# Highlights™ Shapes — user reviews > 86 indexed App Store user reviews of Highlights™ Shapes by Highlights for Children, Inc., rated 3.80/5 from 325 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/highlights-shapes/id1127726827/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/highlights-shapes/id1127726827.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 191 · 4★ 32 · 3★ 22 · 2★ 22 · 1★ 58 ## What do users think of Highlights™ Shapes? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👶 Excellent educational tool for learning shapes and colors - 🎮 Engaging and intuitive gameplay mechanics for toddlers - 🧠 Builds abstract reasoning, patience, and problem-solving skills - 🎨 Appealing graphics and visual design - 🦊 Charming fox character guide - 🎵 Calming music and sound effects - 📱 Works offline without WiFi requirement - ✨ No intrusive ads in free version - 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Suitable for wide age range (1-5 years old) - 🎯 Simple and intuitive navigation for young children **Cons** - 🔊 Persistent sound/audio issues across multiple devices - 💰 Expensive in-app purchases for additional levels - 🚫 No family sharing support for purchases - 📉 Limited content - only 3-4 levels available - ⏱️ Levels complete too quickly (3-10 minutes each) - 🔄 Lost purchased content after phone updates - ❌ Misleading 'free app' marketing when most content requires payment - 🎓 Naming inconsistency (calls rhombus a 'diamond') - 😕 Some themes potentially unsettling for young children (ancient idol) - 🚫 Lack of parental controls and home button protection - 📞 Unresponsive customer support - 💳 Confusing pricing display with crossed-out prices **Commonly reported bugs** - Sound/audio not working despite system updates and reinstalls - Notifications must be enabled for sound to function - Purchased levels not transferring to new devices - Language switching glitch preventing Spanish audio - Home button not protected from accidental child taps - In-app purchase system not functioning on some devices - Account creation issues preventing purchase completion - App support/live chat not responsive **Most requested features** - More levels and increased difficulty progression - Additional shape types and more complex puzzles - Alphabet/letter learning app similar to shapes version - Language options including Spanish and Chinese audio - Family sharing capability for purchases - Parental controls and screen time timer options - More diverse themes (animals, fish instead of artifacts) - Ability to transfer purchases between devices - More challenging content for advanced learners ## Newest reviews (11 of 86) ### 4/5 — App Won’t let me buy the game! as app need an account number?? *2023-02-02, version 1.5.1* I Try to pay for the full version -from an Android phone- but can’t create an account, can’t contact support, the text message does not go through… I want to spend money in your shop!!! Signed up for the 10% off, still can’t buy it! If you send me an email address, I give you the address in question. ### 2/5 — No sound *2022-12-14* Unable to hear sound . Able to hear on old iPad but not newer ones **Developer response:** Hi, thank you for the review. As we work to address this issue, we have found that allowing notifications for this app on your device enables the sound. Thanks! ### 2/5 — Stop! *2021-03-23, version 1.5.1* Stop making this app please! ### 3/5 — Sound and music have disappeared *2021-03-05* My granddaughter loves the games and enjoys moving the shapes. But we can’t get the music and sounds back on. I have tried pushing the individual on-off buttons for sound and music and turning the iPad on and off. Any suggestions? **Developer response:** Hi- Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We're sorry you're having trouble with the sound in the Shapes app. To fix the issue, please try to uninstall and reinstall the app. If this does not work, please email us at highlights-apps@highlights.com so that we can look into this further for you. ### 3/5 — Great App, Issue with the sound *2020-12-25* Daughter loves the app, but unable to get sound to work on my phone or my IPad. Tried a few tricks found in other reviews but to no avail **Developer response:** Hi - I'm sorry you're having issues with the sound. Try fully uninstalling and reinstalling the app. That should resolve the problem but if not, please email us at highlights-apps@highlights.com so that we can troubleshoot further. ### 4/5 — Love it but have no sound *2020-12-16* My wife has this app on her ipad, so I bought another copy for my iPad. It works but I can’t get the sound to work. Can you help? Jeff Davis **Developer response:** Hi, thank you for reaching out - we're here to help. In order to restore sound on the app, the app Notifications have to be turned on. Thanks! ### 2/5 — Volume stopped working *2020-11-16* App was pretty neat but volume suddenly stopped working a couple months ago. I’ve deleted and redownloaded the app and still nothing. Tried to do a live chat for help and that never works either. Don’t have time do be on a phone waiting on hold forever to try and figure it out. Just a shame. **Developer response:** Hi, thank you for reaching out - we're here to help. In order to restore sound on the app, the app Notifications have to be turned on. Try turning the notifications off and on and leaving it on. Thanks! ### 5/5 — Sound issues? *2020-10-31* If you are having sound issues, try