# Hintoku: Your Sudoku Coach — Sudoku tutorials + smart hints

> Learn and master Sudoku strategies with guided puzzles and an intelligent hint system. (iPhone/iPad app by hlm solutions.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hintoku-your-sudoku-coach/id6744828400 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [hlm solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/1805352784)
- Category: Games, Board, Puzzle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 43 App Store ratings · 36 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 68 MB
- Released: 2025-09-26
- Data updated: 2026-09-07
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hintoku-your-sudoku-coach/id6744828400/reviews.md

## What is Hintoku?

Hintoku teaches sudoku, one strategy at a time. Each puzzle group introduces specific techniques — like X-Wings, Skyscrapers, and chains — with interactive demos before you play. And when you get stuck, hints escalate one tap at a time — from a tiny nudge to a full walkthrough.

Tired of getting stuck on a Sudoku puzzle and having to guess? Wish you could solve even the hardest puzzles with confidence?

Welcome to Hintoku, the Sudoku app designed to teach you. Instead of vague difficulty levels, Hintoku guides you through puzzles grouped by the exact strategies needed to solve them, one step at a time. You will always have the tools you need for the puzzle in front of you.

Key Features:

LEARN EVERY STRATEGY: Progress through a structured path, from basic techniques to advanced strategies like Skyscraper and X-Wing. Each new puzzle group teaches you the controls and the logic with interactive demos before you play.

A TRULY INTELLIGENT HINT SYSTEM: Never feel lost again. Our unique hint system guides you, it doesn't just give you the answer.

It starts by showing you the difficulty of the easiest next move available.

Need more? A tap reveals the strategy name and a specific tip to guide you.

If you're still stuck, get a full, step-by-step visual guide right on your current puzzle to see how the logic works.

SMART, EFFICIENT CONTROLS: The interface is designed to be fast and intuitive.

There is no toggle needed between modes. Simply tap a number to add or remove it as a candidate, and long-press to confirm it as the solution.

POWERFUL SOLVING TOOLS:

Use Spotlight Mode to instantly see all instances of a number, making it easier to spot patterns and solve the puzzle faster.

PLAY YOUR WAY:

Enjoy a clean, focused interface available in both Light & Dark modes to suit your preference, day or night.

Whether you're a beginner wanting to build confidence or an experienced player eager to master the most complex strategies, Hintoku is your perfect companion.

Download Hintoku today and stop just playing Sudoku—start mastering it!

## Key features

- Structured learning path for Sudoku strategies
- Interactive demos for new techniques
- Intelligent hint system with step-by-step guidance
- Efficient controls for fast gameplay
- Spotlight Mode for number highlighting
- Light and Dark mode options

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Game Unlock | $4.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 36)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hintoku-your-sudoku-coach/id6744828400/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great for practicing!

*2026-08-03, version 2.1.0*

I really have liked it in my first work with it, but I’d really also like a way to hone in on intermediate and hard concepts in a more focused way - for example, I’d love to be able to drill xy-wing recognition. An iPad adaptation with more space would also be nice - I had eye strain from it being so small. (I am using it on the iPad but some more room would be really nice for older eyes!)

### 5/5 — Intuitive and unique

*2026-07-18, version 2.1.0*

A great way to learn or get better at sudoku.  I thought i was pretty decent, but I’ve been able to learn interesting ways to get better.

### 5/5 — Learn strategies

*2026-07-07, version 2.1.0*

I was solving medium level sudokus but was getting stuck on harder ones. I looked up videos and tutorials on advanced strategies but it was hard to follow them and understand. This app teaches you the strategies and lets you practice those strategies and understand them before moving on to the next one. The hints are great and walk you through the techniques step by step. Awesome app and highly recommend to up your sudoku skills.

