# Cryptic Crossword — Improve your word power

> Cryptic crossword puzzles for experienced enthusiasts with advanced features. (iPhone/iPad app by Teazel.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptic-crossword/id661608021 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Teazel](https://appshunter.io/developer/576525182)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Puzzle, Word
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 1,056 App Store ratings · 261 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 10 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-06-24
- Data updated: 2026-09-07
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptic-crossword/id661608021/reviews.md

## What is Cryptic Crossword?

A brand new cryptic crossword every day, plus 260+ professional puzzles to keep you pondering.

These are cryptic level crosswords, suitable for seasoned crossword enthusiasts.

DAILY PUZZLES
A brand new cryptic crossword published every day. Build a streak by playing daily, earn coins, and unlock puzzles at your own pace. Four weeks of daily puzzles are available to catch up on.

EXPLAIN THE CLUE
Stuck on the wordplay? Tap 'Explain clue' for a clear explanation of how any cryptic clue works, breaking down the wordplay and the definition. A great way to learn the tricks of cryptic solving.

SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS
Subscribe for unlimited access to every daily puzzle and all archive packs, with no coins needed. Available as monthly, quarterly, or annual plans.

260+ ARCHIVE PUZZLES
Thirteen packs of professional cryptic crosswords to keep you thinking. Great for a quick coffee break or a longer session.

EARN COINS & STREAKS
Open the app each day to earn bonus coins. The longer your streak, the bigger the bonus. Spend coins to unlock daily and archive puzzles, or watch a short ad for extra coins whenever you choose.

Features:
- a brand new cryptic crossword every day
- daily login bonus with streak rewards
- earn coins by playing daily, or watch a short ad for extra coins
- unlock puzzles with coins, or subscribe for unlimited access
- great for iPads and iPhones
- pinch zooming grid
- 'Explain clue' breaks down the wordplay and definition of any cryptic clue
- hints, highlight mistakes and answer checking
- backup and restore

If you're finding Cryptic a little too challenging, why not try our standard 'Crossword' or 'Crossword US' apps.

## Key features

- 260+ professional cryptic crosswords
- 29 free puzzles
- Pinch zooming grid
- Cheats and mistake highlighting
- Resume functionality
- Customizable preferences

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| get all 13 Cryptic packs | $3.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 1) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 2) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 3) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 4) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 5) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 6) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 8) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 9) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 10) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack of Cryptic Crosswords (Pack 7) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack (Pack 13 with 20 puzzles) | $0.99 | one-time |
| pack (Pack 12 with 20 puzzles) | $0.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Cryptic Crossword?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Great mind workout
- 👍 Excellent value for money
- 👍 Fantastic and addictive challenges
- 👍 Not too hard not too easy
- 👍 Excellent intro to cryptic crosswords
- 👍 Fun and straight forward cryptic crossword game
- 👍 Challenging but not too difficult
- 👍 Challenging enough without being frustrating
- 👍 Relaxing and enjoyable
- 👍 Tons of fun and challenge
- 👍 Challenging without being ridiculously difficult
- 👍 Clever and witty clues
- 👍 Bare-bones interface that's easy to navigate
- 👍 No advertising
- 👍 Gameplay is simple and efficient
- 👍 Good for beginners
- 👍 Enjoyable for all the word nerds

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional freezing and crashing issues
- 🐛 Backup/restore not working
- 🐛 Purchased puzzles disappearing after device change
- 🔍 Clues can be too easy or too obscure
- 🔍 Too many anagrams and hidden word clues
- 🔍 Clues can be derogatory or insensitive
- 🔍 Interface can be awkward and glitchy
- 🔍 Puzzles too easy for experienced solvers

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Backup/restore not working
- Purchased puzzles disappearing after device change
- Freezing and crashing issues

**Most requested features**

- Ability to reset/replay puzzles
- More challenging puzzle packs
- Explanations/hints for clues
- Syncing progress across devices
- Graded difficulty levels
- Dark mode option
- Ability to indicate wrong answers

## Recent user reviews (10 of 261)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptic-crossword/id661608021/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Excellent training

*2026-08-05, version 1.28*

So worth it. Get this app it teaches you what you need to know to be able to solve cryptic crosswords

### 5/5 — Lover of cryptic

*2026-07-19, version 1.28*

Some easy some not so, good mix for amateur solver who wants to improve.  Pack is a steal.

