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

Four in a Row

30
User verdict / 100 High confidence In trouble

Four in a Row by Fino Soft Inc. is a basic, free Connect Four game that suffers from significant technical issues, including frequent crashes, non-functional sound controls, and an abandoned development status, despite some users finding the AI challenging or enjoyable.

⚠ Not updated in 103 months, this app may be abandoned
4.1★ lifetime (4,248) Free to download since 2012 by Fino Soft Inc. recent negative 20% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Crashes Sound Issues AI Difficulty Lack of Updates/Compatibility Missing Features/Settings
5★210
4★64
3★43
2★21
1★60
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.1★ lifetime average

This free Connect Four game offers a simple experience, with some users enjoying the AI challenge and lack of intrusive ads R11R54. However, it is plagued by persistent bugs such as crashes during tie games, non-working sound settings, and an AI that can be either too easy or frustratingly difficult depending on the player R3R5R7R9. The app has not been updated in over 103 months, leading to compatibility issues with newer iOS versions and a generally unpolished experience R10R56R60.

What users like

  • Some users find the AI challenging and engagingR6R11R22R92
  • Generally free of intrusive adsR11R54R96
  • Offers a simple and classic Connect Four experienceR24R26R88

What users complain about

  • App frequently crashes, especially during tie games or when resetting statisticsR3R13R48R50
  • Sound and music controls do not work; audio plays even when muted in settingsR1R5R8R10
  • AI difficulty is inconsistent, either too easy and predictable or frustratingly hardR7R9R25R29
  • Lacks updates, leading to compatibility issues with newer iOS versions and stretched graphicsR10R56R60R37
  • Does not save user settings or game progress between sessionsR10R23
  • Some users report the app causing phone to heat up or draining batteryR52R252

Latest update · v1.2

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

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included. Optimized for new iOS

Recurring themes

Crashes negative
Many users report the app crashing frequently, particularly when a game is about to end in a tie, which often results in lost progress or statistics. Resetting statistics can also cause crashes.R3R13R48R50
Sound Issues negative
A widespread complaint is that the sound and music controls do not work; even when toggled off in settings, the game's audio continues to play. This is particularly frustrating for users who want to play silently or listen to other audio.R1R5R8R10
AI Difficulty mixed
Reviews are split on the AI difficulty. Some users find the AI too easy and predictable, even on hard mode, identifying patterns that guarantee wins. Conversely, other users find the AI, even on 'easy' mode, to be extremely difficult or nearly impossible to beat.R6R7R9R21
Lack of Updates/Compatibility negative
The app has not been updated in a long time (103.4 months), leading to compatibility issues with newer iOS versions. Users report the game not working at all on iOS 11 or newer, or experiencing distorted graphics on newer iPhones. The developer's notes mention 'Optimized for new iOS' but recent reviews contradict this, indicating ongoing issues.R10R37R46R56
Missing Features/Settings negative
Users desire features like score tracking, the ability to play with friends online, and persistent settings. The current score tracking is described as nonsensical and unchanging. Settings, such as sound preferences, do not save and must be re-entered every time the app is launched.R10R23R72R329

Who it's for

This app is for users looking for a free, basic Connect Four game who are not bothered by frequent crashes, non-functional sound controls, or an inconsistent AI R11R24. It might appeal to those who enjoy a challenge from the AI, provided they can overlook the bugs R6R11.

Evidence note: The sample of recent reviews skews heavily negative, which is consistent with the app's abandoned status (last updated 103.4 months ago) and the contradiction between developer notes (optimized for new iOS) and user reports of compatibility issues. The lifetime rating of 4.12 suggests it was once well-received, but the recent trajectory is clearly downward due to lack of maintenance.

Frequently asked

Does Four in a Row by Fino Soft Inc. allow you to turn off game sounds?
No, despite having a 'sound off' feature in settings, numerous users report that the game's sound and music continue to play even when muted, making it impossible to play silently R1R5R8R10.
Does the app crash frequently?
Yes, many users report that the app crashes frequently, especially when a game against the AI is about to end in a tie R3R13R48R50.
Is the AI challenging to beat?
The AI difficulty is inconsistent; some users find it too easy and predictable, even on hard mode, while others find it extremely difficult or almost impossible to beat, even on easy mode (R7, R9, R25, , , , , , vs. R6, R21, R29, R37, , , , , , , , ).

