Support

Stuck on something, found a bug, or got an idea? The answers to the usual questions are below. If yours isn’t, email us.

Playing

How does a round work?

Everyone splits into hunters and runners. Runners get a head start to hide. Then, on the host’s schedule, the hunters get a ping showing where each runner was. Each team sees its own players live; runners never see the hunters. A runner who stays outside the play zone for more than 30 seconds shows up live for the hunters until they’re back in. When a hunter tags you in person, tap I got tagged. Any runners still in when time runs out win.

How many people can play?

At least 3, on their own phones. There’s at least one hunter for every 10 players, and never more hunters than runners. Pick Random and SCRAM fills whichever team needs you.

Can I try it on my own?

Yes. On the home screen, tap Try a demo round to play against bots on your phone.

Can the round end early?

It ends as soon as every runner has been tagged. The host can also end it for everyone with the ⋯ button beside Map and Radio. Anyone can leave a round from the same button, but they can’t rejoin it.

Hosting

Do I need to pay to play?

No. Downloading SCRAM and joining a friend’s game is free. Hosting your own games is a one-time purchase, with no subscription and no ads.

I bought hosting on another phone, or it isn’t showing

Sign in to your SCRAM account, then tap Restore purchase, either on the hosting screen or in Settings. Hosting belongs to one SCRAM account at a time: restoring it while you’re signed in to a different account moves it there.

Refunds

Apple and Google handle payments and refunds. For the App Store, ask for a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com. For Google Play, follow Google’s refund steps.

Location and alerts

The map can’t find me

On iPhone, in Settings, go to SCRAM, then Location, and choose While Using the App (or Always) with Precise Location on. On Android, in Settings, go to Apps, then SCRAM, then Permissions, then Location, and choose Allow only while using the app with Use precise location on. SCRAM uses your location only while a round is running, including while your phone is locked, and stops when the round ends or you’re tagged or leave.

Alerts aren’t arriving

• Check that notifications are on for SCRAM in your phone’s Settings.
• Lock your phone or switch apps, but don’t swipe SCRAM closed during a round. A phone stops sharing its location when the app is swiped away.
• On iPhone, put your phone on silent so alerts buzz instead of ring and don’t give away where you’re hiding. On Android, SCRAM’s alerts only ever buzz.
• On Android, if alerts stop while your phone is locked, set SCRAM’s battery use to Unrestricted in Settings, under Apps, then SCRAM.

Your account

My sign-in code hasn’t arrived

Codes come from hello@scramhideandseek.com and usually take a few seconds. Check your junk or spam folder. You can ask for a new code after 30 seconds, up to 5 times an hour. Each code works for 10 minutes.

Changing your name or username

Open Settings from the gear on the home screen and tap your name or username. A new name shows from your next game.

Update emails

You only get them if you ticked the box. Turn them off in Settings at any time, or use the unsubscribe link in any update email.

Deleting your account

In Settings, tap Delete account. Your name, username, email and hosting record are deleted straight away. If you can’t open the app, ask us by email. The privacy policy has the details.

Playing safe and fair

Play somewhere safe, keep an eye on traffic, and stay off private property. Games are private: only people with the code can join, and everything in a game, Radio messages included, is deleted after 7 days. If someone in your game is behaving badly, leave the round and email us with the game code.