Bomb It — Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started

Do I need an account or a download?

No. There is nothing to install and no sign-up. Open the link, pick a name and an emoji, and you are in. That is the whole point of Bomb It — it should take less time to start a game than to explain one.

How do I invite friends?

Start a room and you get a 6-letter room code and a shareable link. Send either one. Friends tap the link or type the code on the home screen and drop straight into your room.

Which devices and browsers work?

Any modern browser on phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge. Bomb It is built mobile-first, and tapping cells genuinely feels best on a touchscreen. You don't need to hunt for an app-store download — the website is the game.

Is it really free?

Yes. Every mode is free, with no paywalls and no "premium board" locked behind a purchase. Bomb It is supported by ads, which is why you will see the occasional banner — never in the middle of a live board, and never between you and your next tap.

Players and rooms

How many people can play?

2 players per room. Choose the default 1v1 Duel, shared Quick (4×4), or shared Classic (5×5). Everyone else can watch as a spectator.

Can people watch without playing?

Yes — spectators can join with the same code or invite link and watch the round live. Spectators can fire off reactions while the players sweat, which makes Bomb It fun for everyone on a call.

What's the difference between Duel, Quick, and Classic?

They are the three formats a room can choose. Duel (the default) is the viral 1v1 format: two private 3×3 boards, you hide 3 bombs on your opponent's board, and you take turns hunting theirs. Quick is a shared 4×4 with 4 bombs each; Classic is a shared 5×5 with 5 bombs each. There is a full breakdown in the how-to-play guide.

Can I play solo?

Yes — try the Daily Bomb, a single-player challenge with one fresh board every day. It is a quick way to get your bomb-hunting fix (and keep a streak going) when your friends are offline.

During a game

What happens if my connection drops?

Rejoin with the same room code or link and you will be reconnected to the round in progress. Your hearts and your hidden bombs are kept safe on the server for a short grace period, so a flaky tunnel or a locked phone screen will not knock you out of the game.

How long is a turn?

15 seconds. It keeps rounds snappy and stops anyone from stalling while they overthink the grid. Let the clock run out and you pick up a strike — repeat offenders get penalized, so commit to a cell and tap.

Why would I ever tap my own bomb?

Because tapping your own bomb is always safe — it publicly defuses it. That buys you a guaranteed no-damage turn while everyone else gambles, and it feeds opponents misleading information about where the rest of your bombs are. It is a real strategic move, not a mistake. The strategy guide covers when it is worth it.

What happens when someone loses all 3 hearts?

You are eliminated. In a two-player duel, the opponent wins immediately; in a group game, play continues until one player remains. If the board is fully revealed first, whoever has the most hearts wins.

Privacy, safety, and fair play

Can spectators see the hidden bombs?

No. Hidden bomb positions are never sent to spectators (or to other players), so nobody watching can leak where your bombs are by peeking at the game data. The only bombs anyone sees are the ones that have already exploded or been defused.

What data do you collect?

There are no accounts and no game database. Your name and emoji are saved on your device and sent to our server while you play; bomb positions, hearts, and turns live in server memory only while the room is open. Ads and network connections also process data as described on the privacy page.

Is Bomb It okay for kids and classrooms?

The Android app is for ages 13 and up. It asks for a date of birth before play, uses generated names for minors, and limits their ads to general-audience content. Play with Friends uses a room code; Play Random pairs you with another player. There is no freeform chat, only preset emoji reactions. See our privacy policy for the data used during play.

Someone is being disruptive in my room. What can I do?

The host can kick a player from the lobby. In a friends room, you can also start a fresh room and share its new code only with people you want to invite. Play Random pairs you with another player. If you run into abuse, the contact page will reach us.

Still have a question?

We read every message. Send it via the contact page and we will usually reply within a few days. Then go hide some bombs.