Last updated on January 30th, 2026 at 07:11 am
Cryptic Crossword – Entertainment Game Review
Cryptic Crossword is a Entertainment/Puzzle/Word game from Teazel Limited, first launched in 24th June 2013.
It’s rated 4+ and currently has 1,015+ ratings on the App Store.
What Makes Cryptic Crossword Stand Out
260+ professional Cryptic Crossword puzzles to keep you pondering.
29 free puzzles with all features enabled, and no ads.
These are cryptic level crosswords, suitable for seasoned crossword enthusiasts.
Features:
- pinch zooming grid
- cheats, highlight mistakes and answer checking
- resume button
- extra preferences (jump letters, grey out completed clues, etc)
If you're finding Cryptic a little too challenging, why not try our standard 'Crossword' or 'Crossword US' apps.
This Entertainment game offers engaging gameplay and regular updates for mobile players.
Player Feedback
As a newer release, Cryptic Crossword is building its player community. Early feedback suggests .
Recent Updates & Development
Latest Update: 26th January 2026
Recent improvements include:
Minor bug fixes
Download & Availability
Cryptic Crossword is available through the official App Store for iOS devices.
Get Cryptic Crossword on App Store
Requirements: Requires iPhone 5s / iPad Air / iPad Air (Cellular) / iPad Mini 2 (Retina) / iPad Mini 2 (Retina, Cellular) / iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus / iPad Air 2 / iPad Air 2 (Cellular) / iPad Mini 3 or later.
Compatible with iPhone and iPad devices.
Player Experience Highlights
Community Insight:
We are relatively new to cryptic crosswords and this presents the right level of challenge and accessibility! We don't have time to do them often, so we definitely feel like there are plenty of puzzles, and we are getting our money's worth.
We love these British-style puzzles and they're hard to find in the states. This is a pretty good set, most of them not super challenging, but all at least decent. You do need to be prepared for British slang and spellings, but that only adds to the charm. The app's interface is much improved in the latest update, though it could still use some refinement to make it as painless to use as, say, the NY Times crossword app. But on the whole it works very smoothly now.
We enjoy British cryptic puzzles, but we're pretty hopeless at most of them. These puzzles are simpler and just about right for us. We're a British expat, so we're used to the overall cryptic concept. Other speakers of English may find the clues obscure at times. Excellent app.
We have just started , so far we are very happy with it. Filling in grids are not complicated. Have choice of revealing a letter, or whole word if really stuck. The other nice feature is check answers, it tells if you have letters wrong,but doesn't show answers or which letters are wrong. Helps a lot . We will try to update review after have played more. We did go ahead and buy the nine packs of puzzles(3.99) after doing several free puzzles, felt it was worth it After recent update , 6/20/2017, we really like that they have added keyboard to game, also it jumps to empty square when entering letters in partial words. We are very happy with it.
Our wife have enjoyed doing these cryptic crossword puzzles together. We have dabbled in these puzzles before, but with this set we got hooked.
Love this app. Cryptics are so hard to fine in US.
Good value. Wish the puzzles were harder.
We love cryptics, but they are very hard to find in the states. We love this app. Works perfectly. We just hope they keep making new ones by the time we finish these.
The app works without glitches–or ads! It's designed for levels of skill: beginners can get tips on solving clues, can have letters or words revealed if stumped, and can check answers; more advanced players can ignore those features easily. The clues aren't the toughest you'll find, but we usually find a few stump us for a while each game.
We've been intrigued by cryptics for decades. Thanks to this app, we can finally solve and enjoy them.
Cryptic crosswords are hard to find in the US and these are great,hard enough to be a challenge but not enough to fry your brain. Americans need to adjust to British thinking but they're very doable. Lots of fun.
These are fun puzzles, interesting clues, fantastic interface. Well worth the nominal fee to unlock over 100 puzzles. We're loving this-best cryptic app we've found. Thanks, creators, looking forward to the next level of puzzles. Notify us please.
If you're into cryptics, this package from Teazal is well worth it. Consider combining this with the kindle version of Bradford's Crossword Solver's Dictionary for a bit of assistance. This is consistently in our top 5 used apps, often #1.
Cryptic crosswords involve loads of twisted wordplay fun. This app is easier to use than others. Lots of free puzzles to get you started. Answers available if you get stuck. Enjoyable for all the word nerds out there.
We're just starting to work through cryptic crosswords so this is a great app for us. The answer checking function is wonderful for beginners.
This is a great app for cryptic crosswords. We wish they had more.
We used to do these all the time so it's great to find an app that has a nice variety. Not the most challenging cryptic ever but still good fun. What this game is, we hear. Farewell (4,3).
Pleasantly easy puzzles, very few bizarre words, some delightful wordplay.
If you are familiar with cryptic crosswords these are medium mind benders. We are American and most of the questions are translatable. We were able to finish one while walking the dog. The design is intuitive. Investing the money gives you as many puzzles as a book. Worth the price.
We have done the whole set several times. It's a great place to learn how to do cryptic crosswords as you can reveal the answer and figure out how the clue works. More please Teazel.
So far the cryptics have been moderately easy. We have enjoyed the app.
Fun, not too difficult, cryptics.
