How to play Sweep: hearts, flags, hints and building worlds

Sweep is Minesweeper among the planets. You read number clues, meet a level’s goal and build the world above your board. This guide explains the parts around the puzzle so you can focus on your next safe move.

Start with the first levels

The first levels introduce the numbers on the board itself. A number tells you how many mines touch that cell, including diagonally. Begin by looking for a clue whose mines are already accounted for, or whose remaining hidden neighbours must all be mines.

If that rule is new to you, read our beginner’s guide or try the two-tap practice puzzle. The small web puzzle is a teaching example; the levels and planet-building adventure are in the Android app.

Read the goal before clearing cells

A Sweep level is not always finished by revealing every safe cell on one board. Look at the goal shown on screen. The first two levels ask you to clear their boards. Later levels alternate between resource targets and point targets.

A resource goal shows the items you need to collect. A points goal shows your progress towards a target. You may play more than one board before the level’s goal is met. Keep the goal in view, and continue making deductions rather than assuming that every level ends the same way.

Three hearts give you room for a slip

You have three hearts in a level. Hitting a mine costs one heart, including in the first level. Meet the goal before the hearts run out.

A heart gives you another chance; it does not turn a guess into a good deduction. After a slip, slow down and check which clue you used. Did you miss a diagonal, or rely on a flag you had not proved? Those are useful mistakes to recognise.

Use the FLAG button from level 3

The FLAG button is available from level 3. It puts your next tap into flag mode so you can mark a mine you have proved. A long press also becomes available from level 3; in the first two levels, a long press behaves as a tap.

Be careful with your own flags. Tapping a flag you placed lifts it and digs that cell. Only place flags when a number gives you a reason, and do not tap a flagged mine as though the flag were an ordinary closed cell.

The hint bulb helps you find a proved move

Hints are available from level 2 and in boss levels. The bulb can light a cell that can be proved safe. On the early teaching boards, it can replay the explanation of why a move is safe.

A hint is useful when you stop recognising the next step. Look at the numbers around the indicated cell and ask why the move works. Understanding that reason will help you with the next board too.

Three stars and a boss every sixth level

Each level has three stars to aim for: CLEAR, FAST and PERFECT. PERFECT means clearing without losing a heart. Start by learning to clear a level reliably; then work towards faster, cleaner play.

Every sixth level is a boss. You dig down a scrolling board as the ground falls away behind you. Beat the boss to advance and climb a grade, from Beginner towards Challenger. The pace changes, but the numbers still count touching mines.

Hold to build your next world

After clearing levels, visit BUILD and hold the upgrade control to build the planet piece by piece. Finish the world and fly on to the next. Sweep has 46 worlds, with different skies and board looks.

The planet is something to return to between levels. For the puzzle itself, your most useful habit stays the same: choose a number, identify its neighbours and make a move you can explain.

Where to play Sweep

Sweep is free to play on Android and contains ads. Check Sweep on Google Play for availability in your region. You can contact 5secStudio through the feedback box in Settings or the developer email.