# Initial Code

> Phonics app for learning English reading and spelling skills on iPad. (iPhone/iPad app by Sounds-Write Ltd.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/initial-code/id769196201 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Sounds-Write Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/769196204)
- Category: Education, Games, Word
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 15 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 83 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-01-14
- Data updated: 2026-06-07
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/initial-code/id769196201/reviews.md

## What is Initial Code?

The official app for the Sounds-Write Initial Code phonics programme, for learning to read and spell in English.

******* IPAD ONLY ******* This app is currently unavailable on the iPhone because of the writing element of the app.

For young children to become fluent readers and spellers they need to rehearse and consolidate what they are learning. It is this, repeated over and over again, that enables their access to alphabetic code knowledge and skills to become totally automatic and internalised processes.

This app offers a variety of activities to develop the skills of blending and segmenting, sound spelling correspondence, word reading and writing and some sentences reading and writing.

The app has been designed to introduce all the sound-spelling correspondences your child(ren) needs to learn to put them well on the way to learning to read and write.

Each unit will be locked until the child has completed enough of the current unit to be able to progress.

For more information on the Sounds-Write programme please visit www.sounds-write.co.uk

## Key features

- Reading and spelling practice
- Blending and segmenting activities
- Sound-spelling correspondence
- Word and sentence reading/writing
- Unit-based progression
- Reinforces learning through repetition

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock All Content | $5.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 15)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/initial-code/id769196201/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Not working

*2025-04-01, version 2.0.4*

How do you get out of the adult area

### 5/5 — Great App

*2021-04-17, version 2.0.2*

I purchased this to support some children in my classroom. I love all the elements if it. I suggest reading over all the instructions carefully as it has some great tips and explanations. I also like how up to 5 children can have a profile and these can have adjusted starting levels. 

Even though a child may know many of the initial code by sight, if they cannot independently and correctly form the letter, starting at the beginning is something to consider. 

The only thing I have noticed is that the pronunciation of the sound for “m” and “n” are so similar that I could hardly hear a difference. I like the UK accent as it is close enough to the Australian one for children to understand it.

### 3/5 — Useful for our 4 year old

*2020-11-19, version 2.0.2*

The app really helps well to master basic reading and writing skills. 
Suggestions for a feature request:
- tracing: rate accuracy
- tracing: check the starting point of each line element and check if a correct up/ down stroke has been executed

### 5/5 — Amazing

*2020-02-19, version 2.0.2*

When I introduced this to my child , she did not understand letters, now she can write words and read small sentences! This is why I give this app five stars!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👍👍👍

### 5/5 — Initial Code Sounds Write

*2019-04-26, version 2.0.2*

I think this is an excellent support tool in helping teach children to read and write.

### 4/5 — Phonics fun

*2018-11-13, version 2.0.2*

My pupils loved this so much we put the full version on all our school iPads and they look forward to finishing a 1:1 session with this app.

### 3/5 — Good educationally sound app but ...

*2017-12-28, version 1.2.2*

I find the voiceover has a speech impediment. ‘R’ is not properly pronounced. The app shuts down for no apparent reason and no amount of re-opening helps. There are at least two spelling errors in the sentences section. Eg ‘of’ for ‘off’. Finally, it is not complete. Where are the rest of the Unit 13 consonant digraph? Eg. ‘wh’,  and ‘qu’ etc?
Still, it is very helpful for early readers starting out.

### 5/5 — Paid version worth the $7.99

*2017-07-31, version 1.2.2*

This is a review of the paid version of this app. Sounds-Write is a synthetic phonics curriculum used in classrooms in the UK and I reckon it is one of the best available. I downloaded this free version that only has three units then paid for the rest of the units ($7.99). Love the structure of this phonics program, using it with my son who is halfway through Grade One, struggling to read, so we have started again at the beginning. This app is very high quality, based on sound principles, letting the child learn one thing at a time. Really want Sounds-Write to create an app for extended code, and a moveable alphabet.

### 4/5 — Great content. But misleading purchase plan

*2017-05-27, version 1.2.2*

This is a great tool for my 4 year old learning her phonics.

What is disappointing is that once you download the app it only gives you the option of buying the full content in two separate packages of £3.99 each in the "Settings" section. Says full content download purchase is "unavailable."

However if you go back to iTunes you are given the option to buy the full content for just £4.99 as well as buying it in two separate packages.

I find this misleading. It also leaves a bad aftertaste in the mouth given this is a kids' education app. I understand they have to make money but this type of sales strategy undermines what is otherwise an excellent app.

### 1/5 — Crashes

*2016-11-17, version 1.2.2*

Crashes seconds into the app. Tried on different devices and iOS

## Frequently asked questions about Initial Code

### What is Initial Code?

Initial Code is an educational app designed to help young children learn to read and spell in English. It focuses on phonics, blending, segmenting, and sound-spelling correspondences through various interactive activities.

### Is Initial Code available on iPhone?

No, Initial Code is currently unavailable on the iPhone due to the app's writing functionality. It is exclusively designed for iPad.

### How does Initial Code help children learn?

The app reinforces learning through repetition, a key element for children to master alphabetic code knowledge and skills. It offers activities for blending, segmenting, word reading/writing, and sentence reading/writing.

### Does Initial Code have ads?

No, Initial Code does not contain advertisements.

### What devices support Initial Code?

Initial Code is supported on iPad devices. It is not compatible with iPhone or other platforms.

### How does progression work in Initial Code?

Each unit within the app is locked until the child completes enough of the current unit to demonstrate proficiency. This ensures a structured learning path.

### What is the age rating for Initial Code?

Initial Code has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young children beginning their literacy journey.

### When was Initial Code last updated?

The latest version of Initial Code, 2.0.4, was last updated on November 26, 2021.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.4 — 2021-11-26

Improved UI for Dark Mode Theme.
Users can now click on a unit to select it as well as use the existing scroll options.
When repeating a previously completed unit, the unit remains selected as opposed to jumping back to the highest available unit.
Improved unit completion rates layout in child's profile.
Improved user experience creating/managing accounts/child profiles.

### 2.03 — 2021-07-12

Updates to bring the app in line with the latest iOS software & devices

### 2.0.2 — 2018-04-03

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Minor Bug Fixes

### 2.0.1 — 2018-03-06

Bug Fixes

### 2.0.0 — 2018-02-16

Bug Fixes & Stability Improvements

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## More apps by Sounds-Write Ltd

- [Initial Code Full Version](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/initial-code-full-version/id1090472733)

All apps by Sounds-Write Ltd: https://appshunter.io/developer/769196204

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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 2026-06-07.*