# Hidden Pictures Puzzle Play — user reviews > 110 indexed App Store user reviews of Hidden Pictures Puzzle Play by Highlights for Children, Inc., rated 4.48/5 from 7,797 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hidden-pictures-puzzle-play/id1462177299/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hidden-pictures-puzzle-play/id1462177299.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 5,874 · 4★ 846 · 3★ 440 · 2★ 201 · 1★ 435 ## What do users think of Hidden Pictures Puzzle Play? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Fun and challenging puzzles - 👍 Nostalgia for Highlights magazine - 🚀 Lots of puzzles available **Cons** - 🐛 App crashes frequently - 🔒 Subscription required for full access - 🔒 Subscription issues and lack of customer support - 👎 Puzzles too difficult for young children - 👎 Lack of new puzzle updates **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes after iOS updates - Puzzles with items just out of view - Tapping on hidden items not registering - Progress not saving or resetting after reinstalls **Most requested features** - Option to turn off timer - More frequent puzzle updates - Better puzzle visibility and zooming - Ability to save progress across devices ## Newest reviews (14 of 110) ### 2/5 — Can’t put in landscape mode *2026-08-06, version 1.6.2* I was force to update. Now there is no landscape mode ### 3/5 — Wish they added in new ones *2026-06-21, version 1.6.2* I like their puzzles but wish they added in new ones. Feels like it’s the same old puzzles. ### 3/5 — Tips *2024-12-08, version 1.6.2* I love it but you only get one or zero puzzles to do and then theres bugs with the stars and i just keep on getting annoyed by it ### 3/5 — Put some pictures were locked *2024-11-09, version 1.6.2* I DID not want to pay bad app if you don’t want to play I don’t want to pay for a stupid game I HATE PLAYING THIS GAME !!!!! ### 3/5 — Good App *2024-10-26, version 1.6.2* This is a fun app that brings back memories from my Childhood. ### 2/5 — Not for me *2024-09-16, version 1.6.2* 1- Your puzzles don’t fit my iPad screen, they are smaller. 2- When you zoom in, the game thinks an item is being selected, which is kind of annoying. And sometimes it would find an item, which is more disappointing. 3- The hidden objects are not the same size as the ones to be found. 4- It should allow for screen rotation. Sorry, not going with the subscription. ### 3/5 — Music *2024-09-07, version 1.6.2* I like this application I used to get so relaxed with doing the image search The music used to relaxed me. I downloaded it once again and I see it has no sound background no more.. it makes me sad. My kids use it now. I wish some music background would be added once again ### 2/5 — Subscription seems to provide no added features *2024-07-25, version 1.6.2* I have always loved doing the hidden picture puzzles in the Highlights magazine and really enjoy this game. However, I paid for the subscription thinking I would get additional puzzles, but no. So what am I paying a subscription for? Also, several puzzles have pics just outside/at edge of screen that you can’t see without using the hint button. Reading other reviews and response from the developer this was supposed to have been fixed 3 yrs ago but it has not. Additionally, there were several puzzles where when you tap on the hidden item it wouldn’t register. It took a while but I eventually discovered that if I tapped up and to the left (so not at all on the pic) it would register. Very frustrating. After multiple reloads (where each time I lost my progress), it finally fixed itself. Love the puzzles that are there, but will be canceling my subscription. Edit: I did exactly what the developer suggested below MULTIPLE times prior to leaving my review. It did nothing other than cause me to lose my progress each time. This is not a user issue. I have since canceled my subscription. ### 2/5 — Subscription seems to provide no added features *2024-07-19* I have always loved doing the hidden picture puzzles in the Highlights magazine and really enjoy this game. However, I paid for the subscription thinking I would get additional puzzles, but no. So what am I paying a subscription for? Also, several puzzles have pics just outside/at edge of screen that you can’t see without using the hint button. Reading other reviews and response from the developer this was supposed to have been fixed 3 yrs ago but it has not. Additionally, there were several puzzles where when you tap on the hidden item it wouldn’t register. It took a while but I eventually discovered that if I tapped up and to the left (so not at all on the pic) it would register. Very frustrating. After multiple reloads (where each time