# Happy Sudoku :) — Optimized gameplay, no ads > Free, ad-free Sudoku app with lessons, daily streaks, and customizable gameplay. (iPhone/iPad app by Benjamin Steinberg.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/happy-sudoku/id6818934852 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Benjamin Steinberg](https://appshunter.io/developer/880138641) - Category: Games, Education, Puzzle - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.0 · 20 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-10-19 - Data updated: 2026-10-26 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases ## What is Happy Sudoku? Happy Sudoku is a sudoku app made for beginners and experienced players alike and places an emphasis on becoming a better player. It pairs a customizable board and streamlined gameplay with interactive lessons that help you improve, one technique at a time. FREE TO PLAY. NO ADS, EVER. All 16 difficulty levels, the daily streak and the core gameplay are 100% free. There are no ads, and there never will be. 16 DIFFICULTY LEVELS There are 16 different difficulties, from Very Easy to Extreme 3 - each incremental difficulty introduces new techniques required to solve the puzzle. Advancing to the next difficulty requires you to master more complex techniques such as Hidden Pairs, X-Wings and more. The app provides hands on lessons and hints to help players learn these techniques - there are 56 in total! The game comes with ~80,000 puzzles prebuilt as well as a puzzle generator so there is effectively an infinite replayability. The button placements and ergonomics of the core gameplay have been thoughtfully crafted by a veteran sudoku player who loves the game. DAILY STREAKS Finish a puzzle each day to keep your streak going. The calendar on the home screen checks off every day you play, and shows your current and longest streak. PLAY YOUR WAY • Separate number pads for digits and pencil marks • Placing a digit clears it from the pencil marks in its row, column and box • Start every game with pencil marks filled in, if you like • Tap a number to see everywhere it's placed or pencilled in • Share a puzzle with a friend by QR code or link, and race to finish the same board • Optional aids: grey out a number once all nine are placed, and block impossible pencil marks • Made for iPhone and iPad, with your progress synced through iCloud if you like • Sunny, the app's cheerful sudoku box, dresses up as you master harder levels and changes with the time of day HAPPY SUDOKU PLUS One purchase, no subscription, adds: • Hints that teach. A hint starts by showing you where to look. Ask again and it tells you what to notice, then names the technique, then walks you through the pattern step by step on your own board. Plus Check Entries, Fill in Pencil Marks, Undo Until Solvable, Solve One Cell and Show Solution. • A step-by-step lesson for each of the 56 techniques, and practice boards that need the technique you're learning • Color sets, including High Contrast, or create your own • Key layouts: swap the two number pads, use one big pad, or put the keys in two rows • Statistics: completed and solved games for every level (solved means no hints), with your best and average times NO ACCOUNTS. NO TRACKING. Puzzles are made on your device, so everything works offline. Your games, statistics and settings stay on your device and, if you turn on iCloud sync, in your own iCloud account so your devices can share them. They're never sent to us or anyone else. ## Key features - 16 difficulty levels - Interactive lessons for Sudoku techniques - Daily streaks and progress tracking - Customizable board and gameplay - Offline play - Puzzle generator for infinite replayability ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Happy Sudoku Plus | $4.99 | one-time | ## Is Happy Sudoku safe? Not enough ratings yet to assess Happy Sudoku. ## Is Happy Sudoku legit? Happy Sudoku :) appears legitimate, with a few gaps. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Happy Sudoku is 68 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data. ## Frequently asked questions about Happy Sudoku ### Does Happy Sudoku have ads? No, Happy Sudoku is completely free of advertisements. The developers emphasize an ad-free experience for all users, ensuring uninterrupted gameplay. ### Can I play Happy Sudoku offline? Yes, Happy Sudoku works offline. Puzzles are generated on your device, meaning you can enjoy the game without an internet connection. ### What makes Happy Sudoku different from other Sudoku apps? Happy Sudoku focuses on player improvement with interactive lessons for 56 techniques and a customizable board. It also offers daily streaks and a unique character that evolves with your progress. ### How many puzzles are available in Happy Sudoku? The app comes with approximately 80,000 prebuilt puzzles. Additionally, a puzzle generator provides effectively infinite replayability. ### What are the benefits of Happy Sudoku Plus? Happy Sudoku Plus, a one-time purchase, offers advanced hints that teach techniques step-by-step, practice boards for specific techniques, color sets, key layout customization, and detailed statistics. ### Is Happy Sudoku suitable for all ages? Happy Sudoku has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of players. The game's adjustable difficulty levels cater to both beginners and experienced players. ### How often is Happy Sudoku updated? Happy Sudoku was last updated on October 19, 2026, with version 1.1. This indicates regular updates to improve gameplay and add content. ### Does Happy Sudoku track my data? No, Happy Sudoku does not track your data. Puzzles and your progress are stored locally on your device, with optional iCloud sync for cross-device sharing. ## Version history (last 3 releases) ### 1.3 — 2026-10-24 • Hints now work however many pencil marks you've written. If the next step needs marks you haven't pencilled yet, the hint picks out just those cells and can fill them in for you. • Hints point out pencil marks that can't be right, such as a number that's already in the same row, column or box. • Show me no longer adds pencil marks you didn't write. ### 1.2 — 2026-10-21 • Share a puzzle: send a friend the board you're playing by QR code or link, and race to finish it. When you finish, send them your time to beat. • Two new options in Settings → Gameplay: grey out a number once all nine are placed, and block pencil marks that its row, column or box already rules out. Both start off. • Practice boards now have just one example of the technique to find, so the one you spot is the one that counts. • A tidier Settings screen, with iCloud sync at the top. ### 1.1 — 2026-10-19 No release notes. ## Apps similar to Happy Sudoku | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Tents and Trees Puzzles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tents-and-trees-puzzles/id1279378379) | 4.6 (547) | Free | Games | | [People Color Jam](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/people-color-jam/id6748508660) | 4.1 (918) | Free | Games | | [Sudoku Journey: Puzzle IQ](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sudoku-journey-puzzle-iq/id6755410082) | 4.7 (232) | Free | Games | | [Mahjong City Tours: Tile Match](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mahjong-city-tours-tile-match/id1217925171) | 4.9 (255,275) | Free | Games | | [Into the Breach](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/into-the-breach/id1616542180) | 4.8 (5,890) | Free | Games | | [Minesweeper NETFLIX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minesweeper-netflix/id6451006817) | 4.8 (2,452) | Free | Games | ## More apps by Benjamin Steinberg - [Cymbal](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cymbal/id880138638) All apps by Benjamin Steinberg: https://appshunter.io/developer/880138641 --- *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 2026-10-26.*