# iNethack2

> Single-player dungeon exploration roguelike game with treasure hunting and survival elements. (iPhone/iPad app by Future Shock Software LTD.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inethack2/id962114968 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Future Shock Software LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/705048664)
- Category: Games, Role Playing, Strategy
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.39/5 from 137 App Store ratings · 134 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 15 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2015-02-27
- Data updated: 2026-08-30
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inethack2/id962114968/reviews.md

## What is iNethack2?

"NetHack is a single player dungeon exploration game. Your goal is to grab as much treasure as you can, retrieve the Amulet of Yendor, and escape the Mazes of Menace alive."

--

iNethack2 is an iOS port of Nethack 3.6.7. 
Original port in 2009 by Dirk Zimmermann which was called iNethack. 
Updated by Jeff King to work on modern devices, and renamed iNethack2.
Initial 3.6 update by Joe Doucette.
Various other contributions from the open source community.


iNethack2 features:
· 9 graphical tilesets (plus IBMGraphics mode, and regular ASCII mode in color and monochrome)
· 1 animated tileset: DawnHack Animated
· Touchscreen gesture controls: swipe to pan, pinch to zoom
· Customizable keyboard shortcut controls
· Hearse (bones file sharing) integration
· Works on iOS12+

Some facts about NetHack:
· The first version of NetHack was released in 1987
· NetHack was a roguelike before people used the term roguelike
· You can play NetHack for years and still make new discoveries
· NetHack is one of the greatest games of all time

## Key features

- Single-player dungeon exploration
- Treasure collection and escape
- Multiple graphical tilesets
- Touchscreen gesture controls
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts
- Bones file sharing integration

## What do users think of iNethack2?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🎮 Faithful port of classic NetHack game
- 📱 Well-designed touch interface for mobile
- 🎨 Multiple tileset options available
- ♾️ Infinite replayability and depth
- 🆓 Free to play with no paywalls
- ⚙️ Customizable controls and shortcuts
- 💾 Automatic save functionality
- 🔄 Regular updates and active maintenance
- 🎯 Accessible for both new and veteran players
- 📊 Impressive complexity and game mechanics

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 💾 Game files corrupted or lost unexpectedly
- ⌨️ Limited external keyboard support
- 🎮 Clunky movement controls
- 🖱️ Double-tap sensitivity issues
- 📱 Mobile interface not fully optimized
- 🔤 Chinese pinyin keyboard input causes crashes
- ✨ Missing visual effects and animations
- 🎨 Outdated graphics and UI design
- 🔍 Visibility issues in corridors

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Game crashes when using inventory (I command)
- Crashes on Plane of Water during save restore
- File corruption errors when switching apps
- Game freezes with Chinese pinyin keyboard input
- Crashes when equipping rings
- Crashes when dropping items
- Crashes when accessing discoveries list
- Cannot open level files error (501mobile.50)
- Game unrecoverable after certain actions
- Double-tap causes unintended character movement
- Floor tiles not rendering in corridors
- Crashes on iOS 11+ when dropping items
- Waiting for logfile access message loops
- Game crashes immediately on startup for some users

**Most requested features**

- Separate button labels from command values
- External Bluetooth keyboard support
- Directional pad for movement
- Swipe-based movement controls
- Character name customization
- Pet naming functionality
- Partial item stack management
- Cloud save synchronization across devices
- iPad Magic Keyboard support
- Japanese language localization
- Toggle for sparkle effects
- Multiple simultaneous game saves
- NetHack version 3.6+ support
- Slash'Em port for iOS
- Voice over support for accessibility
- Options file editing capability
- Discoveries list access without crashes

## Recent user reviews (10 of 134)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inethack2/id962114968/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Great potential; needs mobile-friendly interface.

*2026-04-03, version 2.1.5*

Great game. I almost love this mobile version of the game if not for the lack of easy controls, which makes it basically unplayable.

Every action takes so long to scroll through a menu and find. Better controls would make a huge difference. 

This could be fixed by making it so that keyboard shortcuts only show up when you are able to use them. That way, the controls you need are always on screen. 

Movement controls are very difficult, and it’s very easy to miss-click and have the character move a mile and die of hunger. Adding 8 large movement arrows would be very helpful. Alternatively, allowing the character move in the direction of swiping the screen would fix this. 

Simple changes like this would make the game infinitely more playable. 

I wish the mobile controls were better. It would I would honestly play this game on mobile all the time if it were better. I really hope this gets improved. 

Thanks for reading. Please improve the mobile interface.

