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Cops and Robbers

Cops and Robbers,
here's how it plays

Draw your zone, track the footprints, scan to catch, and chat with your team. All in one app.

How to play cops and robbers

The same rules you grew up with. The app just runs the game.

  1. 1

    Split into teams

    Pick your cops and your robbers. A few extra robbers keep the chase alive.

    In the app Create a room and invite friends with a code.

  2. 2

    Set the zone

    Agree on the boundaries, and pick one spot to be the jail.

    In the app The host draws the zone and jail right on the map. Step outside and your screen locks.

  3. 3

    Robbers run first

    While the cops count down, the robbers scatter and hide.

    In the app The app counts down the head start for you.

  4. 4

    Chase and tag

    Cops hunt down robbers - one tag and you're caught.

    In the app A tag counts when a cop scans the robber's QR. Footprints appear on the map to guide the chase.

  5. 5

    Jail and jailbreak

    Caught robbers wait in jail. A teammate can sneak in and tag them free.

    In the app Jailbreaks work by QR too. Everyone can see the jail on the map.

  6. 6

    Win the game

    Cops win by catching every robber. If even one is still free when time runs out, the robbers take it.

    In the app The timer and arrest count update live.

01 / 06

Draw your zone on the map

9:41

The host drags on the map to draw a circular play area. Place the jail and start playing.

  • Freely draw a circular zone by dragging
  • Mark a jail area inside the zone
  • The screen locks if you leave the zone

02 / 06

Footprints drop on a timer

9:41

At the interval the host sets, each robber's location is revealed as a footprint. Keep moving before the next reveal, or you might get caught.

  • Location revealed on the host's interval
  • Old footprints stay until the next drop
  • Live countdown to the next reveal

03 / 06

Catch with a QR scan

9:41

The moment a cop scans a robber's QR, they're caught. It only counts face to face, so every match stays fair.

  • One scan and they're caught
  • Robbers show their own QR

04 / 06

Team-only chat

9:41

Cops with cops, robbers with robbers. Your strategy never leaks to the other side.

  • Separate channels for each team
  • A separate channel for all-player notices
  • Messages update instantly

05 / 06

Find neighbors to run with

9:41

Short on players? Recruiting posts from your area gather in one place - check the spot, the time, and the open slots, then jump in.

  • Place, time, and headcount at a glance
  • A status badge shows what's still open
  • Start recruiting with one tap

06 / 06

Plan the meetup in chat

9:41

Join a post and a chat room with that group is ready. No swapping contact info - just settle on when and where to meet.

  • You're in the chat as soon as you join
  • No contact info needed to make plans

Frequently asked questions

  • How many people can play?

    Up to 150. You split into a cops team and a robbers team.

  • How long is one game?

    30 minutes by default, and the host can make it shorter or longer.

  • How is a robber's location shown to the cops?

    At the interval the host sets, each robber's location shows up as a footprint on the cops' map.

  • How do cops catch a robber?

    Catch up to the robber, then scan the QR on their screen to make the arrest.

  • Is it over once you're in jail?

    No. Even in jail, a teammate can free you and you're back on the run.

  • Can only teammates chat with each other?

    Cops and robbers have separate chat rooms, so the other team can't see your messages.

  • Can iPhone and Android play together?

    Yes, everyone can play together regardless of device.

  • Is my location handled safely?

    Location is only collected while a game is running, and it stops as soon as the game ends.

  • Is it free?

    Yes, it's free to download and play.

See you at the park

No one to play with? Recruit them in the community.
All you need to bring is your phone.

Play a round before you install