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CrypticCrab Crossword
Your #1 cryptic crossword app
Free · In‑App Purchases
Big 2.0 update! A fresh new look, head-to-head duels, unlimited clues, a daily archive, a reference library and smarter stats.
Crack on, detective!
Ever stared at a cryptic crossword clue and wondered if it was written in another language? You're not alone. CrypticCrab cracks the code on cryptic crosswords, one clue at a time.
Most people think cryptic clues are impenetrable. The secret? Every cryptic clue has exactly two paths to the answer. Once you see the pattern, you'll never look at a crossword the same way again.
CrypticCrab teaches you to solve real cryptic crossword clues through hands-on practice, not passive reading. Our four-phase lesson system breaks down each concept:
TEACH: Watch as clues are dissected before your eyes. Colour-coded breakdowns show exactly how definition and wordplay work together.
GUIDED SOLVE: Tap the definition words, identify the wordplay, classify the technique. Immediate feedback on every tap -- green for right, shake for wrong.
ASSISTED SOLVE: Try solving with a safety net. Progressive hints when you're stuck (technique type is free; letters cost XP).
SOLO SOLVE: You versus the clue. Enter your answer letter by letter, with a detailed breakdown after every attempt that reinforces what you've learned.
NEW IN 2.0 -- MORE WAYS TO PLAY:
DAILY CLUE: A fresh cryptic every day. Keep your streak alive.
PAST CLUES: Missed a day? Replay any previous daily from the calendar archive.
UNLIMITED PLAY: An endless library of clues. Pick your level -- Rookie, Standard, Expert or Master -- and solve as many as you like.
HEAD-TO-HEAD DUELS: Race a friend or a rival in real time -- same clue, same clock. Climb the rankings in ranked matches, or keep it friendly.
REFERENCE LIBRARY: A searchable glossary of indicator words and abbreviations, always a tap away.
STATS HUB: Track your streak, XP, leaderboard standing and awards, all in one place.
WHAT YOU GET:
- Learning modules that build real skill: The Golden Rule (double definitions) and Indicator Words (anagrams, hidden words, reversals and more)
- A fresh daily puzzle plus a full archive of past clues
- Unlimited Play across four difficulty tiers
- Real-time head-to-head multiplayer with Game Center rankings and achievements
- XP system with 8 levels from Novice to Grand Master
- Streak tracking that rewards consistency (and never punishes a missed day)
- Three-star ratings on every lesson -- replay for perfection
- A searchable reference glossary and technique summaries that unlock as you learn
- Progress that syncs across your devices with iCloud
CrypticCrab is a word puzzle game that teaches as you play -- now with a completely redesigned 2.0 experience. Free to start, with no ads. An optional Premium unlock (or one-time Lifetime purchase) adds the full past-clue archive, every learning module, unlimited solving and friend leaderboards. Lessons play offline; the daily clue, the archive and multiplayer need a connection.
Whether you're a complete beginner who's never attempted a cryptic clue, or a casual solver looking to understand the method behind the madness, CrypticCrab meets you where you are and builds your skills one clue at a time.
The answer to the clue is always there. You just need to learn where to look.
A FRESH NEW LOOK
The whole app has been rebuilt around clear tabs -- Play, Learn, Stats and a dedicated Reference library -- with a warmer, cleaner design throughout. New here? A quick guided tour now welcomes you on first launch and shows off every feature (you can replay it any time from Settings).
NEW WAYS TO PLAY
- Daily Clue: a fresh cryptic every day to keep your streak alive.
- Past Clues: missed a day? Replay any previous daily from the calendar archive.
- Unlimited Play: an endless library of clues across four difficulty tiers -- Rookie, Standard, Expert and Master. Solve as many as you like and earn XP.
- Head-to-Head Duels: race a friend or a rival in real time over the same clue, on the same clock. Play ranked to climb the leaderboard, or keep it friendly. Share a lobby code to invite someone instantly.
SHARPER SOLVING TOOLS
The Help Me shelf now bundles smarter assistance -- free technique hints, definition reveals, a letter jumble, an anagram solver, a thesaurus and an instant reference lookup, so you're never truly stuck.
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
A new Stats hub gathers your streak, XP, leaderboard standing and awards in one place. Progress now syncs across all your devices with iCloud, and Game Center brings leaderboards and achievements.
Plus countless fixes and polish throughout. Smoother animations, clearer screens and a more consistent feel everywhere.
CrypticCrab is free to start, with no ads. An optional Premium (or one-time Lifetime) unlock adds the full past-clue archive, every learning module, unlimited solving and friend leaderboards.
Thanks for playing. Now go get cracking!
The developer, Rodney Telford, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
The developer indicated that this app supports the following accessibility features. Learn More
Information
- Seller
- Rodney Telford
- Size
- 15.7 MB
- Category
- Word
- Compatibility
Requires iOS 17.0 or later.
- iPhone
Requires iOS 17.0 or later. - iPad
Requires iPadOS 17.0 or later.
- iPhone
- Languages
- English
- Age Rating
4+
- 4+
- Infrequent
Contests
- In-App Purchases
Yes
- CrypticCrab Premium (3 Month) $9.99
- CrypticCrab Premium (1 Month) $3.99
- CrypticCrab Premium (lifetime) $69.99
- Learning Module 3 $1.99
- Learning Module 2 $1.99
- Copyright
- © 2026 Rodney Telford. All Rights Reserved.