### 5/5 — NetHack is The Ultimate RogueLike

*2026-03-28, version 2.1.5*

Turn into a dragon. Be female (or become female). Lay eggs. Hatch a dragon army that calls you mommy. They grow up and leave the nest. You find them many turns later and they murder you. Then you discover your grave 20 games later and they kill your reincarnation. 

“Do you want your possessions identified?”

Read a scroll. What class of monsters do you wish to genocide? Genocide mindflayers (h) but you’re a dwarf (h) and perish instantly with or without lifesaving. 

“DYWYPI?”

Get a wish. Wish for a powerful artifact. The Orb of Fate. It’s intelligent and blasts you when it enters your grasp. You die. 

“DYWYPI?”

Zap an unidentified wand. The beam of disintegration rebounds off the wall and hits you. You die. 

“DYWYPI?”

You are blind. You hear an unseen monster hiss. You throw Mjolnir, killing it, but it returns and strikes you because you can’t see it. Your rings and wands get shocked and explode. You feel for loot and your ungloved hand brushes the cockatrice corpse. You turn to stone. 

“DYWYPI?”

Get swallowed by a purple worm. It’s cozy in here. You are being digested. But at least your safe from the arch lich out there. Buuurp! You get digested.

“DYWYPI?”

You’re levitating across a body of water. Eels snap at your heels but slide off your oilskin cloak.  A nymph blocks the shore. You strike them with Excalibur. They wake up, and pluck the ring of levitation from your finger. You drown.

“DYWYPI?”

You kick down the door. It’s a shop, the shopkeeper gets angry and demands 750 zorkmids as payment. You refuse. They blast you with magic missile. You die. 

“DYWYPI?”

 It has been in development since the 80’s and was one of the first open-source projects developed entirely remotely. 

It may be part of a museum exhibit, but this game is a fast-paced, polished, and filled to bursting with witty and deep mechanics that will make you laugh and cry. 

I love NetHack. Every game I learn something new. Have played since I was a kid.

### 1/5 — Unusable on Mac

*2026-02-14, version 2.1.5*

Keeps freezing - a pity!

### 5/5 — Good, Solid App of Nethack

*2026-02-07, version 2.1.5*

Been playing Nethack for over 30 years, and although I love the game I find it difficult to sit down at my computer to play regularly. 

Having it on my phone allows me to play in small increments while in the go. The updated color and font scheme for the items and monster also works well. 

If you have never played NetHack and like dungeon crawls then I highly recommend you give it try. If you love NetHack and need an easy, accessible way to play when you have little to no time, this app is perfect for you.

### 4/5 — Get rid of the Orc level at mine town

*2026-01-21, version 2.1.5*

Its called the Gnomish mines for a reason.  Whoever added that really did this game a huge disservice.  Part of getting to Mine Town is so you can go shopping.  Get rid of Orc Town and it will be 5 stars

### 5/5 — Please

*2026-01-05, version 2.1.5*

Subject: Feature Request: Separate Shortcut Labels and Commands (Optional Toggle for Originality)

Dear Developer,

First of all, thank you for providing such a great way to play NetHack on iOS. I am a dedicated player who truly enjoys the depth and complexity of this game.

I am writing to suggest a feature improvement regarding the Shortcut Bar. Currently, when I customize a shortcut, the text entered acts as both the button's label and the actual command sent to the game. For example, if I want a button for "Search" that sends the 's' command, I have to name it 's'. If I name it "Search," the game executes 'S-e-a-r-c-h' as individual keystrokes.

Could you please add an option to separate the "Button Label" and the "Command Value"?

I understand that preserving the originality and classic feel of NetHack is very important. Therefore, I suggest adding this as a toggleable option in the Settings menu. This way:

Players who want the modern convenience can enable separate labels (e.g., Label: "Search" / Command: "s").

Players who prefer the original behavior ("They usually do what's written on them") can keep the feature disabled.

This addition would significantly improve the user experience for mobile players while respecting the game's traditional roots.

Thank you for your time and for maintaining this wonderful app.

Best regards

### 5/5 — Fun game, here’s some tips (for beginners)

*2025-09-14, version 2.1.5*

Quite fun once you get to know it, but it’ll take a while before you get to know it. Of course, this is by design, but I think a little bit of knowledge at first would help make the game more accessible. 

Ok you got me I just made this review just to give tips.

