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, a shareable link, and a QR code. Send any one of them. Your friends tap the link (or type the code on the home screen) and they drop straight into your room. On a group video call, screen-sharing the QR code is the fastest way to get everyone in.

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. There is no app-store version to hunt for; 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, with a choice of three formats — the default 1v1 Duel boards, or a shared Quick (4×4) or Classic (5×5) board.

Can people watch without playing?

Yes — unlimited spectators can join any room with the same code, link, or QR and watch the round live. Spectators can fire off reactions while the players sweat, which makes Bomb It a great "everyone's on the call" game: two people play, the rest heckle.

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 on the Duel mode page and 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?

The round ends immediately — since it's 1v1, losing your last heart means your opponent is the one still standing. If nobody's been eliminated once the whole board is revealed, whoever has more hearts left wins instead.

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?

Almost none. There are no accounts and no game database — bomb positions, hearts, and turns live in server memory only while the room is open and are deleted when it closes. Your name and emoji stay on your own device. The full details are on the privacy page.

Is Bomb It okay for kids and classrooms?

The game itself is simple and non-violent (cartoon bombs, emoji, no chat with strangers — you only ever play with people you invite). It is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect their data. Teachers use it as a quick, no-login icebreaker; because rooms are invite-only, a class stays a class.

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

The host can kick a player from the lobby. Since rooms are only reachable by a code or link you chose to share, the simplest fix is to start a fresh room and re-invite only the people you want. 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.