# Ions > Interactive light particle sandbox for creating dynamic visual patterns. (iPhone/iPad app by Douglas Applewhite.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ions/id414602147 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Douglas Applewhite](https://appshunter.io/developer/414602150) - Category: Entertainment - Price: Free - Rating: 3.80/5 from 13 App Store ratings · 68 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 6.0 · 13 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2011-01-18 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ions/id414602147/reviews.md ## What is Ions? Ions was selected by Apple as a New and Noteworthy app in February and was the #1 Entertainment app for nearly a week! Ions was then selected as a Staff Favorite in March! Control up to 20,000 particles of light! Ions is an addictive virtual sandbox where you can create dazzling patterns in realtime. Ions runs at 60 fps and really shows off the power of the iPad. There are infinite creative possibilities with Ions - you won't be able to put it down! Use your fingers to either paint with ions or interact with them. Place emitters to control where new ions are created and their initial speeds and directions. Then use fields to either attract or repel ions, altering their velocities. Accelerometer support allows the ions to respond to gravity. You also have five different looks to choose from; each one completely changes the appearance of the ions. Additionally, you can save and load your favorite layouts at any time. ## Key features - Control up to 20,000 particles - Real-time pattern creation - Interactive painting with ions - Emitter placement for ion control - Attract/repel fields - Accelerometer support - Five visual styles ## Recent user reviews (10 of 68) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ions/id414602147/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Yes *2024-02-04* I missed this game so much. This game is fire 🔥I’m a fan of art 🖼 . There’s so many ways to have fun with this game ### 5/5 — Bye stress! *2023-01-17, version 1.2* I use this app whenever I’m stressed and it gets cured! ### 4/5 — Very very cool *2020-09-22, version 1.2* Love this kind of stuff. Fun... and I don’t have to kill or crash anything. ### 5/5 — Shiny! *2017-03-20, version 1.2* Excellent time waster, and for the geeky, an excellent way to play with magnetic fields. What fun! ### 5/5 — Cooler than it looks *2015-09-07, version 1.2* This is a cool app. Shows beauty on iPad if you get the emitters to go slowly and have force against the dust. Very fun, and keeps me entertained. Can also make many shapes, and all sorts of cool designs if you play around long enough and figure out how. I recommend this app. It's fun! ### 1/5 — Rainbow isn't working *2014-03-11, version 1.1.1* The rainbow color isn't working. ### 3/5 — Dad *2014-02-24, version 1.1.1* Loved this game on my iPad, but the multi color part does not work on my iPad Air. ### 5/5 — best app *2014-01-31, version 1.1.1* One of the layout is broken but it is great ### 5/5 — Please update with more control - *read* *2013-11-16, version 1.1.1* I love this app - I want to be able to create a system. A hybrid of this app along with something like "electrons" app where we could assign / draw boarders with ( + or - ) charges would be fantastic. Please consider some of these suggestions and update this. Also a fun - but unnecessary feature could be 3d tv AirPlay like Vito's solar system app would be fun too. This app has spurred countless 10's of hours of pure creative brainstorming for me. Please give us more ... Please ### 5/5 — Get it now! *2013-05-18, version 1.1.1* Great time waster, awesome graphics, and so relaxing to just watch. A must get for ANYONE WITH AN IPAD!! ## Frequently asked questions about Ions ### What is Ions? Ions is an interactive virtual sandbox application where users can create and manipulate up to 20,000 particles of light in real-time. It allows for the creation of dazzling visual patterns through touch interactions and various control mechanisms. ### How do I interact with the ions? You can interact with the ions by painting with them directly using your fingers. Additionally, you can place emitters to control where new ions are created and their initial speeds and directions. Fields can also be used to attract or repel ions, altering their velocities. ### Is Ions free to download and use? Based on the provided information, the application is free to download and use. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a completely free experience. ### What devices is Ions compatible with? The description specifically mentions that Ions 'really shows off the power of the iPad' and was selected as a Staff Favorite by Apple. This suggests it is optimized for and compatible with Apple's iPad devices. ### What are some common use cases for Ions? Users can employ Ions for creative expression, generating unique visual art, or simply for an addictive and engaging interactive experience. It's also suitable for exploring physics-based simulations of particle behavior in a visually appealing way. ## Version history (last 4 releases) ### 1.2 — 2015-08-19 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. Bug fixes. Higher resolution artwork. ### 1.1.1 — 2011-05-22 Saving works again! Added workaround for iOS bug that caused saving a layout to crash Ions. ### 1.1 — 2011-02-24 Notable improvements in version 1.1: - Saved layouts are visible through iTunes file sharing. You can now swap your favorites with friends! - Added an option to disable sleep so you can watch your creations uninterrupted. - Both landscape orientations are now supported (home button on left or right). ### 1.0 — 2011-01-18 No release notes. ## Apps similar to Ions | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [A Screen of Water](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-screen-of-water/id1391581253) | 4.8 (27) | Free | Entertainment | | [Magical Rays](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magical-rays/id445795692) | 4.5 (188) | Free | Entertainment | | [Simpleffects](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simpleffects/id1036930769) | 4.7 (310) | Free | Entertainment | | [DreamTunes - Music Visualizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dreamtunes-music-visualizer/id458960324) | 3.3 (17) | Free | Entertainment | | [Atomus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atomus/id1605327908) | 4.8 (524) | Free | Entertainment | | [Wally HD Wallpaper](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wally-hd-wallpaper/id1563908200) | 4.0 (4) | Free | Entertainment | ## More apps by Douglas Applewhite - [Filtration](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/filtration/id915464748) - [Ions 2+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ions-2-plus/id1025193815) - [Ballino](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ballino/id6754536617) All apps by Douglas Applewhite: https://appshunter.io/developer/414602150 --- *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 2026-06-10.*