turning notifications off and on. Notifications have to be on for sound. At least that is what worked for us. ### 5/5 — Love it *2020-07-14, version 1.5.0* I love highlights ### 2/5 — Diamonds are rocks not shapes *2019-12-28, version 1.4.1* I would give this 5 stars if it actually called a rhombus a rhombus. Why are we calling it a diamond? It’s upsetting. Pleeeeeeeaaaaasssseee update this app to reflect the plane shape’s actual name. ### 3/5 — Not fair *2019-12-14, version 1.4.1* My kid loved this game but my phone updated and I lost all the levels we had. :( ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Really *2023-12-31, version 1.5.1* NO SOUND ### 1/5 — Best value to purchase is MORE expensive than original price??? *2022-05-31, version 1.5.1* Just got a look at the purchase page in the game and it says “get them all for $7.96” except the $7.96 is crossed out and $8.49 is next to it with the words “best value” next to it. There is nothing to indicate that you’re getting more for this value and it simply lists everything for that one price regardless and there is still a second purchasable square below that of an additional game for 2.79. Explain to me how paying MORE is the better value???? ### 1/5 — If notifications are disabled, there is deliberately no sound. *2021-01-21* This is an extremely predatory practice especially for a kids app. I saw this on reddit and decided to try it for myself, and sure enough... Despite not having kids or any legitimate interest in this app, this is still a disgusting practice and this shouldn't be on the app store. **Developer response:** Hi, we're sorry you're having issues with the Shapes app. The app sound should work without notifications being enabled. Please try to fully uninstall and reinstall the app. If that does not resolve the issue, please email us at highlights-apps@highlights.com and include the type of device you're playing on so that we can further troubleshoot the issue. ### 1/5 — Shared in app purchases *2021-01-14, version 1.5.0* Can’t share in app purchases w family. ### 1/5 — No sound *2020-08-26, version 1.5.0* This app would be great if it had sound. I emailed app support and they haven’t responded. ### 1/5 — Sound issues *2020-03-28, version 1.4.1* Purchased the package but the sound isn’t working. Any suggestions on how to fix this? ### 1/5 — SERIOUSLY *2020-03-24, version 1.4.1* I paid for the locked shapes, but they don’t transfer to a new ipad?! ### 1/5 — Not allows family share *2020-01-17, version 1.4.1* Very annoying for not allowing family share. Be aware!!!! ### 1/5 — No sound *2019-12-28, version 1.4.1* I bought the preschool pack after highly recommended and there’s no sound....fully updated system 😕 and I know there should be sound ### 1/5 — After update I lost the levels I paid for *2019-11-17, version 1.4.1* I already paid for the full game. Why am I being forced to buy the full game again? App support is also broken. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Finally *2026-02-03, version 1.5.1* I HAVEN’T PLAYED THIS FOR 4 YEARS ### 5/5 — Highlights shapes *2025-09-08* This is the best game ever I used to play when I was little, but when I did I still play it even know I’m nine. I still love this game. ### 5/5 — -👨‍🎓-,-MY-,-👨‍🎓-,-FIRST-,-👨‍🎓-,-Name-,-👨‍🎓-,-IS-,-👨‍🎓-,-SAAJAN-,-👨‍🎓-,-RAJ-,- *2025-08-29, version 1.5.1* -👨‍🎓-,-my-,-👨‍🎓-,-first-,-👨‍🎓-,- name-,-👨‍🎓-,-is-,-👨‍🎓-,-saajan-,👨‍🎓-,-raj-,- ### 5/5 — Review *2025-05-23* The hidden pictures app IS both Fun 🤩 and engaging. I would recommend it for everyone. I also find it relaxingi . It’s definitely worth getting but to try to Do everyday. I found it is a good way to wind/calm down for the day. ### 5/5 — Great skill building *2025-01-10, version 1.5.1* My children have all loved this games over the years. It has great replayability. It has helped them build abstract reasoning, patience, and problem-solving. ### 5/5 — CANDY *2024-09-07, version 1.5.1* I love the candy level 😍🍬 ### 5/5 — Shapes *2023-07-13, version 1.5.1* Really good game! ### 5/5 — I can’t play this game *2022-05-15, version 1.5.1* I am playing ABCmouse ### 5/5 — Do not play this game *2022-03-28* I was just thinking **Developer response:** Hi, if there is something we can help with please email us at highlights-apps@highlights.com. Thanks! ### 5/5 — Good content *2021-01-31* I liked the content for the price on this app. When my kiddo (21 months) put two triangles together to make a diamond, he was like ohhhh. Putting the shapes together was engaging for him though he already knew all the shapes and colors before playing this and it was fairly easy for him so he was focused on the discovery part of how everything was being arranged. After reading some other parent comments, they bring up interesting points. Yes there are archaeological artifacts and spaceships if that is a concern for anyone. Honestly at 21 months I’m pretty sure he isn’t putting too much thought on that part yet and the colors are engaging. Would he have preferred more down to earth fish and animal themes, probably. But overall 5 stars cause it’s cost is reasonable for content and little guy is expanding on his shape knowledge enjoyably with this app in ways that physical puzzles would not provide easily. **Developer response:** Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a thoughtful review. We're glad your son is enjoying Shapes! --- *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 2026-07-09.*