Crosswords for iPhone $9.99

Available on the iPhone App Store

System Requirements

Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch. Requires iPhone 2.0 Software Update.

Frequently Asked Questions:

General Questions

  1. What is the difference between Crossword Light and Crosswords for iPhone?

    Crossword Light is free and has the same puzzle solving features as Crosswords for iPhone, but you can only use it to solve the pre-installed 31 puzzles that come with it. If you want to download new puzzles from crossword providers, you have to upgrade to Crosswords for iPhone.

  2. What newspaper puzzles and providers does Crosswords for iPhone support??

    Crosswords for iPhone can retrieve puzzles from the following free providers:

    • Houston Chronicle/Washington Post (CrossSynergy Syndicate)*
    • New York Sun
    • New York Times Classic Crosswords
    • The Onion A.V. Club Crossword
    • Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday
    • Sydney Morning Herald
    • Thinks.com
    • Wall Street Journal
    • Village Voice
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • The Independent
    • The Globe & Mail
    • The Herald
    • Manchester Evening News

    Washington Post puzzles are identical to the Monday-Saturday Houston Chronicle and Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer crosswords.

  3. Does Crosswords for iPhone support cryptic crosswords?

    Yes, Crosswords for iPhone supports cryptic crosswords!

  4. Does Crosswords for iPhone support diagramless crosswords?

    Unfortunately, at this time, Crosswords for iPhone does not support diagramless crosswords, however, support for diagramless puzzles may be added in a future version.

  5. I have a paid account with a newspaper – can I use my account to download puzzles from their website?

    Yup! Go to your puzzle list and tap the 'Options' gear at the bottom of the screen. Scroll down to 'Premium Subscription' and enter in your username and password. The next time you download new puzzles, it'll retrieve the latest puzzle from that website!

    If you want to verify that your credentials are correct, tap on the 'Validate Info' button. If you've entered your username and password correctly, you should see the following alert:

  6. Can I upload or import my own puzzles?

    At this time, Crosswords for iPhone does not allow you to upload or import your own puzzles.

  7. Can I use Crosswords if my iPod touch isn't connected via WiFi?

    Yes, you can fill in crosswords if you aren't connected to the internet. However, you can only download puzzles via your phone's internet connection or via WiFi.

  8. How many puzzles can Crosswords for iPhone hold?

    There is no limit to the number of puzzles Crosswords for iPhone can contain, however, the program may take longer to display the puzzle list screen if you have stored more than 150 puzzles.

  9. I registered Crosswords for Palm OS/Pocket PC. What is your upgrade policy?

    Unfortunately, due to limitations with the iPhone App Store, we cannot issue free upgrades for previously registered Crossword Puzzles users. For current Crosswords for iPhone users, all updates and upgrades will be free.

  10. I have some ideas and suggestions for Crosswords for iPhone!

    We'd love to hear your feedback! Simply email them to us at sales@standalone.com and we'll get right back to you!

Downloading and Playing Puzzles

  1. How do I get new puzzles?

    To get new puzzles, simply tap the 'Get Today's Puzzles' button at the top of the puzzle list. This will automatically download all of the latest crossword puzzles to your handheld.

  2. But I want more puzzles! How do I play older puzzles?

    You can download older puzzles from our archives by tapping the + button at the top of the puzzle list screen. Then all you have to do is choose which day you want puzzles from!

  3. I'm sick of my puzzles. How do I remove them?

    To delete puzzles from your puzzle list, tap 'Edit'. Want to delete all of the puzzles, or just your incomplete, or completed puzzles? Tap the 'Delete' button and then select an option. Want to delete a few puzzles? Tap the 'Edit' button, then tap the button the left of the puzzle to select it, and tap the red 'Delete' button.

  4. Can I download a puzzle that I've already deleted?

    No problem - just tap on the '+' and bring up the puzzle archive calendar. Tap and hold on the date of the puzzle you deleted. A prompt will come up asking you if you want to re-download all puzzles for that day - tap 'Download'.

  5. How do I navigate the puzzle grid?

    If you're playing in portrait mode, you should see a left and right triangle at the corners on the bottom of the screen. You can use those to jump back and forth through the grid.

  6. How do I switch between across and down?

    Just tap on the active, yellow square with two fingers to toggle between across and down. If you're playing the puzzle in portrait mode, you can also tap on the middle of the clue bar at the bottom of the screen.

  7. Can I fill in my answers in 'pencil' instead of in 'pen'?

    Yes, you can! In the bottom-left-hand corner of the keyboard (below the 'A'), you should see a pen or pencil icon. Tap that button to change whether you want to answer in pencil or pen.

  8. Can I enter multiple letters in a square?

    Yes – simply tap and hold on a square. Not only will this magnify that section of the grid, but you'll see the label 'Letters' pop up. While still holding down on the square, tap the 'Letters' label with your second finger. This'll allow you to enter multiple characters into that square.

  9. Can I enter numbers in a square?

    Some puzzles, such as the occasional puzzle from the New York Times, requires the ability to enter a number into the grid. To enter a number into a square, simply tap and hold down any letter key on the keyboard.

    After holding for a second, a numeric pop-up keyboard will appear – do not lift up your finger! Simply drag your finger up onto the number you want to enter into the grid. Once you lift your finger from the screen, the numeric keyboard will disappear.

  10. Are there other ways? What's that symbol with the four triangles for?

    Tapping that button will bring up a directional pad that'll allow you to easily jump through the grid one square at a time. To toggle it off, simply tap the button again.

