At a glance
- Latest version
- v3.0.2.390 (500121)
- Updated
- Jul 22, 2026 (3 months ago)
- APK size
- 67.6 MB
- Requires
- Android 8.0+ (API 26)
- CPU support
- x86 32-bit, x86 64-bit, ARM 32-bit, ARM 64-bit
- Category
- Puzzle (game)
- Permissions
- 17 (1 sensitive)
- Website
- usatoday.com
- Developer contact
- [email protected]
- Privacy
- Developer's privacy policy
About this APK
USA TODAY PLAY Crosswords is a game by USA TODAY in the Puzzle category. It includes native code for x86 32-bit, x86 64-bit, ARM 32-bit and ARM 64-bit, so it runs on practically every phone.
It asks for 17 permissions, 1 of them sensitive: approximate location. The game offers in-app purchases through Google Play and can read the advertising ID that ad and analytics services use.
What's new in v3.0.2.390
Description
From the listing uploaded by “superpocket”.
Security & authenticity
Signing certificate
- Certificate issued to “zph-mph” Not the developer's name (“USA TODAY”). Names in certificates can't be verified, so this alone proves nothing.
Store checks and file details
- Developer signature under review Aug 12, 2026
- Signed byCN=Jx Clarynx, O=zph-mph, OU=anon.org, L=Caraga, ST=Surigao Del Norte, C=8609
- Signing certificate (SHA-1)7D:64:F9:C2:53:C7:EF:35:A0:72:0F:6F:8A:80:2B:D4:B9:20:AA:3A
- File MD5f3cc21e2634e4eb57fb879168d984b88
- Uploaded by “superpocket” Silver tier · 5,272 followers · uploading since 2016
Scans and ratings come from the source store; the certificate comparisons are AAPKs's own, made from the files' published signatures. AAPKs doesn't scan files itself — compare the MD5 and signer after downloading.
Permissions (17)
USA TODAY PLAY Crosswords requests 17 permissions, 1 of them sensitive.
- Approximate location Sensitive android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION
- Access adservices ad id android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_AD_ID
- Access adservices attribution android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_ATTRIBUTION
- Access adservices topics android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_TOPICS
- Advertising ID com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID
- Control vibration android.permission.VIBRATE
- Download without notification android.permission.DOWNLOAD_WITHOUT_NOTIFICATION
- Full network access android.permission.INTERNET
- Google Play install referrer com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE
- In-app purchases (Google Play Billing) com.android.vending.BILLING
- Internal broadcast protection (app-defined) com.usatoday.crossword.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
- Prevent the device from sleeping android.permission.WAKE_LOCK
- Receive push notifications com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE
- Run foreground services android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE
- Show notifications android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS
- View Wi-Fi connections android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE
- View network connections android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
Required hardware & features
- Basic touch input android.hardware.faketouch
- Location android.hardware.location
- Portrait screen android.hardware.screen.portrait
- Wi-Fi android.hardware.wifi
USA TODAY PLAY Crosswords APK: questions and answers
Can I install this APK over the version I already have?
Only if it is signed with the same certificate as the copy on your phone and isn't an older version. If Android says “App not installed”, the certificates differ; uninstalling your copy first works but deletes its data unless it is backed up.
Is USA TODAY PLAY Crosswords free?
The APK is free to download, but the game offers in-app purchases through Google Play.
Is the USA TODAY PLAY Crosswords APK safe?
No one can promise that a file is safe, but some things can be checked. The source store rates this file Trusted. After downloading, check that the file's MD5 is f3cc21e2634e4eb57fb879168d984b88.
