Support

Answers to common questions, and how to report a problem with the app.

Problem with the app? If something isn't working as it should, such as a crash, a purchase that won't unlock, or something that looks wrong on screen, write to support@breakawaysolitaire.com. It helps to say which device you're using, and the deal number if it's about a game (it's in the menu, above Resume). In the app, Contact Support on the About page starts the email for you, with your app's version and device filled in. For how to play, see the answers below, or How to Play in the app's menu.

Playing

How do I play?

Build each suit on its foundation, starting with the ace and going up to the king. Only the top card of a stack, or a card in a free cell, can move, and it can go into one of three locations:

into an empty free cell,
onto the top card of another stack that's the same suit and one higher (e.g., the 8 of hearts can be placed on a stack only when the top card on that stack is the 9 of hearts), or
onto its foundation, if the current top foundation card is one lower (e.g., the 8 of hearts can be moved to the hearts foundation only when the current top card is the 7 of hearts).

A stack that loses its last card is gone for good: nothing can take its place. Five or more cards of one suit in order on top of other cards break away into a stack of their own, which then frees up the card below it to move.

For a short animated tour, open the menu and choose How to Play.

Why can't I move a king back out of a free cell?

A card in a free cell can only move up to a stack if placed on the next higher card of its suit, or home to its foundation. No card is higher than a king, so once a king is in a free cell, it can never go back up to the stacks. A king in a free cell stays there, taking up one of your four free cells, until its foundation pile is filled up all the way to the queen and the king can move to the foundation to complete it. That might take a while (and might be impossible if you don't have enough free cells left over), so think carefully before moving a king down to a free cell!

Can I move more than one card at once?

Technically, each card moves one at a time, but a run of cards can be moved from one stack to another using free cells as intermediate locations. The game automates this for you: tap or drag the first card of a run of one suit, and if there are enough empty free cells, the moves that carry the whole run are executed for you, one card at a time.

What does tapping a card do?

It makes the card's best move: home if it can go, otherwise onto the next card up of its suit, otherwise into a free cell. Drag a card to put it exactly where you want it.

Can every deal be won?

By default, the game only uses deals that have been proven winnable, and each deal has a difficulty grading of Easy, Medium, Hard, or Expert.

If you choose Unrestricted Deal in Settings, new games are dealt in a way that mimics playing the game in real life with an actual deck of cards. With that setting, about one in four deals can't be won.

What makes a deal Easy, Medium, Hard, or Expert?

Mostly how many free cells a win needs: two for the gentlest deals, all four for the hardest. Within that, how much trial and error a win takes, and how many of the choices along the way lose the game.

What's a "perfect" game?

A game won without undos, restarts, checks, hints, or rewinds: played as you would with real cards.

Is my game saved?

Yes, after every move, on your device. Leave whenever you like and you'll pick up where you were.

Can I turn off the sounds?

Yes. In Settings, turn off Sound Effects (and on iPhone, Haptics). On iPhone and iPad the sounds also stay quiet when your device is in silent mode, and play alongside your music rather than stopping it.

The solver and Breakaway Plus

What does the solver do?

Tap the solver's button on the board (the check mark with a question mark) to find out whether the game can still be won. If it can, it offers a hint: the next move of a way to win. If it can't, it offers to rewind to the last move where it still could be.

What's free, and what does Breakaway Plus add?

The whole game is free to play, including unlimited undos. Every game comes with one free solver check, along with the hint or rewind it offers.

Breakaway Plus is a one-time purchase that unlocks unlimited solver checks, hints, and rewinds within every game. Features added to Breakaway Plus later are included at no extra cost. The Breakaway Plus upgrade is shared with your family through Family Sharing.

I bought Breakaway Plus, but it's locked

Open Settings and tap Restore Purchases, signed in with the Apple Account you bought it with. If a family member bought it, check that Family Sharing is set up and that purchase sharing is on.

Can I get a refund?

Purchases are made through the App Store, so refunds are handled by Apple: you can ask for one at reportaproblem.apple.com.

Accessibility

Breakaway works with VoiceOver: each stack, free cell, and foundation is read out, every move can be chosen from a list of actions, and what each move did is said aloud. With Reduce Motion on, the win's celebration keeps the cards still.

Privacy

Breakaway doesn't collect any data. See the privacy policy.