Quick answers before you open a Round.

What is BarTag?

BarTag is a private, real-world social game for people 21 and older. You open a Round with a beverage, selected place, and Proof photo, then tag someone in. If they choose to join, they submit their own moment and can keep the Round going.

What is a Round?

A Round is the shared story. Opening one adds your first Proof photo. Players who post a Proof can tag more people into the same Round, and signed-in players can add more photos while it stays open. Closed Rounds include a Summary Card you can save and share.

What does it mean to tag someone in?

Tagging someone in means asking them to join the Round. They get a private link, see the Round, and decide whether to accept. A Tag is an invitation, not an obligation.

Do I need an account?

You can open a Round or join through a Tag as a guest. An account lets you add more Proofs to an open Round, revisit your Rounds from Dashboard, build your Badge collection, and reuse recent players, places, and beverages. Sign in with an email code, or a passkey if you have added one. Passkey setup is currently available to a small pilot group.

Does the person I tag need an account?

No. They can open the private link, join the Round, and submit their Proof as a guest.

Do I need someone’s phone or email to tag them?

Not to create the Tag. You can use just their name or nickname. You still need a way to send them the private link, such as text, email, or another messaging app. If you save their phone number or email in BarTag, we remember it for next time.

Do I have to accept a Tag?

No. You can pass on a Tag. Respect someone's choice to join or sit it out, and do not send repeated unwanted Tags.

Are Rounds public?

Rounds are private by default and accessible through their private links. They are not 100% confidential: a recipient can forward a link or take a screenshot. Public TagMap and Places pages may show venue names, map connections, dates, and aggregate activity from completed Rounds, but they do not list private Round photos, messages, beverage details, contact information, or participant identities.

What counts as a Proof photo?

A Proof photo captures your moment. It can show your beverage, your hand, your face, the place, or something else that makes the moment yours.

Do I have to drink alcohol?

Nope. Alcohol is optional. Beer, coffee, soda, mocktails, tea, water—whatever fits the moment belongs in BarTag. Nonalcoholic beverages count toward Badges too.

What happens after I post my Proof?

You can tag more people in, add another Proof if you are signed in, or let the Round close. Your friends can join from wherever they are; they do not need to visit the same place.

Can I tag someone back?

Someone already playing in the Round can add another Proof without a new Tag. Tag someone new into this Round, or open a new Round to tag a previous player again.

What happens if a Tag expires?

The Round can move on or close. No worries—life happens. An expired Tag is never a reason to pressure someone.

How many people can join a Round?

A Round can include several people and several pending Tags at once. Players who have posted a Proof can tag more people in; it does not have to move one person at a time.

How much time do I have?

A new Tag gives you 24 hours to accept. After accepting, you have at least another 24 hours to post your Proof. Your deadline is rounded up to 2:00 AM in your local time and is shown in the Round. Closed Rounds stay closed, but you can always open a new one.

What Badges can I earn?

Your first collection has six permanent Badges. Sign in and select your Coin at the far right of the header to open Achievements. Your Badges shows your earned artwork, progress, and next milestone.

• First Round: Submit your first Proof in any Round to begin your BarTag story.
• First Round Closed: Submit a Proof in a Round. Earn this Badge when that Round closes.
• Back for More: Submit Proofs on 3 different days. They don’t need to be consecutive.
• Making Memories: Build your story with Proofs on 10 different days.
• Explorer: Submit Proofs at 5 different Places selected with Place search.
• Local Regular: Return to one selected Place with Proofs on 5 different days.

How do days count toward Badges?

Day milestones use calendar dates in the local timezone saved when your collection starts. You can see that timezone on Profile; it stays the same when you travel or switch devices. Days don’t need to be consecutive, and missing a day never resets your progress. Extra Proofs on the same day don’t add more play days.

Why didn’t my location count toward a Place Badge?

Explorer and Local Regular need a selected Place. Choose one from Place search or your recent Places, or add a public Place through the location picker. Typing a location name alone doesn’t count. Revisiting one Place can build Local Regular progress; Explorer counts different Places.

Does my past play count toward Badges?

Yes. Past play still saved in BarTag and linked to your account counts, including guest Proofs once they are linked to your account. Your collection starts with one introduction to the Badges you’ve already earned. Earned Badges stay yours even if the original Round is later removed.

Can I share my Badges? What will other people see?

Yes. Choose Share Badge on an earned Badge to share its image and caption. Your Badge collection stays private; you choose which images to share. The image contains the Badge, its earning date, and BarTag branding. It leaves out your name, contact details, locations, private Proof photos, and Round history. Sharing a Badge does not give anyone access to your private Rounds.

Will I get Notifications when I earn a Badge?

BarTag celebrates new Badges in the app. Achievement push Notifications are off by default. Turn on Achievements in Profile under Edit preferences, and enable Notifications for BarTag on your device. Historical Badges never send achievement pushes, and enabling the setting does not replay old awards. BarTag does not send Badge emails.

How do I earn Player Coins?

Collect three Coins: Spark needs 3 Badges and 1 verified new player; Glow needs 6 Badges and 4 verified new players; Beacon needs 6 Badges and 10 verified new players. Counts are cumulative and both goals grow together. Activate the Coins in order on Achievements, with a separate celebration for each. Each Coin stays yours permanently. Coins are achievements, not spendable currency.

Which new players count toward my Coin?

Your Tag must lead to the newcomer’s first Proof, and they must have a verified account. Each newcomer account counts once, for the sender of that first Proof’s Tag. Guest play can count after it is securely connected to their account. Repeated Tags and existing players do not add credit. Saved historical introductions count when BarTag can verify that same chain. Achievements shows the count without exposing newcomer identities.

Can I share my Player Coin?

Yes. Each activated Coin has its own Share Coin action on Achievements to share its image and caption. Cards show that Coin and BarTag branding without private names, contacts, Proof photos, Round links, or recruitment details. Each activation has its own in-app celebration; it does not send a Coin email or push Notification.

Can I use BarTag while driving?

No. Never drink and drive, and never read, type, take a photo, choose a place, or otherwise use BarTag while driving. Pull over safely or wait until the trip is over.

Can I post another person’s image or location?

Only when you have the rights and permission reasonably needed. Respect people who do not want their image shared, and do not reveal someone’s sensitive or private location. Remember that private-link viewers can forward or capture what they see.

Can I play from anywhere?

Yes. Friends can join the same Round from different places and countries. Choose your place, snap a photo, and tag someone in. BarTag is for people 21 and older wherever they play.