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2026-07-04, version 2.1.0*

An outstanding and truly professional app! It’s incredibly educational and easy to use. I’ve tried many Sudoku-solving apps before, but this one is on a whole different level. It’s by far the best one I’ve used. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys Sudoku

### 5/5 — Great

*2026-06-11, version 2.0.2*

I like all the functions and ways to learn new techniques.  Highly recommended for sudoku fans wanting to improve their skills

### 5/5 — Improve you soduko

*2026-05-30, version 2.0.1*

Excellent functions, clear tutorials, auto candidate option

### 5/5 — Great game

*2026-05-24, version 2.0.0*

Love how you can enter a sudoku puzzle. Love how it automatically puts in the hints after you have entered your puzzle and takes away. The hint marks after you placed a for sure number.

### 5/5 — Easy Learning

*2026-05-18, version 2.0.0*

Friendly learning at your pace

### 5/5 — Great features

*2026-05-17, version 2.0.0*

I’ve tried a lot of different apps to improve my pattern recognition for solving harder puzzles, and I really like the way this app works. Definitely download.

### 5/5 — Nice teaching aid!

*2026-05-10, version 1.6.5*

Teaches you all the techniques needed for solving difficult puzzles. I especially love the feature where it tells you the “next technique available” without giving away too much. Great job, developer!

## Frequently asked questions about Hintoku

### What does Hintoku do?

Hintoku is a Sudoku app designed to teach you how to solve puzzles by guiding you through specific strategies. It helps you progress from basic techniques to advanced logic, ensuring you have the tools to tackle difficult puzzles.

### How does the hint system work?

The intelligent hint system in Hintoku doesn't just give you the answer. It first shows the difficulty of the easiest next move. If needed, it can reveal the strategy name, offer a specific tip, or provide a full, step-by-step visual guide directly on your puzzle.

### Is Hintoku free to use?

The app is free to download and use, offering in-app purchases for additional content or features. This allows users to try out the core learning experience before committing to any purchases.

### What kind of strategies can I learn?

You can learn a wide range of Sudoku strategies, progressing through a structured path. This includes fundamental techniques as well as more advanced strategies like Skyscraper and X-Wing, with interactive demos to help you understand the logic.

### Who is this app for?

This app is perfect for anyone who plays Sudoku, from beginners wanting to build confidence and learn the basics, to experienced players eager to master complex strategies and solve the most challenging puzzles.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1.0 — 2026-06-23

Tidied up the level selection screen: strategy groups are now organized into clear sections, and expanding a group is smoother.

### 2.0.2 — 2026-06-03

Under-the-hood improvements and small refinements.

### 2.0.1 — 2026-05-24

Small Spotlight update: once you've placed all nine instances of a number, its Spotlight highlight turns green instead of blue. A simple way to see at a glance which numbers are finished.

### 2.0.0 — 2026-05-12

Hintoku now starts with a brand-new prequel to candidate-based solving: three new strategy groups built entirely around reasoning from solved numbers.
Learn Full House, Hidden Singles, Naked Singles, and more without relying on prefilled candidates — then move naturally into candidate-based strategies when you’re ready.

### 1.6.5 — 2026-04-20

Under-the-hood improvements and fixes.

## Apps similar to Hintoku

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Sudoku Custom - No Ads](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sudoku-custom-no-ads/id6740772715) | 4.6 (47) | Free | Games |
| [Every 5x5 Nonogram](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/every-5x5-nonogram/id6751551282) | 4.8 (28) | Free | Games |
| [Sudoku + Auto-Note](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sudoku-plus-auto-note/id6443801474) | 4.6 (58) | Free | Games |
| [Sudoku Trainer!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sudoku-trainer/id6749164735) | 5.0 (5) | Free | Games |
| [Sudoku Rabbit - Daily Puzzles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sudoku-rabbit-daily-puzzles/id6742900571) | 4.8 (37) | Free | Games |
| [Enjoy Sudoku](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/enjoy-sudoku/id6466218894) | 2.0 (4) | Free | Games |

## More apps by hlm solutions

- [PuzzPath](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puzzpath/id6743960657)

All apps by hlm solutions: https://appshunter.io/developer/1805352784

## Related topics

[hlm solutions](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/hlm-solutions) · [hintoku](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/hintoku) · [sudoku coach](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sudoku-coach)

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*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.*