Become a Wordfeud master in 5 steps
Download Wordfeud. Create an account. Find an opponent. It sounds simple. Until you get lost in the settings, don't know how to invite friends, or accidentally play against a wordsmith from Finland. Yet, Wordfeud remains one of the most played apps on the iPhone. Even now, years after the initial hype.
But here's what no one tells you: most players are using the app incorrectly . They miss features, play without strategy, and forget that with the right accessories like a stylus, you can place letters more precisely. Or that you can listen to music through your AirPods while waiting for your turn without interrupting the game.
This guide shows you how to really play Wordfeud. In five steps. Without any hassle. And with tricks that will surprise even seasoned players.
Useful links
- Refurbished iPhone for optimal Wordfeud experience
- Refurbished iPad for a larger playing field
- AirPods for undisturbed play
The first steps with Wordfeud
Wordfeud is Scrabble's digital sibling, entertaining millions of players worldwide for years. This word puzzle app has made the leap from Facebook to mobile and has become one of the most played games on iOS devices. The beauty of this app is its simplicity: all you need is an iPhone or iPad and an internet connection. No physical board, no lost letters under the couch, no arguments about whether a word actually exists—the app takes care of everything.
Step 1: Installation and initial setup
Installing Wordfeud begins in the App Store. Simply search for "Wordfeud," and you'll find two versions: a free version with ads and a paid version for about five euros. For beginning players, the free version is a good way to see if the game suits you. Ads appear between turns, not during gameplay.
After downloading, the application opens with a registration screen. You have three options: sign up with Facebook, register with an email address, or log in with your existing credentials. The advantage of using Facebook is that you can immediately find friends who also play. When registering via email, you choose a username yourself—other players will share this name later to invite you to a game.
Step 2: Create and personalize your account
Your username is your identity in the Wordfeud world. Choose something recognizable for your friends, but don't share personal information like your last name or city. After registering, the app will ask for permission to receive push notifications. These notifications are useful for knowing when it's your turn, but you can always disable them in your iPhone's settings.
In your profile, you can add an avatar and set your language preferences. Dutch is, of course, the default for Dutch players, but you can also choose English, German, or one of the many other available languages. Note: the language you choose determines which words are valid during the game.
Step 3: Starting your first game
You start a new game by clicking the "+" button on the main screen. You'll have two options: play against a friend or a random opponent. For friends, search by username or select someone from your Facebook friends. The random option will pair you with a player of a similar skill level.
You can choose the game board for each game. There are several variations with varying bonus fields. Everyone knows the classic board, but the alternative boards offer new strategic challenges. You can also set the vocabulary here – always choose the language you're most proficient in.
Step 4: The rules and strategy
The game starts with seven letters per player. The first player must place a word that runs across the center square of the board. Then, players take turns building the word combination on the board. You drag letters from your holder onto the playing field. The yellow square immediately shows how many points your word is worth.
The bonus squares are crucial for high scores. Red squares double or triple the word value, while blue squares do the same for individual letters. A good strategy is to place high-value letters like Q (10 points) or X (8 points) on blue bonus squares.
You can play up to thirty games simultaneously. This may sound like a lot, but because players make their moves at different times, there's always action going on somewhere. The timer per turn is set to 72 hours by default, but you can adjust this to 5 minutes for quick games.
Step 5: Using Advanced Features
Below the game board, you'll find four important buttons. "Shuffle" rearranges your letters—useful if you get stuck. "Trade" lets you exchange unusable letters for new ones, but you lose a turn. "Pass" skips a turn without swapping any letters. "Leave" ends the game prematurely.
The chat function on the right side makes the game more social. A friendly "well played" or "wow, I didn't know that word" keeps the atmosphere lively. However, please avoid discussions about valid words – the word list is authoritative and cannot be edited.
Tips for better scores
Short words are often more effective than long ones. A cleverly placed two- or three-letter word that forms several new words scores more points than a single long word. Memorize the two-letter words: 'qi', 'ex', and 'zo' are invaluable in tight situations.
Hold onto valuable letters until you can play them on bonus squares. A J on a triple letter value is worth 24 points, while the same letter is normally only worth 8 points. Block bonus squares from your opponent by strategically playing around them.
Security and privacy
Play only with people you trust or use random matchmaking. Never share personal information in chat, even if someone asks for it. You can report suspicious messages through the app.
Choose a strong password for your account and use two-factor authentication where possible. Be careful with links sent by other players – they can lead to malicious websites. The official Wordfeud app never requests additional payments outside the App Store.
Troubleshooting
Is the app crashing? Try closing the app completely and restarting it. If that doesn't help, check if there are any updates available in the App Store. For sync issues, logging out and back in often helps.
Notifications that don't work are usually related to your phone's settings, not the app itself. Check under Settings > Notifications whether Wordfeud has permission to receive notifications. If you're having Wi-Fi issues, switch to mobile data or vice versa.
With this complete guide, you're ready to conquer the Wordfeud world. Whether you play on your train ride, during your lunch break, or in the evening on the couch, this digital word puzzle offers endless entertainment. Start your first game today and discover why millions of players worldwide are hooked on this simple yet addictive game.
More than just a word game
Wordfeud turns out to be much more than just a word game on your phone. With the right approach, a little strategy, and knowledge of its hidden features, you'll get much more out of this app . Whether you play on a refurbished iPhone or prefer the larger screen of an iPad , the possibilities are endless.
Just start with one game, experiment with the tips in this guide, and before you know it, you'll be playing multiple games simultaneously against friends and strangers worldwide. Who knows, you might even beat that Finnish wordsmith.
