The New York Times said it ended Across Lite support to streamline its editorial process—not because it was ending the crossword. From August 10, 2021, it stopped providing downloadable .puz files for Across Lite. The Times directed solvers to its crossword app and website instead.
What changed in August 2021?
The Times announced that, starting August 10, it would no longer support playing its crossword in Across Lite or provide the downloadable .puz files that app used. The announcement, quoted in 9to5Mac’s August 2, 2021 report, said solvers could use the Crossword app or play on desktop and mobile web.
This was a change to how solvers accessed the puzzles, not a cancellation of the NYT crossword.
Why did the Times make the change?
The Times’ stated reason was to streamline its processes so editors could focus on editing puzzles submitted by the community. In the announcement, editor Everdeen Mason wrote: “Thank you for supporting our team as we improve and streamline our processes to allow our editors to do what they love best: edit fun puzzles our community submits to us.”
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That is the published operational explanation. The announcement does not establish other motives, such as licensing, revenue, or data collection.
Why did NYT puzzles disappear from other apps?
Third-party apps depended on either the Times’ downloadable puzzle files or authenticated access to its puzzles. Stand Alone, the developer of the Crosswords app, said the Times asked it to remove authenticated access and stopped offering the previously downloadable puzzles. Without those routes, affected apps could no longer provide NYT puzzles in the same way. Stand Alone’s account explains the access change; it does not add a separate explanation for the Times’ motive. See Stand Alone’s account.
Where can you play NYT puzzles now?
The Times’ current Games Help Center says subscribers can play on the web or in the NYT Games app for iOS and Android. It lists The Crossword and other games, and describes an archive of more than 10,000 crosswords. The page says Games is included with Home Delivery and All Access subscriptions; check the current subscription and Games information for details, which can change.
- Web: Play through the NYT Games website.
- App: Use the NYT Games app for iOS or Android.
- Print: The Help Center says the daily crossword is available in home-delivery copies or in copies bought at newsstands.
What about accessibility concerns?
Some solvers objected to losing their preferred third-party software. Contemporaneous coverage reported that visually impaired solver Jessica Dail said the NYT app was not very accessible with VoiceOver and contrasted it with Black Ink. That is her account at the time, not an independent accessibility assessment or a finding about the app’s current behavior. Accessibility needs and app behavior can vary, so check the tools and settings you rely on before choosing a way to play. See MacRumors’ contemporaneous coverage.
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How does this fit the Times’ later Games direction?
In a 2024 interview with Axios, NYT head of games Jonathan Knight said, “Our vision is to be the premier subscription destination for digital puzzles.” He also discussed a focus on human-made and human-curated games and a planned redesign to make the app feel more like a games app. Those comments describe a later product direction; they do not explain the 2021 Across Lite decision. Read the Axios interview.
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