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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

Idle Digging

45
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

Idle Digging offers a simple, relaxing idle gameplay experience, but it is heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of forced ads, and a 'no ads' purchase that frequently fails to remove all advertisements.

⚠ Not updated in 26 months, this app may be abandoned
4.6★ lifetime (37,810) Free + in-app purchases since 2020 by Zplay (Beijing) Info. Tech. Co.,Ltd. recent negative 45% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Ads Ad Removal Purchase Gameplay Enjoyment Progression & Content
5★187
4★29
3★49
2★48
1★168
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.6★ lifetime average

Idle Digging is a free-to-play idle game where players manage diggers to mine resources. While some users find the core gameplay relaxing and addictive, the experience is significantly hampered by frequent, forced advertisements and issues with the in-app purchase to remove ads.

What users like

  • Gameplay is relaxing, simple, and addictive for many usersR8R39R41R87
  • Considered a good time killer for casual playersR20R24R65
  • Some players enjoy the game's aesthetic and charmR65

What users complain about

  • Excessive and frequent forced ads interrupt gameplay, often appearing every 30-90 seconds or after every actionR2R5R6R9
  • The 'no ads' in-app purchase ($1.99-$5 USD) frequently does not remove all ads, particularly those for boosts or rewardsR3R7R11R12
  • Ads are often forced even when users decline optional ad offers or try to close themR1R6R10R26
  • Progression can become very slow, with items becoming too expensive or requiring extensive grindingR4R44R98R168
  • Game lacks sufficient content, with many players completing all available levels quickly and waiting for updatesR47R51R162R292
  • Some users report bugs, such as ads not being available for rewards, reward boosts not activating or lasting, or issues with map navigationR13R66R218R291

Latest update · v1.7.6

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

- Some minor fixes and optimization

Recurring themes

Ads negative
The most prevalent complaint is the overwhelming number of ads. Users report forced ads appearing every few seconds or minutes, even when declining optional ads or after making an in-app purchase to remove them. This issue is so severe that many describe the game as an 'ad-watching simulator'.R1R2R5R6
Ad Removal Purchase negative
Many users who paid for the 'no ads' option (ranging from $1.99 to $5 USD) report that ads still appear, especially for boosts or rewards. This leads to frustration and a feeling of being scammed, as the purchase does not deliver on its promise of an ad-free experience.R3R7R11R12
Gameplay Enjoyment mixed
Despite the ad issues, a significant number of players find the core idle digging gameplay to be relaxing, simple, and addictive. It is often described as a good way to pass the time, with some users expressing strong enjoyment and nostalgia for the game.R4R8R20R24
Progression & Content negative
Many users report that the game quickly becomes too expensive, leading to very slow progression and a feeling of stagnation. There are also complaints about a lack of new content, with players completing all available levels quickly and then having nothing new to do.R4R44R47R51

Who it's for

This game is for casual gamers looking for a simple, relaxing idle experience to pass the time R8R20R65. It might appeal to those who enjoy basic progression loops and don't mind frequent interruptions. It is NOT for players who dislike constant ads or expect a truly ad-free experience after making an in-app purchase R3R6R21.

Evidence note: The recent reviews heavily emphasize the negative aspects, particularly the ad experience and the ineffectiveness of the 'no ads' purchase. While there are positive reviews praising the core gameplay, they are fewer in number and often acknowledge the ad issue. The developer's notes for the latest update are vague ('minor fixes and optimization') and do not address the primary complaints about ads or the ad-free purchase, which continue to be reported in recent reviews.