You just have to get used to the idea that cryptic crosswords are British in origin and there are a few clues you just aren't going to get. Very well done software.
Great app for those seeking practice in the art of cryptic crosswords. The free puzzles are a good way to get your feet wet, and the $3.99 purchase price for the full packs is a bargain. Not the most challenging puzzles out there, but tough enough to be enjoyable.
Apparently written by Brits, but not overly culture-specific, so Americans, New Zealanders and other Anglophones will be more baffled than usual.
- Head of Goodyear with upset tear is huge (5) 2. Program of biblical fruit without French article (3).
Pity a number of the clues are reused in later puzzles, especially the paid-for ones.
Really enjoy cryptic crosswords. Hard to find British style crossword puzzles in U.S. Some have said the puzzles are too easy. We found them to be challenging enough to while away the time without being overwhelming. Wish there were more puzzle packs available to purchase.
Just downloaded the app w/purchase on our phone to pass the time on a long car trip. When we went to add it to our iPad, it recognized the previous download, but not the purchase. Is there a way to also access the purchased puzzles across devices without repurchasing? That would earn the 5th star.
We enjoy cryptic crosswords and really like this app. We'd give it five stars if the puzzles were more challenging.
Somewhat simple, occasionally challenging, these puzzles can often be solved on a single bowel movement.
Bare-bones interface that's easy to navigate. And read. Puzzles are easier than those you find in newspapers, but that's what you want in an iPhone app: something that occupies half an hour or less while you're riding the subway. Best of all: unlike most UK crossword, these are solvable without knowing British pop culture references. This app is [ notorious sounds like cheese preparation (5) ].
Not bad, but too much repetition of clues and a bit too easy.
Ive always wanted to learn how to do cryptic crosswords. These clues are challenging but solvable for a beginner. You can choose to have your answers checked or get more help. We love it.
Love it. Would love a little more challenge but despite that love having so many puzzles at hand.
Ive had this a year and still have loads to do. The clues are just the right level for us just getting started with Cryptic.
Just try it you might get hooked on cryptics, too! Cryptic crossword clues have two parts: a definition (which can be hard to spot, as it can appear either at the beginning or end of the clue, and you never know how many words it encompasses), and wordplay, which can be of several varieties, to keep you on your toes. The trick is to figure out which part is the definition and which part is wordplay once you figure that out, the answer is easy to ferret out. Kind of. Its loads of fun when the correct answer clicks! App is very easy to use and has lots of free puzzles. Plus, you can get hints a letter or a whole word and you can check your answers to see how many are incorrect, and where your errors are. Makes it a snap. Love this app.
It's a very clever and fun game. Unfortunately it's very hard to parse at times because the answers will be chiefly British words like "abseil" that no one across the pond would ever know. We do wish it stuck to more universal language, but it's a good challenge nonetheless.
What a fun and straight forward cryptic crossword game! Difficulty of clues vary which is the perfect challenge :).
We know that cryptic crosswords are far more popular in the UK than they are in the US, but many of the clues arent going to make any sense if youre American like us. Regardless, Im still giving it 5 stars because theres tons of clever content and we were happy to pay to get all the puzzles unlocked.
This is one of those apps that deserves a trip to the App Store to write a glowing review. The clues are clever, not terribly difficult not unnecessarily convoluted, but not easy either. It has us hooked! Truly enjoyable. Several packs included. We are still on Pack 2 and relishing each crossword.
The developers are very creative!! We are really helped by being able to check our answers.
Im addicted to cryptic crosswords. We go through books of them. These are our go-to puzzles while traveling. Reasonably challenging and enjoyable. We like the logic and approach of the creator(s).
Im pretty new to cryptic puzzles and we love the workout they give our brain. This app has a bunch of good ones for our level of solver – we can answer most clues if we mull them over long enough, but some we need a little hint. Overall we feel like Im learning a lot and some of the clues really make us laugh.
Our 80yo mother loves this app. She has become an addict of Cryptic Crosswords. Since she was a teenager she's been into traditional crosswords, but she says she likes cryptic even better. Personally we hate crosswords. We're too stupid. But seeing our mother this thrilled with a challenge that she can still meet is worthy of a 5 star review for us. And 260 puzzles for $4 is remarkable value. Crazy even. Mom's a fan of the app, and we're a now a fan of Teazel (the developer).
We very much like cryptic crosswords. But some of these definitions are British and, being American, we find those more difficult to solve.
Have both of your apps and have completed both. Please add new puzzlesI really miss doing them.
At least for us, the right level of difficulty. And 250+ puzzles to boot. We are worried about the day they are done. Whats next.
These aren't the hardest cryptic crosswords we've encountered, but they are challenging enough to provide some good mental exercise. We wish there were more.
This developer has two apps for cryptic crosswords. Both are superior. But like all puzzles, eventually you solve everything and you need more. Please create more.
User feedback from Apple App Store
App Details
- Version: 1.28
- Size: 7.00 MB
- iOS: 10.0 or later
- Languages: EN
- Content Advisory:
- Developer: Teazel Limited
Last updated: 26th January 2026 | Genre: Entertainment, Puzzle | Developer: Teazel Limited