I lost my progress), it finally fixed itself. Love the puzzles that are there, but will be canceling my subscription. **Developer response:** Oh no! We’re sorry you’re experiencing issues with the Hidden Pictures app- we’d love to help! First, let’s make sure you’re still subscribed to the app. To check, please follow the steps below on your Apple device: • Go to Settings • Tap iTunes & App Store • Tap and hold Apple ID at the top • Tap View Apple ID • Enter your password when prompted and tap on OK • Tap Manage under Subscriptions – your Hidden Pictures subscription should show as “Active” Once you’ve verified that the subscription is still active, you should try to Restore Purchases within the app in order to unlock any puzzles that might still be locked. To do this, please follow the steps below: • Uninstall the app • Reinstall the app • Click “Decide Later” on the blue offer screen that pops up when you open the app • Tap “Parent” icon • Tap “Restore Purchases” • follow the instructions here to restore If you’re still having issues, please email appsupport@highlights.com with a description of your concern, the steps you took to resolve, and your device type and version so that we can help. ### 4/5 — How we like this game? *2024-07-18, version 1.6.2* We like this game but it this game we have to buy which is kinda off the charts, but we love this game and it’s only for like four dollars a month ### 2/5 — Not worth the money *2024-05-01, version 1.6.2* I like it but I’m not paying for something that should be free ### 2/5 — Playing with grandkids *2024-03-03, version 1.6.2* My children always had a subscription to Highlights when they were kids. I have many grandchildren and great nieces and nephews - so I pull up this app many times to entertain them! I noticed that they refused the black and white pictures, so I did them. Who is the artist that overdraws the squiggly pictures? How is a 4 year old suppose to find the hidden objects? THIS IS A GAME FOR PRESCHOOL AND THESE ARTISTS MAKE IT NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO FIND THE HIDDEN OBJECTS! I asked my teen grandchildren and many adults to try to find the objects and the only way to do it is to keep tapping until you get lucky. No wonder the kids do not want to play. Your black and while graphics are overdrawn with shading, squiggly lines and needles, pennants and fish hooks. We have switched to different apps - so finding the hidden objects is more conducive to the ages of the children (like you Recommend) and not to some over zealous artist who forgets that 4 year olds play! I loved highlights as a mother..but I am not impressed 30 years later. ### 2/5 — Subscription?!? *2024-01-25, version 1.6.2* I loved highlights as a kid especially the hidden picture puzzles. Why a subscription though and 30 dollars a year?!? That’s more than streaming services with shows and each show has more than 125 pictures. Why not have like 9.99 for volume one of 125 pictures with hidden items and call it volume 1. Then after you’ve worked with artist create volume 2 and 3… so on. Just one app so no log in issues not account issues, just an app with games and another app with more games when that is completed. Or free with ads, then 9.99 for ad free. Why recurring fee do you update with an equivalent value each year? So at least 125 new pictures and no recycled daily puzzles as I’ve seen mentioned? Kinda hard to say you don’t want to push ads to kids if you’re pushing you arm so far into mom and dads wallets. ### 2/5 — Love Highlights but app needs work *2023-09-15, version 1.6.2* I am working on the puzzle of the month and it’s impossible to click some of the images, they wouldn’t click. Also, I pay for the subscription and I’m bummed that I don’t have access to the same library of puzzles online as I do on my iPad. Please work on it, highlights! Update: now I can’t access ANY of the content on the website. Yes, there’s always the free page but I’m paying for content and all I see is an ad for the online app. SO disappointed! