 24 hours before the current period ends. To manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal, visit your Apple Account settings (https://support.apple.com/HT202039). Your Apple Account will be charged when the purchase is confirmed. If you subscribe before your free trial ends, the rest of your free trial period will be forfeited as soon as your purchase is confirmed.

For additional information, please read our Terms of Service (https://bonmo.app/termsofservice.html) and Privacy Policy (https://bonmo.app/privacypolicy.html).

Support:

We are constantly working to improve Bonmo and value your feedback and suggestions. If you have any ideas or issues, please let us know at hello@bonmo.app.

## Key features

- Handwriting recognition for crossword solving
- Designed for iPad and Apple Pencil
- Ad-free experience
- No time pressure or rush
- Unlimited attempts per puzzle
- Handcrafted puzzles

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Crosswords With Pencil Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Crosswords With Pencil Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Crossword With Pencil Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Crosswords For Pencil Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Crosswords With Pencil Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


## What do users think of Crossword Puzzle?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🚀 Fantastic app
- 👍 Great for using Apple Pencil
- 👍 Intuitive and fun
- 👍 Wonderful experience
- 👍 Excellent implementation

**Cons**

- 🔒 Limited free content
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔒 Puzzles too short/easy
- 🔒 USA-centric content
- 🐛 Handwriting issues

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Locked out of previous puzzles
- Subscription required for full access

**Most requested features**

- More and larger crossword puzzles
- Difficulty settings
- Landscape mode
- Left-handed mode
- One-time purchase option

## Recent user reviews (10 of 90)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-puzzle-bonmo/id6445957141/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Best iPad App

*2026-07-09, version 3.6.12*

This is my most consistently used app. It’s is my favorite, and I’ve done every single puzzle in the archive. I absolutely love it.

### 1/5 — Paywall

*2026-06-04, version 3.6.11*

Not a fan of the pay wall!

### 3/5 — Daft clues! Too American!

*2026-05-29, version 3.6.11*

Great to use an Apple Pencil to fill in the answers but keeps saying “l” is a correct letter when it isn’t. Friday 29th May 6 down, answer is LOP but if I is put as first letter it turns green as correct.

### 3/5 — ANYHOO

*2026-05-18, version 3.6.11*

Answers sometimes make no sense

### 3/5 — Daft clues! Too American!

*2026-05-14, version 3.6.11*

Great to use an Apple Pencil to fill in the answers but keeps saying “l” is a correct letter when it isn’t.

### 5/5 — Excellent pencil integration and quality overall

*2026-02-25*

I love this app’s outstanding pencil integration, no other crossword app comes close except “Paper Sudoku” which is equally outstanding (although has more ads but is free). My only gripe is the puzzle size, smaller puzzles during the week and now larger Sat-Sun puzzles. I’m almost done working my way through every single one since finding this awesome app a few months ago. Please please please increase your puzzle sizes all week or at least make them a little harder! Lol love the app, thanks for the fun.

**Developer response:** Thank you so much for the kind words! We hear you on the puzzle sizes and difficulty, and it's definitely on our radar. Your support really helps. Thanks again and have fun!

### 2/5 — Potential

*2026-02-23*

The ability to write with your pen is fabulous. However, $8 a month is crazy, esp when it doesn’t even save your progress? Exited out the game for a min and had to restart my puzzle. Also, you should have the ability to zoom in bc I cannot write that small. All in all, great idea but immediately deleted.

**Developer response:** Thank you for the kind words about the pencil writing experience and for sharing your feedback! We'd love to see you back someday. Take care!

### 4/5 — Good use of a pencil, fun crossword app

*2026-02-18, version 3.6.9*

This is a pretty good app for using your pencil that isn’t drawing or notetaking. Once you subscribe, which I did, you get a wealth of historical puzzles, which is really nice because it will take quite a while to go through them all. To that end, my suggestion to the developer would be to give us a filter so that we can see the puzzles that we have yet to do of which there are many. As well as filter for puzzle size and other attributes. Endlessly scrolling through the archives is a pain in the butt. It would also be nice if this were included in the family plan so that my wife, who enjoys the free daily puzzle because she can’t justify both of us spending a not insignificant amount of money on this app, could also enjoy its full potential for this cost.

### 4/5 — Good. Close to great.

*2026-02-14, version 3.6.9*

I would love the ability to give feedback on specific puzzles. Some of the clues and conventions that it utilizes are just not good.

### 3/5 — Categories and country selection

*2026-01-30, version 3.6.9*

It would be much more enjoyable to be able to choose between different categories. Also pick between different levels (beginner expert etc. Also it would be great to have the option of choosing from which county you come from. So the crossword can reference more common knowledge of that area. Thank you so much :) great app overall, I love to be able to use my pen. Maybe more options of pens? (Crayons, market, paint) 

Thanks again :)

Happy crossworder, 
Alicia

## Frequently asked questions about Crossword Puzzle

### What is Crossword Puzzles with Pencil?

This app allows you to solve crossword puzzles by writing directly on your iPad screen with an Apple Pencil or compatible stylus. It features advanced handwriting recognition, making the experience feel like solving on paper. The app is designed to be ad-free and offers a relaxed solving environment.

### How does the handwriting recognition work?

The app's core feature is its ability to instantly recognize your handwritten letters as you write them in the crossword grid. This provides a natural and intuitive way to fill in answers, mimicking the experience of using a pen on a physical crossword.

### What are the subscription options and costs?

The app offers a premium subscription for unlimited access to all puzzles. You can choose between a monthly subscription for $7.99 or an annual subscription for $39.99 (prices may vary by region). Subscriptions auto-renew unless turned off in your Apple Account settings.

### Is this app compatible with devices other than iPad?

No, this app is designed exclusively for iPad and is optimized for use with the Apple Pencil. While third-party styluses are supported, the primary platform for this application is the iPad.

### Can I try the app before subscribing?

The description mentions a free trial period for the premium subscription. If you subscribe before your free trial ends, the remaining trial period will be forfeited once your purchase is confirmed. You can manage your subscription and free trial through your Apple Account settings.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.7.2 — 2026-08-20

Bonmo just got better!

In this update:

• Improvements for a better user experience.

Have feedback? Email us at
hello@bonmo.app

### 3.7.1 — 2026-08-04

Bonmo just got better!

In this update:

• Various improvements have been made behind the scenes to provide a better user experience.

Have feedback? Email us at
hello@bonmo.app

### 3.7 — 2026-07-21

In this update:

• Crossword Flow is now Bonmo—a new name for the app you know, with the same human-made daily crosswords and Apple Pencil support.
• Various improvements for a smoother solving experience.

Have feedback? Email us at
hello@bonmo.app

### 3.6.12 — 2026-06-04

In this update:

• Improved recognition of some letters.
• Various improvements for a better user experience.

Have feedback? Email us at
hello@crosswordflow.com

### 3.6.11 — 2026-04-20

In this update:

• A new filter on the Archive page to quickly find unsolved crosswords.
• Performance improvements for smoother gameplay.

Have feedback? Email us at
hello@crosswordflow.com

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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 2026-08-23.*