Help with the game

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 Creează un joc and enter your name. The lobby opens with Toate categoriile (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 “Intră în joc”, 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. On Home, the top-right ? opens “Cum se joacă” (How to play), and the top-left ⓘ opens “Despre și asistență” (About and support), with the app version and contact options.

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.

Install the same app version on both devices. If an incompatibility message appears, update the app on both and try again. iPhone gameplay uses portrait; iPad supports portrait and landscape.

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

“Conexiunea durează prea mult” (The connection is taking too long) or “Gazda nu răspunde” (The Host is not responding) means the connection attempt did not complete. Keep the app open on the Host’s device and tap “Reîncearcă” (Retry).

“Închide” (Close) returns home. If you are hosting, keep the game open until the other player joins.

Reconnect or start again

If the app offers “Reîncearcă” (Retry), 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 “Arată variantele” (Show options), both lists open, each with up to ten choices from the same theme. Each player confirms one answer. A wrong answer loses the round immediately and gives the other player one point.

The first correct answer opens 500 ms for a draw. If the second correct answer reaches the Host by the deadline, including the boundary, you each get one point; otherwise, the first player wins one point. The Host measures time as answers arrive, so connection delays can affect the result.

After the round, both confirm “Runda următoare” (Next round) to continue.

Change themes or reset the game

On the results screen, only the Host can choose “Schimbă tema” (Change theme). Scores and each theme’s history remain, and both players confirm readiness again.

After confirmation, “Joc nou” (New game) ends the session and resets scores and history. Voluntarily leaving or the Host ending the session awards no additional point.

Secret Subject +: purchase, restore and cancellation

Animals, Food and Objects and transport are free, with all 10 included themes and 339 identities. Secret Subject + unlocks the bundled catalog of 11 categories and 26 themes, 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 +.

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, the benefits have a top-right X and “Continuă gratuit” (Continue free). Either action reaches Home. The Secret Subject + card reopens benefits and subscription options; it shows checking or active Plus when applicable. The top-left ⓘ opens “Despre și asistență” (About and support), and the top-right ? opens the rules.

Your themes under Temele mele

From the lobby, the Host opens the category card, then Categoriile mele (My categories) and Creează o temă (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 Salvează tema (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 with Schimbă tema (Change theme) between rounds. 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.