Every turn, explained.

For support, contact FreeRangeLabs@drumnbus.com.

Expanded puzzle update

Version 1.2.0 has completed release QA and is submitted for App Store review on iPhone, iPad and Mac. The new version brings 2×2–7×7 cubes, Smart 3×3, Pyraminx and Skewb into the main Solve screen; choose the puzzle in Settings. Each puzzle retains its own progress.

Start a solve

Open Scan and capture or import one face at a time, or enter colors manually. Follow the face-above label to keep the grid upright. Turn the whole cube between captures without twisting any layer. One picture cannot reveal hidden stickers. Review every suggested sticker and confirm every face, then solve. Pyraminx has four triangular faces; cubes and Skewb have six faces.

Camera or colors need help

Use even light without flash, keep fingers off stickers and show a complete face. For 3×3, automatic corners can be adjusted manually. For other puzzles, align the square or triangular outline with the photographed face. Confirm the actual center color if the model misreads it. Rotate the grid only when the photo’s orientation is wrong. Camera access can be enabled in iPhone Settings or Mac System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera. Imported photos and manual entry work without camera permission.

For 3×3, Cube settings → Color calibration lists all six center samples. Capture a named missing center without changing the current cube or guide. Calibration activates after all six usable samples exist. Reset or recapture when changing cubes or lighting. A dark or uneven patch requires a retake. Previously missing samples cannot be recreated from sticker labels; take a fresh photo.

Follow the guide

Keep the selected top/front reference. A plain letter is clockwise as viewed directly at that face; an apostrophe reverses it; 2 means a half turn. Preview turns the moving pieces and smoothly returns them to the current step without advancing. A number before a letter, such as 2R, means only that inner layer from the named face. Pyraminx and Skewb use 120° corner-axis turns; lowercase Pyraminx letters turn only a tip. Make the physical move, then select I made this turn. Use Back only after undoing the physical turn when necessary. Dragging the virtual cube does not move your actual cube or advance the guide. Reset the reference view with the arrow on the cube.

The virtual cube is a predicted state, not a physical AR overlay. The 3×3 camera turn-tracking tool requires stable, upright before/after views and can decline to confirm ambiguous faces. If it waits, improve lighting and calibration or advance manually after checking the turn. If you lose track, scan the cube again as it is now.

Invalid cube state

Check color counts, orientation, duplicate pieces and that every face is confirmed. If scans are correct, a twisted corner, flipped edge or swapped pieces can make a cube physically unreachable. The solver does not silently change your colors.

Saved work and limits

Puzzle history, captures, calibration and guide progress stay on each device. Raw photos are not retained. Optional iCloud or folder synchronization covers timer results, training progress and cube profiles, not puzzle photos or solution history. The expanded version supports 2×2–7×7 cubes, Pyraminx and Skewb. Mirror cubes and picture-center orientation are not supported. Large-cube routes can be long; verified solutions do not imply a shortest route.

Practice and learning

Practice contains the timer, algorithm drills, patterns and experimental smart-cube tools. Puzzle selection and solving are in Solve and Settings. Learn offers guided 3×3 lessons. Bluetooth operation depends on a compatible cube and permission; regular capture and manual solving do not require pairing.

Contact checklist

Provide app version, device and OS, workflow step, lighting and whether you calibrated. Describe what you expected and what occurred. Only attach cube-only pictures you choose to share; avoid faces, addresses or other personal information. Contact FreeRangeLabs@drumnbus.com.