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — App no longer loads *2025-10-25, version 1.6.2* App won’t even load. Not going to keep paying to subscribe if the app isn’t working. ### 1/5 — One picture *2025-02-26, version 1.6.2* I got the app and deleted it. I realized there was only one picture to do per category, you have to pay to get more. ### 1/5 — Downloaded for grand child *2024-11-29, version 1.6.2* I got exactly 1 puzzle without paying. Can’t even tell with 1 puzzle if we like it. Not worth taking up space on my iPad. Deleted ### 1/5 — Not in-app purchases *2024-10-30, version 1.6.2* 14 days free then a pay wall, that is not in-app purchases. Then a get a canned response because of this review that makes it sound like they’re going to charge me and that I have a subscription. “ Oh no! We hope everyone will want to try the Hidden Pictures app! You can use the app for free for the trial period before the monthly fee begins. If you want to “Decide Later” you still get puzzles to play while you think about it. A lot of hard work and creativity, based on years of experience and research, goes into each batch of Hidden Pictures puzzles so they are not only fun, but help kids learn and grow! You can stop the subscription at any time if you don’t like it, but we hope you’ll feel the Hidden Pictures are worth the price."” ### 1/5 — Poor customer service *2024-09-13, version 1.6.2* I contacted customer service via chat to find out how to get to the easy puzzles for smaller children. She did not help, said she didn’t know, gave me a link to try to look it up myself, and the link did not work. When I told her it didn’t work, she said she’d let them know and closed the chat. ### 1/5 — Nowhere near as good as the previous version *2024-08-12, version 1.6.2* The previous version of highlights Hidden Pictures had awesome music and made cool sounds when you tapped on different parts of the screen. The previous version was much more interactive and entertaining for the children. This one is very boring and drab. ### 1/5 — Almost No Free Levels *2024-05-03, version 1.6.2* You get a few free levels and have to pay for a subscription after that. Ridiculous rip off! ### 1/5 — Subscription *2024-04-17, version 1.6.2* You should’ve just made the app cost money instead of a subscription pop up, that’s just bad app-design. ### 1/5 — Really?!?? *2024-01-24, version 1.6.2* I already pay $40 a year times 3 ($120) for the magazines for my grandkids. You cannot provide more than one “FREE” puzzle on your app? Shame on you for scalping us all. Money grubbing for recycling the old magazines and now electronically. Wow ### 1/5 — Dissatisfied customer! *2023-02-20, version 1.6.2* My Special Needs daughter loves to do these, and has completed all the downloads, I can’t figure out how to clear them so she could do them again. We pay for the monthly subscription, so we should get more every month? ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — It is a blast *2025-02-19, version 1.6.2* Iudrhfyehfurhfehfuehfuehfuehfuehfuefhefnuenfeuhfuehfunfeufn love it so much because. Iijnufhehfbeufh3ufhuhf3uhffu ### 5/5 — Best hidden object puzzle *2025-01-18, version 1.6.2* No one does hidden objects like Highlights. These objects are integrated into the picture which makes it fun and hard but not too hard. ### 5/5 — This game is sooooo nostalgic! *2024-07-05, version 1.6.2* I’ve been doing “Highlights” since I was little, and I still do, today, but, I’d really like it if the developers kept updating the game, I’d love some new Racer Puzzles! I already did most of them! They’re probably my favorite puzzle! So, if your reading this, please do your best, just like you always do! Keep up the HIDDEN work! (Get it?;)) Sincerely, anonymous “Highlights lover. ### 5/5 — your best *2024-06-24, version 1.6.2* Thank You For All My Languages, It’s Makes me So Happy! ### 5/5 — Hidden Pictures *2023-10-20, version 1.6.2* My name is Tricia, I have a Brain Injury and these games really help me. I can learn new things and it inspires me to keep learning. I also find encouragement when I accomplish a task with and through playing these games from HIGHLIGHTS. Keep up the good work. ### 5/5 — The best game ever played in my life *2023-10-15, version 1.6.2* I love this game so much because it is so fun it is so much fun to find hidden pictures I recommend you guys to download this game ### 5/5 — Something Is Wrong *2023-09-12, version 1.6.2* There’s a serious problem with this application! I’ve completed all the puzzles and yet the program indicates that more puzzles need to be completed to unlock other puzzles. I’m so confused!!! I’m paying you a annual amount of $29.99 for this privilege I would like my money back or you can fix the app so that I can continue to find the hidden pictures. I like it so sue me. :-) ### 5/5 — Awesome !! *2023-02-21, version 1.6.2* This app deserves a heart. We really liked it. It’s so fun doing the look and search. - Rosalie, Age 4 ### 5/5 — Great App *2023-01-28, version 1.6.2* Me and my daughter love this app! I love these books since I was a kid and now my daughter loves the app I also have an subscription to the highlights books! ### 5/5 — Passing Time and Focused *2022-12-11, version 1.6.2* Im sitting in line now for 2 hours. My 4 year old son and I are keeping busy finding hidden pictures. Its going great! --- *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.*