Can you see stereograms on a phone?

Yes, if the image is shown at its native size. Hold the phone sideways, about 25 to 35 cm from your face, and use the same relaxed, look-through method as on a computer.

Why does turning the phone sideways help?

In landscape the image can be shown wider, with more repeats across the screen, and the site opens it full screen at its real pixel size.

Is a phone harder than a computer?

For most beginners, yes: the repeats are smaller, so small hand movements matter more. Many players learn on a laptop and then play on the phone.

How to see stereograms on a phone

You can solve stereograms on a phone. The two things that matter are the image size and how you hold the phone. This site handles the first; this guide covers the second.

How The Week Eye shows puzzles on phones

Each weekly puzzle is generated in four sizes. On a phone you get the phone size, made with a narrower repeat for the smaller screen. Press Start, then turn your phone sideways: the image opens full screen at its native pixel size. Turn the phone upright again and the answer box appears. If you cannot turn the phone, a button opens the image without turning.

How to hold the phone

Turn the phone sideways and hold it level, so both eyes are the same distance from the screen.
Start with it close to your face, about 10 cm, so the image blurs.
Look through the screen and slowly move it away to about 25 to 35 cm.
Watch the two dots above the image. When they become three, hold still: the hidden picture appears.

Settings that help

Turn screen brightness up and avoid reflections.
Keep browser zoom at the default. Pinch-zooming the image changes the repeat and breaks the effect.
Prop your elbows on a table to keep the phone steady.
Tilting the phone even slightly puts one copy higher than the other for each eye. Keep it level.

Learn on a bigger screen first

If you are new to stereograms, the practice lessons on a laptop are the fastest way in. Once you can see step 5, the phone works the same way.