Help and questions
Need a person?
- Email hello@theplayercode.com. A real person reads every message. We reply within five working days, usually much sooner.
- In the iPhone app: You > Help & Support > Contact us adds your app version and device for us.
- Reporting something harmful? Use the report button, or see our community guidelines.
Your account
Do I need an account?
No. The news, reviews, release countdowns and game pages are free to read without one. An account saves your quests, XP, streak, saved games and release alerts, and keeps them in step between the website and the app.
How old do I need to be?
13 or over to make an account. Comments, profiles, friends and leaderboards are only for players 18 and over.
How do I sign up or log in?
Use your email and a password, or Sign in with Apple or Google, on the website's log in page or in the app. Signing in with Apple or Google makes an account for you the first time.
I've forgotten my password.
On the log in page, choose Forgot your password? and we'll email you a link to pick a new one. If you signed up with Apple or Google, sign in that way instead: there's no password to reset.
Can I change my username?
Yes, in your account settings on the website or in the app (You > Account). Usernames must follow our community rules.
How do I delete my account?
In the app: You > Account > Delete account. On the website: your account settings. Your account and progress are removed straight away and can't be brought back. If you have a paid membership, cancel it first in the App Store or on Patreon: deleting your account doesn't stop the billing.
Memberships
What do I get with a membership?
Reading stays free for everyone. Player One, Co-Op and Final Boss unlock the community and more: comments, XP leaderboards with friends, featured articles in full, unlimited saves and extra avatars. See every perk on the memberships page.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Every paid plan starts with 7 days free. Cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends and you won't be charged.
How do I join?
In the iPhone app: You > Membership, paid through your Apple account, monthly or yearly (yearly saves up to 25%). On the website: join on our Patreon page, monthly, then link Patreon to your account.
Does my membership work on the website and in the app?
Yes. However you join, your membership is on your account, so it works everywhere you're signed in.
How do I cancel?
If you joined in the app: on your iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions, and choose The Player Code. If you joined on Patreon: cancel on Patreon. Either way you keep your perks until the end of the period you've paid for.
I paid but my membership isn't showing.
In the app, go to You > Membership and tap Restore purchases, signed in to the same account you used. For Patreon, make sure you've linked Patreon. Still stuck? Email us with the email address on your account.
How do refunds work?
App Store purchases are refunded by Apple: ask at reportaproblem.apple.com. For Patreon, contact Patreon or email us and we'll help.
What is the Founding badge?
Anyone whose membership starts by the end of 30 November 2026 keeps a gold Founding star on their profile for good, even if they cancel later. A free trial counts.
Quests and XP
How do quests work?
Each day you get a set of quests built around things you do anyway: walking, reading, taking a break, a trivia question. Finish them for XP, level up, and keep a streak going. Daily quests reset at midnight; the weekly runs Monday to Sunday.
Why isn't my step quest counting?
Step, distance and wheelchair quests read from Apple Health, so they need an iPhone and your permission. Check Settings > Privacy & Security > Health > The Player Code, and make sure Steps (and the others you want) are switched on. You can also swap a quest you can't do.
What happens if I miss a day?
You get one day off a week that keeps your streak safe. Miss more than that and your streak starts again, but your XP and level stay.
Does the app track my location?
Only if you choose a quest that needs it, like a distance-from-home quest. Your home point stays on your phone, and we only ever use distances rounded to 100 metres. You can switch location off at any time in your iPhone's settings.
Community
Why can't I see comments or leaderboards?
They're for players 18 and over. Add your birthday once in your account settings (it can't be changed afterwards, and it's never shown to anyone). On iPhones with iOS 26 or later, Apple's age range is checked too. Leaderboards also open from level 5.
I entered the wrong birthday.
Email privacy@theplayercode.com from the address on your account and we'll sort it out.
How do I report or block someone?
Use the report button on a comment or profile picture, or block someone from their profile. You won't see each other's comments or profiles, and they can't send you friend requests. Our community guidelines explain what happens next.
Can I hide from the leaderboards?
Yes. Switch it on in your account settings and you won't be listed, though you can still see the boards.
News and reviews
What do the review verdicts mean?
Every review ends with one verdict. Play it: worth your time and money now. Wait: good, but hold on for a patch or a sale. Skip: not worth it. Read how we review.
Are you paid by publishers?
No publisher pays for a review or a verdict. Sponsored quests and anything else paid for are always labelled. Our editorial standards and advertising policy have the details.
Something in a story is wrong.
Tell us at hello@theplayercode.com with a link to the story. We correct mistakes quickly and say what we changed.
How do release reminders work?
Follow a game and, if you allow notifications, the app reminds you before it launches. Turn reminders off any time in the app or in your iPhone's settings.
Privacy and safety
What do you do with my data?
We keep what we need to run your account, quests and membership, and we never sell it or show you targeted ads. Our privacy policy lists everything, including how to get a copy of your data.
How do you keep younger players safe?
Under 13s can't make an account, and under 18s never see comments, other players' profiles, friends or leaderboards. There are no messages between players. More in our community guidelines.
Contact us
Email hello@theplayercode.com for anything at all, or privacy@theplayercode.com for data and privacy requests. Not happy with how we've handled something? Use our complaints procedure.