The real Wordle app: How to play, win, and install it on your iPhone or iPad

People are going crazy over Wordle, the simple word game created by Josh Wardle. Wardle published the game on the web and told the New York Times that since it was a “labor of love,” he’s not interested in creating an app version of it. Wordle is easily accessible on the web, but the Wordle copycats that came out on the App Store and were eventually taken down by Apple show that there is a demand for an app version.

The New York Times bought Wordle from Josh Wardle, who was paid “in the low seven figures” to bring Wordle into The Times’ various games including Spelling Bee and The New York Times Crossword app. The Times operates a separate subscription app for its games but has thus far kept Wordle as a free web app.

It’s unclear how long it will stay web-based and free, but until the NYT changes it, there is a way to get the Wordle by Josh Wardle “app”—it involves using a feature that’s long been in iOS, save a web page to your home screen. It’s really easy to make, and once you do, the Wordle icon will appear on your Home Screen and App Library and function just like an app.

One caveat about creating the Wordle web app: if you’ve already been playing via Safari, your current streak won’t carry over to the web app, just as if you started playing on a new device. So you’ll have to start a new streak.

Tips on beating Wordle

The Wordle game is extremely easy to play but difficult to master. You’re given six chances to guess a five-letter word, with each correct guess getting you closer. Letters turn yellow when they’re in the word but the wrong spot and green when they’re in the correct spot. Here are some tips:

1. Pick a word with common but non-duplicating letters to start, like STRAP, CRANE, or STARE.
2. Pay attention to where letters fall and try not to waste guesses with letters that are obviously wrong.
3. Letters can be used twice—like Game 251’s answer, VIVID. So don’t discount a letter just because it’s in the right spot.
4. If you are at your fifth guess and are stuck, try making a word with as many of the unused letters as you can. The guess will obviously be wrong, but it will help you either eliminate letters or find one of the ones you’re missing.

How to save Wordle as an app

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Safari and go to https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html (previously https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/).
2. Tap the Share button, which is the rectangle with the arrow pointing upward.
3. On the Share screen, look for Add to Home Screen and tap it.
4. On the next screen, you can rename Wordle if you want. You can also look at the URL to make sure it’s correct (https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html).
5. Tap Add and the Wordle icon will appear on your Home Screen.

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When you’re ready to play (or when you can, since there’s only one Wordle game per day), you can just tap the “T” icon on your Home Screen and the game will launch. Good luck!

How to load a new game

If you launch the Wordle web app on a new day and a new game didn’t load, try relaunching the app. Don’t worry about your streak—it will be maintained.

1. Go into the App Switcher by swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen. Stop swiping around the midpoint of the screen. On devices with Home buttons, press the Home button twice.
2. You’ll see a set of “cards” that represent the apps you recently opened. Swipe to Wordle and then swipe up on it to remove it from the set.
3. Go back to the Home Screen by tapping anywhere on the screen and open Wordle.

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How to restore your streak after the New Your Times switch

The New York Times has made its acquisition of Wordle, so if you go to the original Wordle location at https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/ it will redirect to the new NYT version at https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html.

During the transition, The Times had an issue with a player’s streak information being reset. According to The Verge, The Times recommends that to restore your streak, open Wordle using the old URL at https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/. This will cause your browser to redirect and your streak information will be brought to the new site.

If you created an “app” using the “How to save Wordle an ‘app’” instructions above before the NYT transition, the app should direct to the new URL when you launch the app.

If you go to the NYT version directly, your streak will not carry over. Also, if you are not using the same browser or device that you used previously, your streak will not continue. 

How to save Wordle as an offline game

Wordle runs in a browser and the game’s code and words are essentially within the webpage itself—it’s not pinging a server or needs to access anything online. So you can save the Wordle website on your device and play it from there instead of on the web. Wordle has over 2,000 words and since it’s played once a day, you should have over six years’ worth of games if you play daily.

However, if you’ve been playing online and decide to play this way, your streak will end and you’ll have to start a new one. Here’s how to save it on a Mac, iPhone or iPad in Safari.

World as a Mac Web Archive

1. Open Wordle (https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html, previously https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/) in Safari.
2. Go to File > Save As.
3. The Save window will open. Pick a location where you want to save the file, and name the file.
4. For the Format, select Web Archive.
5. Click Save.

Opening the file: When you first open the file to play the game, you may get a warning that says the file can’t be opened because macOS can’t verify that the file is malware-free. To open the file, right-click it and select Open. Instead of the malware warning, you’ll need to confirm that you really want to open the file. Click Open and you should be good to go.

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Wordle in the iPhone/iPad Safari Reading List

On the iPhone and iPad, you can save Wordle to Safari’s Reading List. To be able to access Wordle offline, you need to adjust Safari’s settings. Go to Settings > Safari, then scroll down to the Reading List section at the bottom. Turn on the switch for Automatically Save Offline.

Here’s how to add Wordle to your Reading List.

1. Open Wordle (https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html, previously https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/) in Safari.
2. Tap the Share button, which is the rectangle with the arrow pointing upward.
3. On the Share screen, scroll down to Add to Reading List and tap it.

When you want to play Wordle, tap the Bookmarks icon in Safari’s URL bar. Then tap the eyeglasses icon, which will take you to your Reading List, where you’ll find Wordle.

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Wordle answer discrepancies

The New York Times has taken over Wordle and if you try to go to the original Wordle website at powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle, you will be redirected to The Times’ site. But there are several fans who have found a way to play using the original URL, either by downloading the game (see above) or by leaving a browser window open of the original URL.

However, since the two sites aren’t associated with each other, it’s possible to get two different solutions for the daily game. In other words, The Times’ solution will be different from the original site. And they will always be different.

The Times has also made adjustments to the possible solutions, as noted in the tweet below by ABC News reporter Michael Slezak.

How to play past Wordles

Wordle has only one game per day and each day is numbered. For example, Wordle on January 27 is game number 222. Wordle itself doesn’t have a way to play past editions, but as Lifehacker reports, there is a site that allows you to access past Wordles.

Created by Devang Thakkar, the Wordle Archive lets you play old Wordle editions. The site provides buttons so you can access a specific puzzle—you can even replay Wordles you have already solved.

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If you really love the Wordle Archive, you can make it an “app” on your iPhone and iPad, which would give you quick and easy access to the game. Just open the Wordle Archive in Safari, and then follow the same instructions as how to save Wordle as an “app” at the top of this article.

How to cheat at Wordle

No, we’re not advocates for cheating in a game that we enjoy, but maybe you just need a little help. Or maybe you’re tired of seeing Wordle scores on social media and you want to post a few “high” scores of your own to get back at them. Whatever your reason, we’re not here to judge, we’re just here to direct you to an article and video by our sister publication, PCWorld, on how to cheat at Wordle.

Google’s tribute to Wordle

This Google Easter egg will make you smile. All you need to do is type “Wordle” into the Google search field (or the address field on your iPhone or Mac if you have Google set as your search engine) and press Return. The Google logo at the top will turn into a mini Wordle in tribute to the game. It’s cute, so check it out!

Updated 2/26/22.