# Phonics Island • Letter Sounds — user reviews > 105 indexed App Store user reviews of Phonics Island by 22LEARN Toddler and Baby Learning Games, LLC, rated 4.40/5 from 765 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonics-island-letter-sounds/id464235764/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonics-island-letter-sounds/id464235764.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 510 · 4★ 156 · 3★ 54 · 2★ 20 · 1★ 25 ## What do users think of Phonics Island? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Fun and engaging for kids - 🎓 Effective for teaching letter sounds - 🎨 Cute and colorful graphics - 🏆 Rewards system motivates learning **Cons** - 🐛 Bugs and glitches prevent progress - 🔒 Full version doesn't unlock all content - 🤔 Tracing letters can be too sensitive - 🔄 Forced to restart from beginning **Commonly reported bugs** - Game freezes on certain levels - Letter tracing not working properly - Purchased full version still limited to few letters **Most requested features** - Allow access to any level without finishing previous ones - Add more blending and word building exercises - Include both uppercase and lowercase letters ## Newest reviews (14 of 105) ### 3/5 — It only takes a little editing to make Abby the Monkey terrifying *2021-08-10* If you have the game, don’t show yours kids how to edit photos+screenshots other than that it’s okay ### 2/5 — Wish it just upgraded the trial version *2019-01-03* This app would be great if it just updated from the trial app. I bought the full version and we lost all our stickers:( ### 4/5 — Great customer support *2018-12-31* 22Learn and Phonics Island has great customer support. I emailed through their website about a glitch in Phonics Island. I got a response the same day (a weekend), and they helped troubleshoot the issue for me. I greatly appreciate the customer service. ### 4/5 — Unicorn story? *2018-01-16* How do reach the page with the unicorns (as seen in screen shot when viewing app details)? My daughter has completed every level looking for it but can't find it? ### 4/5 — Almost perfect. *2017-09-03* This is a great little game and really educational. My only criticism is that once you have reached a level then you should be able to access it as a when without having to start from the beginning. My son sometimes gets a little bored of having to repeat the same levels to get to new ones. Some more bubble pops would be good too. ### 4/5 — ISO 11 update request *2017-08-12* Pls update this app, my son loves this app it's a great learning tool. I appreciate the developer response which explained that the game has levels and the child has to finish one before moving on to the next. I look forward to the updated version that allows the child to select any level without finishing the previous, this was a request from my son. Thank you **Developer response:** Please note that the game is structured in such a way that you can access new levels only after finishing previous levels -- for example, finish the first level to unlock the second; finish the second level to unlock the third level etc. There will be an updated version soon, which will allow to run any level without finishing the previous one. ### 2/5 — Frustrated *2017-07-23, version 1.71* This app always goes back to level one even after passing the level, if the app gets minimized (not closed) it still goes back. My son loves the app, but now he's only good at it cause he does the same 4 letters all the time. I want so badly to use the other levels freely. ### 4/5 — I never do reviews... *2017-03-04* Ok, I never do reviews but I had to say something about this one. It is awesome. My son fell in love with it on sight. He is 2 and the letter sounds activities were so much fun for him. He laughed while popping the balloons and seeing things fall. So he definitely had fun while learning. I quickly realized that I needed the full version. So I purchased it. This was just the first night so I am sure he will spend lots of time learning on this app. He was very upset because I made the dreadful mistake of introducing him to the app close to bedtime. Don't make that mistake....✌🏾 ### 4/5 — We like it *2017-02-02, version 1.71* I never buy full apps. I just let me kids at few ones. But when my 2 year old was choosing correct letters after a few weeks, I broke down and bought it. The only thing is, the tracing is a bit hard, even for my 4 year old. ### 1/5 — Not worth it! *2016-08-28, version 1.71* As others have said you still don't get the full version even after purchasing. Super frustrating. It also doesn't ever say the name of the letter, it only shows the letter and makes the sound. I'm trying to get my daughter to associate the sound with the letter name, but that's not going to happen on this app. ### 4/5 — All good on iPad, but small problem with Kurio tablet *2016-07-12* My son really loves this app, but after tracing the letters so many times he doesn't want to do that anymore. I can turn that function off in the settings when using my iPad, but it does not show that function on the Kurio tablet. It just doesn't make sense because all the other options are there. I checked the developers web site and could not find a solution so I just emailed them today. I'll post if they provide a solution. P.s. Check the developers website link for solutions to most of your issues Mark ### 1/5 — Poor design *2016-04-24, version 1.71* Bought the full version today for my granddaughter. Got to level 3, then the letter p could not be traced, so she couldn't go on. Back to my preschool paper writing!!! ### 1/5 — Full Version? *2016-04-20, version 1.71* Hi. We paid for the full version but still only get s, t, a, m. Is this a glitch? ### 1/5 — Purchased the advanced...sadly! *2016-04-19, version 1.71* After trying the free version of this Phonics Island I was impressed enough to purchase the next level up for $2.99! It loaded, but is still only displaying the free version! I wish I knew how to resolve this problem! