Did you wake up this morning, coffee in hand, only to find a paywall blocking your daily New York Times mini crossword, instead of finding the answers to today’s crossword? If you’re staring at your screen wondering if it’s a glitch — or just feeling like your morning routine has been completely ‘obliterated’ — as some Reddit users expressed, you’re not alone.
The change officially took effect Aug. 27, and the New York Times confirms it on their help page: “The Mini Crossword is a smaller version of the New York Times Crossword puzzle and is available to anyone with a New York Times subscription that includes access to Games — All Access, Home Delivery, and Games subscriptions.”
But don’t worry, USA Today has its version of the mini crossword puzzle called Daily Crossword, along with a list of several other free alternatives that can help keep your mind sharp while you sip your coffee.
Want to play a mini crossword puzzle for free? Here’s an alternative to the NYT mini crossword
Kick off your day with our popular Daily Crossword challenge — a fun brain teaser enjoyed by millions. It’s completely free and available anytime, anywhere. For even easier access, download the USA TODAY app and take the puzzle with you on the go.
Other crosswords in the app include:
Where can I play USA TODAY Crossword for free?
You can download the app here and get access to the free daily crosswords and other games.
Is the Mini Crossword no longer free? Can you still play it without paying?
Not anymore. The New York Times mini crossword has officially moved behind the paywall, joining the full-sized crossword as a subscriber-only feature.
While some users say they can still access it through the mobile app, it’s no longer available for free on the web and has been removed from the list of free games on the New York Times Games page.
The change was confirmed on Wednesday via the NYT’s official help page, which now states that access to the mini requires a subscription.
“The Mini Crossword is a smaller version of the New York Times Crossword puzzle and is available to anyone with a New York Times subscription that includes access to Games — All Access, Home Delivery, and Games subscriptions.”
How can I access the New York Times mini crossword without a subscription?
If you still can’t let go of the NYT mini crossword, but don’t have a New York Times subscription, you can consider the following: check your local library’s website. Many libraries provide free digital access to the New York Times, including the Games section. You may need to log in with your library card and request a daily access code — but it’s completely free!
Aside from USA TODAY, what is the alternative to the NYT mini crossword?
For the mini crossword fans without access through their library, there are alternatives. The LA Times and Seattle Times have their own mini crosswords. However, although free, they’re not identical to the New York Times version.
Other publications like The Washington Post and The New York Post also offer free alternatives.
Which NYT puzzle games remain free? Is Wordle still free?
Yes, according to an interview with The Hill, other popular games like Wordle, Connections, Strands and Sudoku, remain free to play, the company noted, saying it will “continue to experiment with what works best for our subscribers and explore how Games can contribute even more meaningfully to The Times’s essential subscription strategy.”
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Can’t play today’s New York Times mini crossword? Here’s a free alternative
Reporting by Doris Alvarez Cea, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