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. [R6] 5/5 · US ITS IMPOSIBAL TO BEAT: I love the music! On the home screen by theirs no way u can beat the AI it’s to smart but love the game and giveing a high rateing keep it up develipors!
  2. [R11] 5/5 · US Good AI, Good Game: Sometimes I win, sometimes the AI wins; seems just right. Gotta play smart. Ad bar at the bottom, but I hardly notice it; doesn’t impede game. Good job.
  3. [R22] 5/5 · US Nobody dares challenge me in Connect 4: I played this game on a few road trips, logging ~15 or more hours against CPU. Now I am god in connect four.
  4. [R92] 5/5 · US Great Game: The levels are very realistic and challenging !
  5. [R54] 5/5 · US It’s connect four: Title say it all, connect four with no ads or anything bad.
  6. [R96] 3/5 · US Knocks out my music!: Even when I turn the Sound option OFF on the game, my music, podcasts, and audiobooks cease playing. BOO! This mindless game is supposed to be a >secondary< distraction. 📱📲 Other than that incredibly annoying oversight, game plays well and had enough variation. I don't give a whoop about statistics so I can not comment on the accuracy of it or anything. No ads pop up OVER
  7. [R24] 5/5 · US Fun: Always a fun game! Loved it as a kid and still do as an adult.
  8. [R26] 5/5 · US THIS IS BEST APP EVER!: I love this game! Especially because I love a classic game of connect four! Everyone should have this game.
  9. [R88] 5/5 · US Four in a Row: I love this game
  10. [R3] 4/5 · US Crashes: When I’m winning the game seems to crash a lot. I like the game. But that has to be fixed.
  11. [R13] 3/5 · US Crashes: I like to keep track of my wins n the cpu wins during my lil tournaments in my head but can’t do that if it crashes when it’s a tie… FIX YALL APP!!! Been like this too long… I’m uninstalling now for a diff one.
  12. [R48] 4/5 · US Crashing: Great app but everytime I play on hard and there’s about to be a draw, the app crashes
  13. [R50] 4/5 · US Challenging and fun but one issue: Great game and really fun, but the gave literally crashed at a dear between me and the ai
  14. [R1] 2/5 · US Good but: The “sound off” feature doesn’t work
  15. [R5] 1/5 · US You can’t turn the sound off!!: If you’re at work, in a meeting and board out of your mind, the very last thing you want is for the boss to hear you playing games on your phone. That’s why I turn the sound off on all my games. But this game now has the sound on no matter what you have it set on!! Let me turn the sound off if I want to or I’m deleting the game! 😡
  16. [R8] 1/5 · US Cannot turn sound off.: Go to the setting turn sound off. Sound still plays.
  17. [R10] 3/5 · US badly needs an update: I enjoy playing it. However, it has no ability to track scores. After each game, it says “current scores: 6; total scores 80.” Which makes absolutely no sense, and it says the exact same thing pretty much every time (the numbers don’t change). Also, the option to turn off sound does not work. And, you have to re-input your preferred settings every time you launch t
  18. [R7] 1/5 · US The algorithm is dumber than my 6 year old sister: I’m not an expert at connect four by any means, but I’ve played my 6 year old sister at connect four and she puts up more of a challenge than this computer algorithm. I feel dumber after playing on this app
  19. [R9] 3/5 · US Basic features: This game needs a higher level of difficulty. These bots have noticeable patterns which weaken the gaming experience and/or the immediate challenge.
  20. [R25] 1/5 · US Bad AI: The AI reads your move, and then reacts the same way every time. Once you remember the pattern, you can play the same game every round.
  21. [R29] 1/5 · US Not to good: It’s never any fun when someone beats you over and over again. I’m not being a bad sport, but that’s life. It’s no fun. I’ve played about 50 games and only won twice. It’s really hard too. If you like a challenge, be my guest, but I do not like being smoked every single time. My suggestion is make it a bit easier. It would be a lot better if you could win more than twice every 50 game
  22. [R56] 4/5 · US IOS 11 Update Issue: This is really a great app on the go or if you’re just chillaxing at home. The only part that I hate right now is that it doesn’t work with IOS 11 (found out the day IOS 11 was released). I would really appreciate you guys could update it to IOS 11. Thanks, a loyal player! 😁
  23. [R60] 3/5 · US Please update!: Love! however, needs to be updated for iOS 11 please!!
  24. [R37] 3/5 · US A Resounding “Meh”: It does exactly as it says. It’s good for playing with someone else but it’s near impossible to beat the AI unless you are extremely skilled at the game... Even with the AI set to easy. Something seems wrong there. My only other complaint is that “optimizing” the app for the new iOS and iPhone meant simply stretching the entire app to fit the screen of the iPhone X. The circula
  25. [R23] 2/5 · US Not too bad for a freebie: Turning off sound does not turn off sound. Hard isn't that hard but it is more competitive than others I've played. App sometimes crashes at the time of a draw and sometimes the move prior to a draw. When you leave the app it doesn't maintain your settings or game count.
  26. [R52] 2/5 · US Annoying music: Game updated and now every time you open it the music is loud and annoying until you go into options and silence it. They should let you default a setting so you don’t have to change it every time. Also for some reason it activated my location service on phone draining battery. After searching I figured it was this app and once the app removed problem solved. Fun to play but n
  27. [R252] 3/5 · GB Makes phone heat up: Good game, only played in easy mode so far but when ever I play this my iPhone 7 heats up and battery drops quickly. No other app I have does this. Must be a bug?
  28. [R21] 1/5 · US AI too difficult: What kind of crystal meth are you people smoking if you think this game is easy? Even on easy difficulty, you have a 50/50 chance to win.
  29. [R46] 1/5 · US The new update distorts the game: I loved playing this game until I updated it on April 14th. Now the board is distorted and blurry. Please fix it back to what it was before the update! How do you get in touch with tech support.
  30. [R72] 4/5 · US Challenge Game Center Players: Please add back feature to challenge Game Center players or other way to play larger community of players. In past, able to play others at least synchronously online. Nice if added back this feature, even if others not always available. By playing others in larger community, found some really skilled players. Now seems only can play a person right there with you.
  31. [R329] 3/5 · CA Friends: I love the app! The only thing I don't like is you can't play with friends? It be great if you could play with a friend while them not at your side!. It should be fixed like asap!!!

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