  11. Can I hide the keyboard?

    Yes! To hide the keyboard, simply tap and swipe from the top of the keyboard down to the bottom. If you're having problems, try tapping down on 'Y' and then quickly slide your finger down to the bottom (or side) of the screen.

    To display the keyboard, simply double-tap any square.

  12. I like to get up close and personal with my puzzles. Can I zoom in on the squares?

    Certainly! To zoom in, simply 'pinch' the section of the grid you'd like a closer view of. To zoom out, simply 'unpinch' it. If you'd like to change these settings, read this answer.

  13. How can I view both the puzzle and clues at the same time?

    All you need to do is turn your iPhone so it's in landscape mode. The puzzle will be on the left side of the screen, and the clues on the right.

  14. How can I view all of the clues at once?

    While viewing a puzzle, simply tap the 'Clues' button at the top of the screen.

  15. Can I cheat and have the program tell me when I've made a mistake?

    Of course you can. Go to your puzzle list and tap the 'Options' gear at the bottom of the screen. Toggle the 'Show Mistakes' option so that it's set to 'On'.

  16. What are the black triangles that sometimes appear in a square?

    Those black triangles only appear in a square that you've previously revealed. These marks will not be displayed if you have 'Show Mistakes' turned on.

Additional Options

  1. Can I set the program to zoom in when I double tap?

    By default, this option is turned off. To turn it on tap on the 'Options' gear in the bottom-right-hand corner of the Puzzle List screen and toggle 'Double tap to Zoom' to 'on'.

  2. Where are my clue numbers?

    You may have your clue numbers preference toggled to 'off'. Simply go to your puzzle list and tap the 'Options' gear. Slide 'Show Clue Numbers' so it's toggled to 'On'.

  3. The program keeps changing the puzzle orientation - can I always have it display in portrait mode?

    Yes - to lock Crosswords for iPhone from displaying the puzzle in landscape mode, just tap the 'Options' gear in the bottom-right-hand corner of the Puzzle List screen, and change the 'Disable Landscape' option under 'Display & Sound' to 'on'.

  4. I don't like the game skipping squares for me. Can I change that?

    Not a problem. Just tap the 'Options' gear at the bottom of the puzzle list screen and change the 'Skip Filled Squares' option to 'Off'.

  5. Can I keep it from automatically jumping to the next clue?

    Yes - tap the 'Options' gear at the bottom of the puzzle list screen and toggle the 'Auto-Jump to Next Clue' option to 'Off'.

  6. I think I screwed up my puzzle big time. Can I wipe the puzzle clean?

    Yup - while viewing the puzzle you want to reset, just tap and hold down on the 'backspace' key. Two options will appear, and you can choose to either clear the entire puzzle, or just the current clue.

  7. Can I set which papers and providers I download puzzles from?

    Yes! Simply tap on the 'Options' gear and scroll down to 'Get Puzzles from These Sites', then simply toggle the providers you want to download puzzles from.

Common Problems

  1. The directional pad won't let me use the keyboard!

    If you're having problems using the keyboard when the directional pad is turned on, press the center of the directional pad and move it up off of the keyboard.

  2. Help! Crosswords used to download puzzles, but now it doesn't!

    Unfortunately there appears to be an operating system bug that will occasionally prevent the program from retrieving additional puzzles. Make sure you're using the latest version of your iPhone/iPod touch operating system and, if the problem still persists, delete and re-install the program.

  3. I no longer receive New York Sun puzzles!

    Unfortunately the New York Sun ceased publishing on September 30th, 2008. The last available puzzle was October 3rd, 2008.

  4. I can't view hints for today's New York Times puzzle!

    Unfortunately the New York Times doesn't publish hints for a puzzle until the next day's puzzle is available. Crosswords for iPhone will automatically look for available hints every time you tap 'Get Today's Puzzles' so, if it's been over 24 hours since the puzzle you're playing has been downloaded, tap that button to check for hints.

  5. There are two November 2nds on my November 2008 download calendar!

    This is a known bug caused by Daylight Savings Time, and it will be resolved in an upcoming version. For a workaround, see our Known Issues answer.

  6. Help! The program automatically duplicates every letter!

    This is a known issue and has been resolved in v.1.12. If you cannot upgrade at the moment, see our Known Issues answer for a workaround.

  7. I can't see all of the keyboard in landscape mode!

    This is a known issue and has been resolved in v.1.13. If you cannot upgrade at the moment, see our Known Issues answer for a workaround.

  8. Are there any known issues with Crosswords for iPhone?

    There is a known bug with the calendar that displays two November 2nds, offsetting subsequent days in the calendar. For now, we suggest you download puzzles based on the date, instead of the weekday.

    For example, if you'd like download puzzles for Sunday November 9th, tap Monday 9th.

    Previously known issues:

    • Keyboard problems: If you've upgraded your iPhone or iPod touch to v.2.1 then unfortunately the landscape keyboard will no longer display correctly. This has been resolved in v.1.13 but, if you're temporarily unable to upgrade, we suggest going to 'Options' (tap on the gear under your Puzzle List) and set 'Disable Landscape' to 'ON'.
    • Duplicate letters: If you're using v.1.11, there's a known issue where, when you enter a letter into a square, the subsequent squares may get filled in with the same letter. This issue has been resolved in v.1.12, currently available in the App Store.
    If you have encountered an issue, please feel free to email us!