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — No sound *2021-12-30* Free version is great. This version has no sound on older ipad ### 1/5 — Error *2020-07-23* Hi there, there’s an error with tracking the letter m. I bought full version to see if that corrected it but still no successes. Can’t continue game as this page won’t continue **Developer response:** I am sorry for the issues. It should work fine. Please contact our technical support and let us know what device and iOS version you use. We will look at it. ### 1/5 — Paid for full *2020-07-18* We paid the price for full and I received no more than we previously had only 4 letters. Don’t purchase this because you get nothing for your money **Developer response:** Do you use parental control on your device? Sometimes, this error can happen when it is switched on. You can try to restore the purchase. Go to the Parents section in the app (or Settings) and tap on the Restore button. Please contact our technical support for more help. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work even though I purchased full version *2019-08-24* I have selected the option to unlock all levels, however the game will only work for the letters s,m,a and t. Total rip off. Very disappointed. **Developer response:** It is possible that you still run the free version, not the full version which you purchased (they have similar icons). Please make sure that the full version (which you purchased) is installed on your device. Please also note, that the game is structured in such a way that you can access new levels after finishing previous levels -- for example, finish the first level to unlock the second; finish the second level to unlock the third level etc. It is also possible to run any level without finishing the previous one. There should be "Unlock All Level" option at the bottom left corner. Please contact us if you need more help. ### 1/5 — Not unlocking all levels *2017-10-13* I purchased this app because my son was tracing and liked it. But after full purchase still we are getting only trial version level **Developer response:** There are 2 possible reasons: 1. You still run the free version, it has a similar icon. 2. Please note that the game is structured in such a way that you can access new levels only after finishing previous levels -- for example, finish the first level to unlock the second; finish the second level to unlock the third level etc. Important: The current version allows to run any level without finishing the previous one (there is "unlock all levels button at the main menu"). ### 1/5 — Cannot continue levels????? *2017-09-20, version 2.1.3* Seriously? This cannot be paused or continued at a level other than ONE??? There is the need to restart EVERY time?? ### 1/5 — Not happy *2017-07-21* I brought the full game and it won't let you play the whole game ripped off want my money back!!!!!!!! **Developer response:** Don't worry, you were not ripped off. There should be no problem with the full version. Please note that the game is structured in such a way that you can access new levels only after finishing previous levels -- for example, finish the first level to unlock the second; finish the second level to unlock the third level etc. There will be an updated version soon, which will allow to run any level without finishing the previous one. Please contact our technical support if you still have any issues. ### 1/5 — Rip off *2017-05-27, version 1.71* No full version after purchasing. My kid is very disappointed. Cheating kids?!! ### 1/5 — Full version not available *2017-01-26, version 1.71* Only smta available even after full version purchase ### 1/5 — Rip off - want $ back *2016-12-05, version 1.71* Purchased paid version after enjoying free version. What a rip off! Paid version is the same as free version. Does not allow you to go past first level letters. Buyer beware. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — 5 start *2025-09-28, version 2.5.1* 21 ### 5/5 — Love it *2025-05-27* Perfect for young ones. Teaches sounds instead of just letters, great for starting to read! ### 5/5 — How good this learning game is. *2024-05-05* it is so good for your kids to get smarter. ### 5/5 — Great for learning *2019-07-22* My 4 year old daughter is learning words quickly and having fun. Thanks. ### 5/5 — How many times do you have to buy?? *2019-04-18* I already bought this but all of a sudden it asks if I want to unlock the full version. What's up with that? It would be nice if the free & purchased apps had totally different icons. The grand kids love the app, but are opening the wrong one at times. **Developer response:** It looks that you run the free version, not the full version which you purchased (they have similar icons). ### 5/5 — Excellent learning app and customer service *2018-01-10* This app is great for my daughter! I have 4 of there apps and she loves them all, all great learning apps. I had an issue with downloading my purchased apps onto a new iPad and I contacted the company. Bohumil contacted me right back and helped me fix and resolve the issue immediately. Thank you Bohumil for your help! ### 5/5 — Great App!! *2015-05-30, version 1.71* Amazing app. Love the full version. Once your child completes each level it unlocks more levels. ### 5/5 — Great app for kids! *2014-08-29, version 1.71* This app is engaging and educational to the kids who need it most. It won't take long for your kids to become hooked on phonics - and that's a guarantee! The app is very cute and kid-friendly, you'll love it too! ### 5/5 — Amazing educational phonics app *2014-08-19* My daughter plays this app all the time. She loves the game where she can pop the balloons with letters on them as well as the one where she puts animals whose name begins with a particular letter into the train. I am a demanding parent when it comes to high-quality educational media for children and I am more than happy that I downloaded this app for my 4-year-old daughter. The app is very engaging and easy to use for her, and she has already learned almost all the letter sounds. If like me you have a child who is just beginning to read, Phonics Island is the way to go to get them started. Letter sounds are pronounced clearly and you have the option to choose either uppercase or lowercase letters. In sum, this is a fantastic app! ### 5/5 — Cute and fun! *2014-08-19, version 1.71* Update: Thanks for adding more new features! We just love that this educational app has a story to go along with all the learning fun! The graphics are so cute, and the sections are broken up into manageable amounts, which is nice with shorter attention spans :) very fun way to learn the letters and sounds in upper and lower case, well worth the purchase! --- *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 2026-08-28.*