### 5/5 — Excellent training

*2026-07-11, version 1.28*

Really love this app.

### 4/5 — Solid

*2026-07-06, version 1.28*

Good, well designed crosswords at the lower end of the cryptic range. Maybe they should include some tougher ones while keeping most of it a it is.

### 5/5 — Great

*2026-06-26, version 1.28*

Great cryptic crossword puzzle app, hopefully more puzzles will be added

### 5/5 — Love this

*2026-06-24, version 1.28*

Ready for the next set of puzzles!

### 5/5 — Goes Hard

*2026-06-20, version 1.28*

Me and my partner do this when we’re hammered and it goes so hard oh my god

### 5/5 — Fun and affordable

*2026-06-03, version 1.28*

A great app. No troubles thus far. So many puzzles so little time :)

### 5/5 — Crossword

*2026-05-23, version 1.28*

No cross words

### 5/5 — Great app

*2026-05-17, version 1.28*

Great app

## Frequently asked questions about Cryptic Crossword

### What is this app?

This app offers over 260 professional cryptic crossword puzzles. It's designed for experienced solvers and includes features to aid gameplay and learning.

### What are the key features of this cryptic crossword app?

Key features include a pinch-zooming grid, cheat options, mistake highlighting, answer checking, a resume button, and extra preferences like jumping letters or greyed-out completed clues.

### Is this app free to use?

The app provides 29 free puzzles with all features enabled and no ads. Additional puzzles or content may be available through in-app purchases.

### What kind of crosswords does this app offer?

This app specifically offers cryptic crosswords, which are known for their challenging wordplay and are suitable for seasoned crossword enthusiasts.

### What if I find these crosswords too difficult?

If you find the cryptic crosswords too challenging, the app suggests trying their standard 'Crossword' or 'Crossword US' apps, which offer a different style of puzzle.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.0 — 2026-09-05

- New daily puzzles
- Watch ads to unlock extra puzzles

### 1.28 — 2026-01-26

Minor bug fixes

### 1.27 — 2024-09-13

Backup/restore now uses a secure connection.

### 1.26 — 2024-09-12

Puzzle data corrections

### 1.25 — 2022-08-15

Puzzle corrections & improvements

## Apps similar to Cryptic Crossword

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Word Cross: Zen Crossword Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-cross-zen-crossword-game/id1322257238) | 4.6 (48,543) | Free | Games |
| [Daily POP Crossword Puzzles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/daily-pop-crossword-puzzles/id1287540998) | 4.6 (28,362) | Free | Games |
| [Acrostics－Daily Crossword Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/acrosticsdaily-crossword-game/id1658552058) | 4.7 (8,567) | Free | Games |
| [Crossword - by puzzling.com](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-by-puzzlingcom/id859866568) | 4.5 (43,204) | Free | Games |
| [sQworble: Fun Crossword Puzzle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sqworble-fun-crossword-puzzle/id1621906176) | 4.8 (13,302) | Free | Games |
| [Crossword+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-plus/id1330947092) | 4.5 (11,345) | Free | Games |

## More apps by Teazel

- [Crossword](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword/id576525179)
- [Crossword US](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossword-us/id666558770)
- [Codewords](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codewords/id682094723)
- [Coloring for Adults](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coloring-for-adults/id1019326219)
- [Best Quick Crosswords](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/best-quick-crosswords/id1253492609)

All apps by Teazel: https://appshunter.io/developer/576525182

## Related topics

[cryptic crossword](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cryptic-crossword) · [learn cryptic crosswords](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/learn-cryptic-crosswords) · [best cryptic crosswords](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/best-cryptic-crosswords)

---

*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 2026-09-07.*