How to play Minesweeper

Learn the basics of the game and how controls work in the app.

Goal

Reveal every safe square on the board without tapping on a mine. If you reveal a mine, the game is over. Once every safe square is revealed, you win.

Controls

In the app, use the toolbar toggle to switch between Flag and Reveal modes.
In Reveal mode, tap a hidden square to uncover it.
In Flag mode, tap a hidden square to place or remove a flag where you think a mine is.
You can also long-press a hidden square to quickly place or remove a flag.

Numbers

When you reveal a safe square, it may show a number. That number tells you how many mines are in the 8 surrounding squares. Use these clues to decide where it is safe to reveal next and where mines must be flagged.

Here's a tiny example board so you can see how revealing and flags work:

Hints

In the app, tap the Hint button below the board to get help. A hint will either safely reveal a square or flag a square that contains a mine, based on your current board state.

Tips

Start by revealing squares away from the edges to open up the board.
Look for places where the numbers make a move certain before taking guesses.
Use flags to keep track of suspected mines so you do not tap them by mistake.