How to solve a 2x2 Rubik's Cube with pictures

Step 1: Solve the top layer

1. Choose a color to be the top color (usually white or yellow).
2. Find a corner piece with that color on top and move it to the front top left position.
3. Find another corner piece with the top color and move it to the front top right position.
4. Rotate the top layer until the two corner pieces are oriented correctly (with the top color on top and the other two colors facing the front and right sides of the cube).
5. Find the edge piece with the top color on it and move it to the front top edge position.
6. Rotate the top layer until the edge piece is oriented correctly (with the top color on top and the other color facing the front side of the cube).

Goal:

Step 2: Solve the bottom layer

1. Find a corner piece with the bottom color on it and move it to the bottom front left position.
2. Find another corner piece with the bottom color on it and move it to the bottom front right position.
3. Rotate the bottom layer until the two corner pieces are oriented correctly (with the bottom color on the bottom and the other two colors facing the front and right sides of the cube).
4. Find the edge piece with the bottom color on it and move it to the bottom front edge position.
5. Rotate the bottom layer until the edge piece is oriented correctly (with the bottom color on the bottom and the other color facing the front side of the cube).

Step 3: Permute the top layer

1. Find the edge piece that is not oriented correctly on the top layer.
2. Hold the cube so that the edge piece is in the front top right position.
3. Perform the following algorithm:

R' D' R D

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all of the edge pieces on the top layer are oriented correctly.
5. Rotate the top layer until the top color is facing up.

Step 4: Permute the corner pieces

1. Find a corner piece on the top layer that is not oriented correctly.
2. Hold the cube so that the corner piece is in the front top left position.
3. Perform the following algorithm:

U R U' R'

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all of the corner pieces on the top layer are oriented correctly.

Congratulations! You have solved the 2x2 Rubik's Cube!