Minesweeper looks like luck, but almost every square can be worked out from the numbers around it. Learn a few patterns and most Easy and Medium boards solve themselves. These tips work on every difficulty.
Start anywhere
Your first tap is always safe, and here it always opens an empty area, so you never start blind. Corners and edges are fine; there’s no better first square.
Read what each number is telling you
A number counts the mines in the eight squares around it. When a number has exactly as many closed squares around it as its value, every one of them is a mine. When it already touches that many flags, every other square around it is safe.
Learn the common patterns
1-1 from a wall: when a line of numbers beside closed squares starts at the board’s edge with 1, 1, the closed square beside the third number is safe.
1-2-1 in a row: the mines are under the two 1s, and the square under the 2 is safe.
1-2-2-1 in a row: the mines are under the two 2s.
Flag only what you’re sure of
A wrong flag misleads you later, and tapping a number to clear around it trusts your flags. Flag a square only when the numbers prove it. On a phone, long-press to flag, or switch to Flag mode for a run of flags.
Clear faster by tapping numbers
Once a number has all its mines flagged, tap it and every other square around it opens at once. It’s the biggest time saver in the game, and the way to faster times on Hard.
Use the mine count near the end
The Mines count at the top shows how many are still unflagged. In the last few squares it often settles a question the numbers can’t: if one mine is left and only one arrangement fits, you know where it is.
When you must guess, guess well
Some boards leave a true 50/50. Solve everything else first, since more information may settle it. If you still have to guess, pick the square that would reveal the most if it’s safe, often one away from the crowded numbers.