1. Eat your fallen enemies (just do it)   
2. Sacrifice your fallen enemies (to an altar, any altar)
3. Stuck? Use “s” to find hidden doors and passages (may need to do more than once)
4. Don’t be (too) afraid to use things lying on the ground
5. “AC” is short for armor class; smaller number = less damage 
6. Not sure of something? Experiment!

a. Go to the app’s settings to change your name, the symbol boulders use and other mostly cosmetic stuff (and also enable wizard mode to be able to not die and stuff)
b. Tap and hold one of the buttons for a second on the bar to add, remove or edit a button
c. There are multiple commands that are not readily available on the bar by default; press the “abc” button to bring up the keyboard, then input “&” followed by another command to figure out what it does (my favorite is /)
d. In, for example, the drop menu, tap and hold on an item until its background becomes a mildly brighter shade if grey, then swipe left to specify amounts

### 5/5 — Best mobile game of all time

*2025-09-14, version 2.1.5*

Best mobile game of all time

### 5/5 — So good

*2025-08-08, version 2.1.5*

Been playing this for years. Just something about it that feels like there are a million fun secrets

### 4/5 — A bug

*2025-05-27, version 2.1.5*

Any keyboard input in Chinese pinyin keyboard cause the game to freeze and crash

## Frequently asked questions about iNethack2

### What is iNethack2?

iNethack2 is an iOS port of the classic single-player dungeon exploration game, NetHack. It allows players to delve into mazes, collect treasure, and attempt to retrieve the Amulet of Yendor while surviving.

### What are the key features of iNethack2?

The app offers multiple graphical tilesets, including animated options, along with intuitive touchscreen gesture controls for movement and zooming. It also provides customizable keyboard shortcuts and integration for bones file sharing.

### Is iNethack2 free to play?

Yes, iNethack2 is a free application. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, making it entirely free to download and play.

### What devices is iNethack2 compatible with?

iNethack2 is designed to work on iOS 12 and later versions. It has been updated to function on modern devices, ensuring a smooth experience for current iPhone and iPad users.

### What is the goal of the game?

The primary goal in iNethack2 is to explore dangerous dungeons, gather as much treasure as possible, retrieve the legendary Amulet of Yendor, and successfully escape the Mazes of Menace alive. It's a game of strategy, survival, and discovery.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1.5 — 2025-03-24

• New Animated Tileset: "DawnHack Animated"
Based on the DawnHack tileset, this adds a second frame of animation to all monsters and some other dungeon features. Enable it in the App Settings!

Other updates:
• New monospace font dialog window to make intro and ending text more readable.
• When using DawnHack (regular and animated), tiles will now be obfuscated until they are identified in-game. No more cheating by seeing that bag is has teeth before you put your hand in it!
• Credits page updated and links now work again.
• Corridors are now lit by default.
• Some minor UI fixes.

### 2.1.4 — 2025-02-12

• New Tileset: DuskHack
A colourful and clean new tileset, available in the App Settings. Definitely worth checking out!

• New Setting: View menu letters
Especially for the old school players, this will make inventory and menu letters visible, which is helpful for keeping track of similar items in inventory. Enable this in the App Settings.

• New Feature: Add new shortcuts to the shortcuts bar (finally!)
Long press any shortcut on the shortcut bar to bring up the shortcut menu. There is a new "Add new shortcut" menu item. It will add a blank shortcut next to the one you are on which you can then edit.

• Statue tiles now show monster statues instead of the default statue tile!

• Animations are now visible. There previously was no delay between frames so you usually couldn't see animations. That is fixed now. Wands and boulder traps become more fun. This also means you can watch the path you take when doing Travel mode, which is pretty cool.

• Bug fix: Haptics would stop working if you left and then returned to the app. This is fixed.

Thanks to the community for the help and suggestions, many of which are part of this update. 
Again thanks for playing. Another update is coming soon!

### 2.1.3 — 2025-02-04

-Inverted Black & White mode: useful for text mode tilesets (ASCII, IBMGraphics) to give you a white background (default off)
-Haptic feedback mode: Supported devices will vibrate to indicate when you take damage (default on)

Both settings can be enabled in Settings > Apps > iNethack2.

(Thanks to @silentrocco for the suggestions and feedback)

New updates are in the queue... thanks for playing!

### 2.1.2 — 2023-03-22

(Highly recommend to update as this fixes a bug that can affect character stats)

· Fixed nasty bug which cause stat effects from items to be applied when saved game was resumed. Thanks to the few anon people who reported this!
· Guidebook link updated (thanks Keni!)
· Enabled "seduce" for Foocubus

Thanks again for those who have reported issues, it's a huge help.

### 2.1.1 — 2023-03-19

· Added IBMGraphics tileset mode! Complete with the special Rogue level symbols.
· Added in Tiles32 (Classic) tileset, for those who preferred the old 3.4.3 style tiles.
· NetHack core updated to the latest official release 3.6.7

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## Related topics

[inethack2](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/inethack2) · [nethack](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/nethack) · [pathos nethack](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pathos-nethack)

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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 2026-08-30.*