Frequently asked

Does Idle Digging have a lot of ads?
Yes, Idle Digging is heavily criticized for an excessive number of forced ads that appear frequently, often every 30-90 seconds or after almost every in-game action R5R6R17R55.
Does paying for 'no ads' actually remove all ads in Idle Digging?
No, many users report that paying for the 'no ads' option (which costs around $1.99 to $5 USD) does not remove all ads; ads for boosts and rewards still frequently appear, leading to frustration and a feeling of being scammed R3R11R21R30.
Is Idle Digging a true idle game?
Some users argue it's not a true idle game because you often need to have the game open to progress effectively, and diggers may only work for a limited time offline, not contributing significantly to level increases R19R105.
Is there enough content in Idle Digging?
Many players report completing all available levels quickly, sometimes within a few days, and then find a lack of new content, leading to boredom and a desire for more updates R47R51R162R292.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R8] 5/5 · US Relaxing: It’s cool, I’m kinda addicted. Not much to it, it’s simple and good to setting down and play.
  2. [R39] 5/5 · US This game is amazing!!!!: A little while ago I was looking for an actual good game to play and all I found was trash games!I thought it was hopeless but then I found this game!It’s so fun when you’re like me and have nothing to do on your phone or you just want new games.It 100% deserves what I rated it
  3. [R41] 5/5 · US Amazing game: Very peaceful and is just an amazing game. In my opinion, this game is worth it to download.
  4. [R87] 5/5 · US Thank for this game you made!!: The only game I play on this phone thank you so much this game is fun and nice and peaceful 💖❤️💓💕🥰💝💔😍😘👍👍🤩
  5. [R20] 3/5 · US Kinda fun: A waste of time but pretty fun
  6. [R24] 3/5 · US 5/10: It’s fun if you’re a casual gamer but still there are adds so not all fan but I will recommend to play
  7. [R65] 3/5 · US Stop shoving adds in my face.: just give an optional add setting, that's turns off the "watch an add to get a boost" that appears every second. and stop forcing me to watch an add even when i click no thanks. other than that neat time killer. animations are charming and progression is pretty average.
  8. [R2] 1/5 · US Ads: I do not mind watching ads to earn benefits. However don’t start ads without me choosing to do so. Nothing annoys me more. I have deleted the game.
  9. [R5] 1/5 · US Forced ads: Forced ads after 3 minutes of playing
  10. [R6] 2/5 · US Ad-watching simulator: It’s basically an ad-watching simulator. Every time you want to do anything other than clicking it forces you to watch an ad. Even if you want to level up it says do you want to watch an ad to get 2x? You say no and it still gives an ad. This is every 30s of clicking. I also have no idea what the clicking even does because they seem to love at the same pace without clicking.
  11. [R9] 1/5 · US Ads: Forced ads. Hate them. Stop it. Don’t make the player pay $3 usd to play a game for more than 90 seconds. If I wanna give you money I will.
  12. [R3] 3/5 · US Paid for no ads - still getting ads: Paid for no ads in 2 different ways and still getting ads. Annoying. Game is fun otherwise.
  13. [R7] 1/5 · US Broken Ad Purchase: Purchasing Ad-free doesn’t work so you are still forced to watch the ads.
  14. [R11] 3/5 · US No Ads isn’t no ads: Don’t pay for no ads. You’ll still have to watch ads for the boosts. Games okay but no ads and still making you watch ads is too scammy
  15. [R12] 2/5 · US Ads: Why give the option to pay for no ads, if all the offers to help boost you idle gameplay still requires you to watch ridiculously long ads. It’s a complete waste of money
  16. [R1] 4/5 · US Another ad pay game: Get the option to watch an ad for an in game benefit. I say no. Still get an ad that does not give any in game benefits. This isn’t an accident, this is deliberate. Just another developer who hopes you’ll pay them money to get ride of ads instead of balancing ads vs. Game play.
  17. [R10] 1/5 · US Why can’t I skip ads: You charge for pop up ads but force rewards ads?! Yea screw you too
  18. [R26] 2/5 · US Idle Add Simulator: Every Level-up or upgrade involve some for of add, even if you press the clearly marked ‘’X’’
  19. [R4] 4/5 · US A pretty good deal: This game is fun until things get too expensive and it takes longer to buy things but overall it’s a pretty damn good game
  20. [R44] 5/5 · US It’s very fun: When I first started I realized the fun of this game but when you buy a lot of profit you don’t get that much money still.
  21. [R98] 3/5 · US Love it but why so much: Every thing is great but why so much to get more workers?
  22. [R168] 3/5 · US It was boring: This is a game that the progression is very slow. It is also jam packed with ads. It was fun for the first 5 mins, then got boring.
  23. [R47] 2/5 · US Short: Completed the game in three days. There aren’t many levels and they go fast. I did encounter one problem though, at the end of the ‘desert’ level, (the last level on earth), when you think you’ve finished all the levels, a ‘next’ pops up and takes you to four additional levels. If you travel to earth or mars you cannot get back to these four levels. Please fix this, and add more levels.
  24. [R51] 1/5 · US Waiting…: Can’t play without an update. 😅 I hate having a dead game on my phone. Please add more areas soon.
  25. [R162] 3/5 · US It’s ok: I love it but there is not enough I finished it in 1 day
  26. [R292] 3/5 · GB Great But Lacking Ckntent: It’s been about 5 months since I last played the game because I’ve completed every level. Still awaiting MORE levels - would suggest updating soon.
  27. [R13] 2/5 · US I mean: This game looks fun in all but when I downloaded it. It wouldn’t let me play like what?
  28. [R66] 3/5 · US Kind of messed up: The ads rewards don’t always last as long as they’re supposed to or activate. There’s lots of forced ads even when pressing the x. After beating the mars and earth locations it sent me to this janky halloween place that after I visited earth disappeared with no option to return. 🤷🏻‍♂️idk. The diamonds existing would be more productive if they could purchase variations of charact
  29. [R218] 3/5 · US Ok but the ads.: When I want to get something that costs an ad, it says there are no ads available, but at random times, I get some ads which makes no sense! Please fix your game.
  30. [R291] 3/5 · GB It’s just...: Every time and I mean EVERY time I cancel one of the helpers there is an ad over and over and over and over again and can you make it so you pay 10 gems to get a free re roll on the prize wheel? Bc my family had to delete it you know why bc they thought it was rubish bc they it kicked out the game continuously when they tried to join and that happened to me(sometimes) it really annoy
  31. [R17] 1/5 · US Ads: Ads pop up almost every minute, and after upgrading/leveling up
  32. [R55] 1/5 · US Frequency of ads is ridiculous: I actually enjoyed the core gameplay, but within a few minutes, the game was pushing ads on me at a ridiculous rate. My screen became cluttered with “opportunities” to watch ads. Dig up some gold ore? Watch an ad to claim it. Big guy wanders over to the dig site? Watch an ad to use him. Watch ads to spin the wheel, increase your earnings, increase your speed, etc.
  33. [R21] 1/5 · US False: Pay for no ads and still have to watch ads.
  34. [R30] 1/5 · US Why Pay for Ad Free and Still Have to Watch Ads?: I paid $3 to remove ads for this game and still, every single power-up requires watching 30 second ads…
  35. [R19] 1/5 · US Ads everywhere: The abuse of ads in this game is insane. They show ads even when you tap options that shouldn’t. Also, this is not an idle game. You have to have the game open in order to progress. Otherwise your diggers will work for a small amount of time (based on stamina), won’t make any progress in the dig site, and it won’t count to your level increase.
  36. [R105] 3/5 · US lots to do: for an idle game about watching people dig i sure need to do a of things that keep them digging

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store