Answers to the questions we hear most. Anything else, write to hello@istangull.com and a human will reply.
How do I play?
Follow the ferry from Kadıköy to Karaköy and catch the simits its passengers throw. Tap a simit and Susam flies to it. Hold Brake to hang in the wind. Flick down to dive: simits caught in a dive count double. Golden simits start a combo.
Avoid the trash. It makes Susam queasy and resets your combo, and a plastic bag sticks to your face until you flap it off (drag up). Every simit refills the hunger bar; if it runs empty, the trip ends.
How do I look around?
Move your phone: it works like a window onto the Bosphorus. If that’s awkward (on a bus or a ferry, say), open Settings → Look around with → Two-finger drag. A lower field of view in Settings can help if you feel motion sick.
How do I get new birds?
Catching simits fills your simit wallet. Spend them in the Market on Galata Güvercini, Üsküdar Güvercini, Beyoğlu Tıknazı or Kadıköy Kargası. The legendary Altın Martı is an in-app purchase. Each bird has its own Power, Speed and Maneuver.
I bought simits but they didn’t arrive.
Close and reopen Istangull with an internet connection, then open the Market. Purchases that were interrupted are finished and added to your wallet when the app next connects. If they still don’t appear, email us with the date of the purchase.
Can I restore my purchases?
Birds bought with real money, like Altın Martı, can: open the Market and tap Restore Purchases while signed in with the same Apple ID.
Simit packs are consumable, like tokens in an arcade: once they’re added to your wallet, they’re yours to spend. Your simit wallet and the birds you bought with simits live on your device, so they can’t be restored on another device or after deleting the app.
For refunds, Apple handles all payments: request one at reportaproblem.apple.com.
How do I change my username?
Open Settings → Change name. Usernames are 3 to 16 characters and must be unique.
How do I delete my data?
Open Settings → Delete my data. It removes your username, scores and anonymous account from our servers straight away. Your simits and birds on the phone stay until you delete the app. Details are in our privacy policy.
Which devices does it run on?
iPhone and iPad with iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later. The game is played in landscape. The optional pixel filter needs iOS 26.
Do I need an internet connection?
Only for the leaderboard and purchases. You can fly without one; your scores are sent the next time you’re online.
Still need a hand?
Write to us. If it’s about your account, tell us your device, iOS version and username.