# Headline Decoder: Word Puzzle — Daily puzzles + Word game > Satirical headline word puzzle game with fill-in-the-blank and grid-solving mechanics. (iPhone/iPad app by 404 Games Limited.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/headline-decoder-word-puzzle/id6753880231 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [404 Games Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1821322768) - Category: Games, Puzzle, Word - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 15.1 · 64 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2025-12-03 - Data updated: 2026-10-24 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases ## What is Headline Decoder? A daily word puzzle where every answer uncovers a ridiculous fake headline. Crack the crossword-style clues, lift the black bars, and see what the story was really about. One new headline every day, the same for everyone. HOW IT WORKS • Read the headline. The key words are blacked out. • Each missing word has a crossword-style clue. Type the answer. • Fill in every word to uncover the full satirical story. • Stuck? Hints reveal a letter or narrow down the keyboard. THE DAILY EDITION • One new headline every day, the same for every player. • Build your streak and compare solve times on the daily leaderboard. • Share your result as a spoiler-free grid. No answers given away. EVENTS EVERY MONTH • Seasonal events with themed headlines, like Spooky Season Secrets every October. • A new monthly event with its own headline theme. • Weekly tournaments against players worldwide. • Earn exclusive rewards such as the Ghost Writer avatar, event titles and coins. MORE WAYS TO PLAY • Story Mode: 20 running stories told one headline at a time, from a mayor's pizza promise to an airport gate that declares itself a nation. • Practice: hundreds of hand-written headlines to solve at your own pace. • Color Fact-Check: a calm 4×4 tap puzzle for when you don't feel like typing. • Multiplayer: race friends or other players live in the News Room. MADE FOR • Crossword and word game fans who want a laugh with their daily puzzle. • Group chats that need something new to argue about every morning. • Anyone who has read a real headline and thought it couldn't get any sillier. Headline Decoder is free to play, with optional in-app purchases. Every headline in Headline Decoder is fictional satire written for the game. It isn't real news and isn't about real people. ## Key features - Satirical headline packs - Fill-in-the-blank puzzles - Word grid solving - Daily challenges - Story mode - Unlockable cosmetics - Community events ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Remove Ads | $5.99 | one-time | | Media Mogul Pass | $4.99 | one-time | | Theme Vault Pack | $1.99 | one-time | | 1 Hour XP Booster | $0.99 | one-time | | 24hr XP Booster | $4.99 | one-time | | Neon Mythos Puzzle Pack | $1.99 | one-time | | Media Mogul Pass | $2.99 | one-time | ## Is Headline Decoder safe? Not enough ratings yet to assess Headline Decoder. ## Is Headline Decoder legit? Headline Decoder: Word Puzzle appears legitimate, with a few gaps. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Headline Decoder is 65 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data. ## Frequently asked questions about Headline Decoder ### What is Fake News Decoder? Fake News Decoder is a satirical headline word puzzle game. It challenges players to fill in missing words in fictional news stories to reveal punchlines and spot misinformation patterns. ### How do you play Fake News Decoder? Players read a headline with missing words, use clues to uncover the setup, and fill in the grid to complete the story. Rewards like XP, coins, and badges are earned for completing puzzles. ### What kind of content is available in Fake News Decoder? The game features satirical headline packs across various themes like Politics, Tech, Celebs, Conspiracies, and Food. New content and themed arcs are regularly added. ### Does Fake News Decoder have ads? Yes, Fake News Decoder contains advertisements. It is a free-to-play game that supports itself through ads and in-app purchases. ### Can I play Fake News Decoder offline? The provided information does not specify offline play capabilities. However, games with daily challenges and community events often require an internet connection. ### What are the different game modes in Fake News Decoder? Fake News Decoder offers Story Mode for comedic news arcs, Color Fact-Check for relaxing mini puzzles, and a Daily Challenge for a new puzzle each day. ### How often is Fake News Decoder updated? The app was last updated on January 26, 2026, indicating regular content drops and updates to keep the game fresh with new headline packs and seasonal events. ### What devices can I play Fake News Decoder on? Fake News Decoder is available for iPhone and iPod devices. It is designed for iOS users. