Create and join a game
Update Secret Subject on both devices, connect them to the same Wi-Fi network and allow Local Network access. On the first device, choose Create a game and enter your name. The lobby opens with All categories selected. The Host can keep the selection or tap the category card to change it. The Host’s chosen name identifies the game in the nearby list.
On the second device, choose “Join a game”, enter your player name and select the Host from the nearby-game list. Both screens display a comparison code. Check that all eight digits match; the joining player confirms the match and the Host accepts the request. The code is displayed for comparison and is not entered or pasted. If the codes differ, cancel the request. Only after both approvals can the Host start the round and play.
The Host’s chosen name is visible to devices browsing Secret Subject games on the same local network. Use a nickname you are comfortable showing there. The top-left gear opens “Settings and support”: Preferences, with Appearance before Language, followed by email, privacy, terms, app version and publisher. The top-right ? opens “How to play”.
Check your devices and app versions
Use two iPhones or iPads running iOS/iPadOS 26.6 or later, with the same updated app build. Both need access to the same Wi-Fi network and Local Network permission for Secret Subject. Older builds cannot join the nearby-game flow.
If an incompatibility message appears, update the app on both and try again. The game uses portrait orientation on both iPhone and iPad.
If the devices do not connect
Keep the updated app open on both devices, confirm they use the same Wi-Fi network and check that Local Network access is allowed in the app’s system Settings. The Host must create a game before it appears in the list. Retry discovery if needed, select the intended Host and compare the code on both screens. Cancel if it differs; an expired or declined request needs a new selection and approval.
Some guest, public or managed networks isolate connected devices or block local discovery. Being on the same network name is not enough in that case. Try a trusted Wi-Fi network that allows devices to communicate, or ask its administrator. The app cannot change these network restrictions or system permissions for you.
If the connection takes too long
“Connection is taking too long” or “Host not responding” means the connection attempt did not complete. Keep the app open on the Host’s device and tap “Try again”.
“Close” returns home. If you are hosting, keep the game open until the other player joins.
Reconnect or start again
If the app offers “Try again”, use it: reconnection requires that action and recovery is not guaranteed.
If the Host ended the game or the app process terminated, start a new session, select the Host again and approve the new connection on both devices. If the issue persists, you can close and reopen the app, but doing so loses the session held in memory.
Scores, options and the next round
When either player taps “Show choices”, the first request accepted by the Host opens both lists and starts one shared 30-second window. Each list has up to ten choices from the same category.
Each player confirms one answer. Each player’s first valid accepted answer is final, whether right or wrong. The round ends after both answers are accepted or after the window expires. One answer submitted in time leaves the round waiting without revealing whether it is correct.
Exactly one correct answer gives that player one point. If both answers are correct, it is a draw and you each get one point. If no answer is correct, including when answers are missing, it is a draw without points.
The Host measures the 30 seconds and when answers arrive. An answer received exactly at the deadline is accepted; one received afterward is excluded from the result. Missing answers appear as “No answer” in Results. Trying again, backgrounding or reconnection do not pause or restart the window, and connection delays can affect whether an answer arrives in time.
After the round, both confirm “Next round” to continue.
The next theme and leaving the game
In Results, the Host can tap the next-round theme row to choose another theme. The Guest can see it but cannot change it. Scores and each theme’s history remain, and both players confirm Next round again.
The top-right X opens confirmation: End game for the Host or Leave game for the Guest. Cancelling keeps the game; confirming ends the session for both players without awarding another point. For a fresh game, return to Home and create another session with scores starting at zero.
Secret Subject +: purchase, restore and cancellation
Animals, Food, Money and Objects and transport are free, with all 11 included themes and 439 identities. Money contains 100 euro amounts. Secret Subject + unlocks the bundled catalog of 13 categories, 30 themes and 948 identities, plus creating and playing custom themes. Only the Host needs a subscription; the Guest does not need a second one. A Guest’s subscription does not unlock content for a Host without Plus.
The weekly plan is RON 9.99 per week; the yearly plan is RON 99.99 per year, billed upfront. Both have the same benefits and renew automatically until cancelled. Check the final price shown by Apple before confirming. The subscription is separate from Bluff Artist + and Impostor +.
In Romania, the weekly plan may include 3 free days only when Apple confirms eligibility and displays the offer; the yearly plan has no free trial. After the trial, Apple’s displayed weekly price applies. To avoid the first paid renewal, cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends.
Open Secret Subject + in the app for Restore purchases or Manage subscription. Apple uses the account that made the purchase. Cancelling renewal retains access for the paid period. A pending purchase does not unlock content until verified; free play remains available.
If Host access expires during a round, that round can finish normally. For the next round, the Host can reactivate Plus or select a free theme between rounds while retaining scores and history. Local play needs no Internet; Apple purchase or restore services may need a connection.
When the app starts without active Plus, close the benefits and weekly offer with the top-right X to reach Home. The Secret Subject + card reopens plans, restore or subscription management.
Your themes under My themes
From the lobby, the Host opens the category card, then My categories and Create a theme. Enter a title of up to 30 characters. Add each name of up to 15 characters with + or Enter; you can remove an entry from the list. After adding every name, tap Save theme. A theme contains 5–50 distinct names. Differences in case or accents do not make two names different. Add or clear any pending field text before saving.
Save up to 10 themes on your device. The Host selects a theme from the lobby before the first round, or by tapping the next-round theme row in Results. Both devices must use the same updated app version and normal connection approval. The Guest receives the title and only the information needed for their screen over the encrypted connection, without a saved copy of the Host’s library.
Creating and starting a custom round requires Plus on the Host’s device. A started round can finish if access expires; the next round checks access again. You can still view, edit or delete saved themes after expiry. Deletion requires confirmation and removes the theme from the app’s library.
Themes do not sync across devices and are not sent to the publisher. If saving fails, the saved list stays intact. Retry in the app; for support, describe the problem without sending the personal names in your list.
Previously saved lists stay intact and playable. To save them again, explicitly shorten or remove names longer than 15 characters; the app never truncates them automatically. Previously saved titles of up to 60 characters remain playable; shorten the title to at most 30 characters before saving a new revision.
Bundled themes have ten choices. A custom theme provides up to ten, excluding the opponent’s already visible identity: five names give four choices.
Still need help?
For technical help, describe what happened and how to reproduce it. Find the app version under “Settings and support” on the Home screen. Include your device model and iOS/iPadOS version too. You can also use this address for requests about your personal data.
support@