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On the start screen choose Create, enter your name, optionally pick an avatar, then tap Make a room. You’ll get a four-character room code and an invite link to share with the other players. Or choose vs Computer to play on your own.

Choose Join, type the four-character room code from the host, add your name and tap Join the fun. Codes use letters and numbers, but never I, O, 0 or 1, so they’re easy to read out loud. If the host sent you an invite link, opening it fills in the code for you.

Check the code with the host and make sure you’re online. A game that has finished can’t be joined, so ask the host to start a new one. If it still won’t work, contact us with the details below.

If you close the app, lose signal or refresh the page, open Categories again on the same device and tap Rejoin on the start screen. The game keeps the time and scores, and your typed answers are kept. The countdown is never paused or extended for anyone.

Sound plays only from the host’s phone, and only when no TV screen is connected to the room, so other players’ phones stay quiet by design. If you’re the host and hear nothing, check your device volume and silent switch, then tap the screen once and try again.

You never need a photo to play. You can take a selfie, choose a photo, or just keep your emoji avatar. If you decline camera access the game works exactly the same. A photo can appear on a shared TV if one is connected, and it expires automatically after about 24 hours.

During review any player can challenge an answer. An AI referee (VAR) settles clear cases first. For debatable answers, the other players vote privately, and the player whose answer is in question sits out that vote.

Categories runs in a current browser on phones, tablets and computers, and needs an internet connection. It can also be added to your Home Screen: in Safari on iPhone choose Share, then Add to Home Screen.