How to solve a Rubik’s cube 2×2 (easy beginner method)

The 2×2 (Pocket Cube) has only 8 corners – no centers, no edges. Since there are no fixed centers, you pick a color for the bottom. If you can solve a 3×3, you reuse the same algorithms.

Step 1: First layer

Pick a white corner as a reference and keep white on the bottom. Bring each white corner above its slot and repeat R U R′ U′ until it drops in correctly.

Step 2: Yellow face

Flip white to the bottom. Use Sune (R U R′ U R U2 R′) to orient all yellow to the top. Repeat until the whole top is yellow.

Step 3: Permute corners

Turn U to find two adjacent corners sharing a side color (“headlights”). Hold the headlights on the left and run the corner-permutation algorithm. That solves the cube.

To check your work, use “Solve my cube” in the app: enter your 2×2 colors and it gives the shortest solution.