Minesweeper tips and patterns
Every board in Calm Minesweeper can be solved without guessing. A handful of patterns will carry you through most of them.
1. Start with the easy numbers
Look for a number that touches exactly that many unopened squares. A 1 with only one closed neighbor — that neighbor is a mine. Flag it.
2. Count the flags
If a number already has as many flags as its value, every other neighbor is safe. Tap the number to open them all at once.
3. The 1-1 pattern along a wall
Two 1s side by side along the edge of the open area share most of their neighbors. The mine for the first 1 must be in the shared squares, so the square beyond the second 1 is safe.
4. The 1-2 pattern
When a 1 sits next to a 2 along a straight edge, the 2 needs one more mine than the 1 can give it. That extra mine must be in the square next to the 2 that the 1 does not touch. Flag it.
5. The 1-2-1 pattern
Three numbers in a row reading 1-2-1 along a flat edge: the mines are opposite the two 1s, and the square opposite the 2 is safe.
6. Subtract what you know
If a 3 already touches two flags, treat it as a 1 for the squares that are left. Thinking of "numbers left to find" makes hard spots easy.
7. Work from the edges and corners
Squares near a wall or corner have fewer neighbors, so their numbers give more certain answers. Start there when you feel stuck.
8. Slow is fine
There is no timer unless you switch one on. If you do touch a mine, tap Take it back, look again, and use Hint if you need a nudge.
New to the game? Read how to play Minesweeper.