# Puzzle Sidekick

> Puzzle hunt and ARG tools, reference material, and codebreaking utilities. (iPhone/iPad app by Netninja.com.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puzzle-sidekick/id678644111 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Netninja.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/374959433)
- Category: Reference, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 109 App Store ratings · 14 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 8 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-01-08
- Data updated: 2026-08-15
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puzzle-sidekick/id678644111/reviews.md

## What is Puzzle Sidekick?

Puzzle Sidekick is a set of tools, reference material, and links for anyone who plays The Game, solves puzzle hunts, plays Alternate Reality Games, participates in transmedia storytelling, or solves puzzle trails. The tools range from decoder-ring style codebreaking to countdown timer prediction. The reference material includes word frequency, morse code, semaphore, and more. 

*NOTE* This application is for iOS 7 only. If you are stuck on an earlier version of iOS, you can still use the “ARG Tools” app.

Included in this package are:
• Dictionary:
  ◦ Search for words matching patterns (e.g. all possible crossword answers)
• Encoding/Decoding:
  ◦ ROT-N (from 1 to 26, including ROT-13)
  ◦ BASE64
  ◦ Vigenere / Beaufort
  ◦ Transposition
  ◦ Substitution
• Character Encodings
  ◦ Baudot Code
  ◦ Braille
  ◦ Fingerspelling
  ◦ Letters to numbers (1..26) and ASCII
  ◦ Nautical Flags
  ◦ Moon Alphabet
  ◦ Morse Code (two representations)
  ◦ Myst D'ni Glyphs
  ◦ Phonetic alphabet
  ◦ Pigpen Cipher (two representations)
  ◦ Roman Numerals
  ◦ Semaphore (two representations)
• Tools and Reference
  ◦ Telephone digits to letters (2=ABC, 3=DEF, etc.), optionally constrained by dictionary words. 228 becomes ACT, BAT, and CAT
  ◦ A red/green/blue color mixer with hex and decimal values
  ◦ A list of common English words, letters, letter pairs
  ◦ Billiard ball colors
  ◦ Books of the Bible
  ◦ Countdown timer prediction
  ◦ Dart board scoring
  ◦ Dewey Decimal System
  ◦ ISO Country Codes
  ◦ Mathematical Constants, Prime Numbers
  ◦ Music Notes and their Frequencies
  ◦ Password Generator
  ◦ Periodic Table
  ◦ Planets
  ◦ Resistor Color Codes
  ◦ Ring Sizes
  ◦ Zodiac, Chinese Zodiac
  ◦ Quick access to Google, Wikipedia, Sudoku Step-Solving, Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences

The design goals of this application include:
• Easy to use in the field
• Small enough to be downloadable over the air so you can quickly obtain it without WiFi access
• Free-as-in-beer!

## Key features

- Codebreaking tools (ROT-N, Vigenere, Substitution)
- Character encoding references (Morse, Semaphore, Braille)
- Word pattern matching dictionary
- Countdown timer prediction
- Color mixer and password generator
- Extensive reference lists (constants, periodic table, zodiac)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 14)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puzzle-sidekick/id678644111/reviews.md

### 5/5 — So so good

*2025-10-04, version 2.5*

Whoever made this, I have so much respect for you. It works well. There is no nonsense. It does exactly what I need. 10/10

### 4/5 — There is one problem with dark mode

*2021-01-16, version 2.5*

It’s that semaphore letter m does not become dark.

### 5/5 — Awesome!!!

*2018-11-23, version 2.2*

I’m so stoked by this app.  It’s amazing how much information and useful tools are inside.  I will be using it for Geocaching as well as educating myself.

### 5/5 — Nice app

*2018-04-19, version 2.2*

This is a fun little app for puzzles and codes. Never had the slightest problem with it.

### 5/5 — A Great App

*2017-11-10, version 2.2*

Only just found this app as ARG Tools will no longer work now I’m using iOS 11. Looks even better! Had loads of use from ARG and recommended to others. 
Thanks.

### 5/5 — Great program

*2017-09-22, version 2.2*

I was worried that the program ARG Tools was going away because of the update to OS 11. It is now better than ever. This is an excellent program. Thanks for updating it.

### 5/5 — I'm just stunned 😹

*2017-08-24, version 2.2*

A couple days ago I contacted the developer for the original version of this app (AGR tools) I had used the app for a few hours and found out it didn't support upcoming iOS 11 so they contacted me and I'm glad to know it's here and better than the old version

### 5/5 — Hits its niche brilliantly

*2017-04-12, version 2.1*

This will likely be of no use or relevance for 98% of people and the go-to tool for the remaining 2%. No ads or other nonsense. A labour of love and a joy to use. Thank you, Brian!

### 5/5 — Useful

*2017-03-04, version 2.0*

Definitely a nifty little app for helping you with ARGs, classic encryption, or just helpful little bits of information. Definitely a more clean reimplement of the original app.

### 5/5 — Love it

*2017-02-22, version 2.0*

I like this app

## Frequently asked questions about Puzzle Sidekick

### What does Puzzle Sidekick do?

Puzzle Sidekick is a collection of tools, reference materials, and links designed to assist players of puzzle hunts, Alternate Reality Games (ARGs), and similar puzzle-solving activities. It offers various codebreaking utilities, reference lists for common data, and helpful tools for field use.

### What are the key features of Puzzle Sidekick?

Key features include a wide array of encoding and decoding tools like ROT-N, Vigenere, and Substitution ciphers. It also provides extensive reference material such as Morse code, semaphore, Braille, word frequency lists, mathematical constants, and quick links to online resources.

### Is Puzzle Sidekick free to use?

Yes, Puzzle Sidekick is completely free to use. The application is designed to be easily obtainable without Wi-Fi access and is provided free of charge.

### What devices is Puzzle Sidekick compatible with?

This application is specifically designed for iOS 7. If you are using an earlier version of iOS, you may need to look for alternative applications like 'ARG Tools'.

### Who would benefit from using Puzzle Sidekick?

Puzzle Sidekick is ideal for anyone involved in solving puzzle hunts, participating in Alternate Reality Games (ARGs), engaging in transmedia storytelling, or tackling puzzle trails. It provides essential tools and information for these activities.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.5 — 2020-12-08

● Modernization for the latest iPhones and iOS
● Dark mode

### 2.2 — 2017-05-05

This version adds the following features:
● A tool to turn phone numbers into words (2=ABC, 3=DEF, etc.), optionally constrained by dictionary words. 228 becomes ACT, BAT, and CAT
● Added a Braille entry keypad as an alternate view under the Braille table.

It also makes the following fix:
● The Braille character for '/' has been corrected.

### 2.1 — 2017-04-11

This version is mostly internal updates: changes for modern versions of iOS, crash fixes, and some minor cosmetic changes. It paves the way for cool stuff in the future. The largest change you'll notice is the addition of element numbers 114-118 to the periodic table.

### 2.0 — 2014-04-11

New in version 2.0:

• iPad Version — Puzzle Sidekick is now a universal binary with both iPhone and iPad support
• Fixed font size issue on “P.M.” screen for 3.5" iPhones
• Added random password generator that strings together dictionary words

### 1.0 — 2014-01-08

No release notes.

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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 2026-08-15.*