Why We Built PuzzleBuddy: A Free Jigsaw Puzzle App With No Ads
The story behind PuzzleBuddy, why I wanted to build it, and why it really is completely free.
PuzzleBuddy
Relax · Solve · Repeat
Free, ad-free jigsaw puzzles for iPhone and iPad
A cozy little jigsaw table
for your iPhone and iPad.
PuzzleBuddy is a relaxing jigsaw puzzle app with 516 photos across 14 collections. Play offline, turn your own photos into puzzles, and pick up right where you left off. No ads, no subscriptions, no in-app purchases, and no account required.
🚫 No ads
🙂 No accounts
🔒 No tracking
📴 Works offline
The simple stuff
Everything you need, nothing you don't.
- Free
- No subscriptions or in-app purchases.
- Offline
- No internet needed to play.
- 516 puzzles
- 14 searchable collections.
- 7 sizes
- 36 to 576 pieces.
- Your photos
- Turn photos on your device into puzzles.
- Private by design
- No account, no tracking, local photo processing.
What's inside
Everything you need to settle in.
A calm, offline jigsaw table that's always ready when you are. Pick a picture, choose how tricky you want it, and start placing pieces.
🧩
516 puzzles
A hand-picked library of cozy images across fourteen categories: animals, antiques, buildings, flowers, food, Germany, inspiring locations, jewelry, rooms, Royal Britain, scenery, seasons, Upstate New York, and vehicles. All included, all offline, and searchable by what's in the picture. Or turn your own photos into puzzles, processed locally on your device.
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7 difficulty levels
From a gentle 36 pieces up to a 576-piece Legendary. Pick the size that fits your mood and the time you have.
💾
Save & Resume
Step away anytime. PuzzleBuddy keeps your puzzle exactly where you left it, and remembers your best completion times.
🖼️
Image Guide
Turn on the Image Guide for a faint preview of the finished picture right on the board. Always there, never in the way.
✨
Puzzle Buddy Assist
Stuck? Tap Assist and Puzzle Buddy places one piece for you, so the good feeling keeps going.
🔒
No ads, no accounts, no tracking
No sign-up. No interruptions. Your photos are processed locally and your progress is saved on your device. PuzzleBuddy is just you and the puzzle, the way it should be.
How to play
From blank table to finished picture.
Pick a category
Browse cozy collections: animals, antiques, flowers, food, jewelry, rooms, scenery, Royal Britain, Germany, Upstate New York, and more.
Choose a puzzle
Tap the picture you'd like to solve. There are 516 to wander through, or search for something specific, like castles or lighthouses. You can also bring one of your own photos.
Choose difficulty
Seven levels, from 36 pieces up to a 576-piece Legendary. Easy afternoon or long cozy evening. Your call.
Drag pieces from the tray
Slide pieces up from the tray onto the board. Matching pieces snap together with a satisfying click. On your first puzzle, a few gentle tips show you the ropes.
Use Assist or the Image Guide
Turn on the Image Guide for a faint preview of the finished picture right on the board, or tap Assist and Puzzle Buddy places one piece for you.
Relax, solve, repeat
Finish at your own pace, beat your best time, and start the next one whenever you like.
Questions
Good to know.
Is PuzzleBuddy free?
Yes. PuzzleBuddy is completely free — no ads, no subscriptions, and no in-app purchases. Every one of the 516 puzzles and all seven sizes are included. There's no account to create and nothing to track. Open the app and start solving.
Can I use my own photos?
Yes. In My Photos, add a picture from your photo library and PuzzleBuddy turns it into a puzzle at any size. Your photo is processed locally and a puzzle copy is saved in the app; the original stays in your library. Search covers the built-in collection only.
What puzzle sizes are available?
Seven: 36, 64, 100, 144, 225, 400, and 576 pieces. The 576-piece size is called Legendary.
Does PuzzleBuddy collect data?
PuzzleBuddy processes imported photos locally and saves your progress on your device without automatically uploading it to us. The app has no ads or third-party analytics or tracking SDKs. Optional support messages send the information you provide, and device backups may include local app data. Read the full Privacy Policy.
Does it need an account?
No account is needed to play. There's no sign-up or login, and you don't need to provide an email address or phone number to start solving. Contact details are used only if you choose to ask for support.
Does it work offline?
Yes. You can play without an internet connection, and PuzzleBuddy does not automatically upload your puzzle progress. Opening support pages or sending feedback uses internet services separately.
Can I save a puzzle?
Yes. PuzzleBuddy automatically keeps your puzzle in progress so you can step away and resume right where you left off. It also remembers your best completion times.
Where is my progress stored?
On your device. PuzzleBuddy saves automatically when you leave, down to where each piece was sitting, and keeps up to five puzzles going at once. The Privacy Policy explains what's stored and what isn't.
Who makes PuzzleBuddy?
PuzzleBuddy is made by Adrondak LLC in Glens Falls, New York. It was created by Samantha Dobbs, inspired by her love of jigsaw puzzles and wanting a calm place to play without ads.
How do I contact support?
Email support@adrondak.com, or visit the Support page for tips and a quick checklist of what to include.
From the PuzzleBuddy Blog
What Makes a Digital Jigsaw Feel Like a Real Puzzle?
What I've learned building and testing larger puzzles—and why the little details matter when you're solving hundreds of pieces.
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Free for iPhone and iPad. No ads, no subscriptions, no in-app purchases.
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Questions, ideas, or something not working right? Reach out anytime. A real person reads every message.
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