FAQ

The basics

What is Cackle?

Cackle is a free party game you play in a web browser. One TV or laptop shows the game, and everyone plays on their own phone by scanning a QR code. The room votes, guesses and judges, so the room decides.

Is Cackle free?

Yes. Hosting a room is free, and players never pay, download anything or make an account.

Do players need to download an app?

No. Players scan the QR code on the TV and play in their phone’s web browser. There is nothing to install and no sign-up.

Do I need an account?

No. Nobody makes an account, including the host. Players just type a display name when they join.

How many people can play?

3 to 12 players can join one room. Who Wrote It? needs at least 4.

How long does a game take?

Most games take 10 to 30 minutes. Pick a Side runs 8 to 15, Comeback and Rough Draft 10 to 20, and The Lineup and Chaos Deck 15 to 30. Party Mix runs about 20, 45 or 60 minutes, depending on the length you pick.

Can I try it alone first?

Yes. Tap “Try the demo room” on cackleparty.com and bots join so you can see how a game plays on one device.

TV, phones and setup

How do I put Cackle on my TV?

Plug a laptop into the TV with HDMI and open cackleparty.com, or open cackleparty.com/tv in your smart TV’s or Xbox’s web browser. You can also mirror a laptop, phone or tablet with AirPlay or Chromecast.

Can I play without a TV?

Yes. Any screen everyone can see works, including a laptop on a table. The big screen shows the game; the phones do the playing.

Does it work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. Cackle runs in the web browser, so it works on iPhone and Android phones. Players scan the QR code with their camera, or go to cackleparty.com/join and type the 4-letter room code.

Does everyone need to be on the same Wi-Fi?

No. Phones connect over the internet with the room code, so Wi-Fi or mobile data both work.

Is there a Chromecast or Fire TV app?

Not yet. A Cast button and a Fire TV and Android TV app are coming soon. Today you can mirror to a Chromecast or AirPlay TV, or open cackleparty.com/tv in the TV’s browser.

Can we play over a video call?

Cackle is built for friends in the same room, but it can work over a call: the host shares the game screen, and everyone joins on their phone with the room code. Games where you need to see each other, like Hot Seat and Chaos Deck dares, play best in person.

What if my phone disconnects?

Open the same link again and you get your seat back. Your phone keeps an anonymous ID, so you rejoin the same room with your score.

Can the host play too?

Yes. The TV hosts the room, and the person running it can scan the QR code with their own phone and play like everyone else.

The games

What games are included?

Six: The Lineup (Most Likely To, Guilty or Not, Hot Take, Who Wrote It? and Hot Seat), Comeback, Rough Draft, Pick a Side, Chaos Deck, and Party Mix, which rotates through the others.

What are the vibes?

Every room picks a vibe. Chill is easy and friendly, Party is the default, and Unhinged has cheekier prompts. Nothing is explicit in any vibe.

What happens when you lose a round?

You lose points and get a WOMP stamp on the TV. That is it: points are the only stakes, and nobody has to do anything they do not want to.

Safety and privacy

Is Cackle safe for teens?

Cackle is made for ages 13 and up, and nothing in it is explicit. A filter blocks slurs, explicit content and personal info in anything players type, players can report answers, and the host can remove anyone.

Is my data stored?

Barely. There are no accounts, and a room deletes itself, along with everything typed or drawn in it, about 5 hours after the last activity. Cackle does not sell data or run ads, and privacy requests go to contact@cackleparty.com.

How do I report a problem or contact Cackle?

Tell the host, who can remove a player, or use the report button on an answer. For anything else, email support@cackleparty.com.