You Can Play Wordle On An App Soon, But There’s A Catch

Since Wordle became the “it” game of 2022, Twitter has been flooded with screenshots of yellow, gray, and green squares. The online game, which gives you six chances to guess the word of the day, can only be played once a day. If playing the daily brain teaser has left you wondering whether there’s a Wordle app, here’s how The New York Times’ acquisition will make your Wordle app dreams a reality.

If you haven’t been keeping up with Twitter’s latest obsession, here’s the deal. In October 2021, software engineer Josh Wardle created and developed Wordle for his word game-obsessed partner, Palak Shah. How it works is, you have to guess the five-letter word of the day within six tries with the help of the gray, yellow, and green squares. A yellow square lets you know that you’ve guessed the right letter but it’s in the wrong spot, and a green square signifies a letter in the correct spot. A gray square means the letter doesn’t appear in the word at all.

Each day, there’s a new word of the day that all players must guess. That means players can only play one round per day, which is why Wordlers have become so obsessed with the brain teaser. Fans who are itching for more chances to play have been wondering if there is an app where they can get their Wordle fill, but the answer is a bit complicated.

Is There A Wordle App?

Although Wordle was initially available to play only via the website, there are some changes brewing.

During a Jan. 12 interview with Newsweek, Wardle gave some insight into the future of the game, including any plans (or lack thereof) to monetize it. “My goal was never to generate income and it just grew organically. That's why it's not monetized, even though it is very easy to imagine how that could look,” said Wardle. He added that, “...twisting it just to make money feels wrong to me.”

Despite Wardle’s initial hesitation, on Jan. 31 The New York Times announced its acquisition of Wordle from Wardle for an undisclosed amount in “the low seven-figures.” What does that mean for Wordle? Well, it means it could be heading to The New York Times app very soon, the same place where you can find the publication's other word puzzles. The exact date that the transition will happen is unclear. Jordan Cohen, Executive Director, Communications at The New York Times tells Elite Daily there is no "precise timeline established, but we expect the game to be hosted on The New York Times domain very shortly."

Leading up to the switch, you can still play Wordle on the website, and your streaks and stats will remain the same. But once Wordle moves to the NYT, there are plans "to redirect existing links to NYT Games," which means you can play Wordle the New York Times’ games section on The New York Times app. So, yes, you’ll soon be able to play Wordle in an app, but it won’t be called the Wordle app — you’ll need to get to it through The New York Times app.

In January 2022, several copycat versions of the game showed up in app form, but as of Jan. 12, the apps were removed from the App Store. You may see some apps that still say “Wordle.” Elite Daily reached out to Apple for comment on why some “Wordle” apps are still available but did not hear back at the time of publication.

Among the clones was an app called “Wordle — The App,” per Vanity Fair, and though the app used the same basic design and color scheme as the OG game, app creator Zach Shakked’s version featured levels for five, six, and seven-letter words, a pro account option for $29.99 per year, and let players play multiple rounds a day. On Jan. 12, Shakked addressed the issue on Twitter, saying, in part, “I realize I crossed a line. And I surely, surely will never do anything remotely close to this again.”

How To Get Wordle

Until the switch happens, the daily brain teaser can be found on the website that Wardle created for free, which you can play online or with a browser on your phone. Through the website, you can share the results of your daily Wordle on social media or by text, and after you’ve completed your round for the day, the website lets you know when the game will refresh with a countdown to the next Wordle.

Once Wordle moves to The New York Times, you'll be able to find it on The New York Times' domains, including its website and, of course, the app. If you’re still looking for games to fill the time while you wait for your next puzzle, check out these similar word games.