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.12 — 2026-10-15 Fake News Decoder is now Headline Decoder, and this is our biggest update yet. THE DAILY EDITION • One new headline every day, the same for every player. • Finish it to get a result card with your score, time, hints and streak, plus a countdown to tomorrow's headline. • Share a spoiler-free grid with friends. No answers given away. • See how you stack up on the daily leaderboard. EVERY HEADLINE IS HAND-WRITTEN • Hundreds of new satirical headlines with clues that actually make sense. • Story Mode now has 20 running stories, told one headline at a time. A CLEANER PUZZLE SCREEN • The whole puzzle fits on one screen, with the clue sitting just above the keyboard. • New newsroom look: paper tiles, a gold cursor and green solved words. • Letters are checked when you finish a word. Prefer instant feedback? Turn on "Check Letters As I Type" in Settings > Accessibility. EVENTS EVERY MONTH • Spooky Season Secrets is live for Halloween, with the Ghost Writer avatar to unlock. • New monthly events, weekly tournaments and exclusive rewards. ALSO NEW • Redesigned home screen with today's headline up front. • A rebuilt daily spin wheel that always lands on the prize you win. • Login bonus, spin and bonus coins grouped into one "Today's rewards" row. • Sign in with Game Center or keep playing as a guest, with progress saved to iCloud. • Sharper avatars and many bug and performance fixes. ### 1.11 — 2026-10-14 Fake News Decoder is now Headline Decoder, and this is our biggest update yet. THE DAILY EDITION • One new headline every day, the same for every player. • Finish it to get a result card with your score, time, hints and streak, plus a countdown to tomorrow's headline. • Share a spoiler-free grid with friends. No answers given away. • See how you stack up on the daily leaderboard. EVERY HEADLINE IS HAND-WRITTEN • Hundreds of new satirical headlines with clues that actually make sense. • Story Mode now has 20 running stories, told one headline at a time. A CLEANER PUZZLE SCREEN • The whole puzzle fits on one screen, with the clue sitting just above the keyboard. • New newsroom look: paper tiles, a gold cursor and green solved words. • Letters are checked when you finish a word. Prefer instant feedback? Turn on "Check Letters As I Type" in Settings > Accessibility. EVENTS EVERY MONTH • Spooky Season Secrets is live for Halloween, with the Ghost Writer avatar to unlock. • New monthly events, weekly tournaments and exclusive rewards. ALSO NEW • Redesigned home screen with today's headline up front. • A rebuilt daily spin wheel that always lands on the prize you win. • Login bonus, spin and bonus coins grouped into one "Today's rewards" row. • Sign in with Game Center or keep playing as a guest, with progress saved to iCloud. • Sharper avatars and many bug and performance fixes. ### 1.10 — 2026-01-26 Thanks for playing Fake News Decoder! This update brings more bug fixes and performance improvements. ### 1.9 — 2026-01-22 Thanks for playing Fake News Decoder! This update brings more bug fixes and performance improvements. ### 1.8 — 2026-01-14 Thanks for playing Fake News Decoder! This update brings more bug fixes and performance improvements. ## Apps similar to Headline Decoder | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Blokyra: Block Puzzle Arcade](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blokyra-block-puzzle-arcade/id6808188081) | 5.0 (3) | Free | Games | | [ShakaShaka: Slant Logic Puzzle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shakashaka-slant-logic-puzzle/id6791466876) | — | Free | Games | | [Gomp Waterpipes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gomp-waterpipes/id1547971889) | — | Free | Games | | [Nail Sort: Polish Puzzle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nail-sort-polish-puzzle/id6810270687) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Games | | [Ringbloom: The Garden Puzzle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ringbloom-the-garden-puzzle/id6789952808) | — | Free | Games | | [Word Tack](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-tack/id6776380313) | — | Free | Games | ## More apps by 404 Games Limited - [Broke Simulator 2026](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/broke-simulator-2026/id6747408531) - [Block Blast Pets](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/block-blast-pets/id6755216267) - [Neon - 2048](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/neon-2048/id6756584601) - [Word Forge: Swipe Word Puzzles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-forge-swipe-word-puzzles/id6757320981) - [Snap Tiles: Photo Puzzles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snap-tiles-photo-puzzles/id6757408332) All apps by 404 Games Limited: https://appshunter.io/developer/1821322768 ## Related topics [decoder word](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/decoder-word) --- *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 2026-10-24.*