How to Play Rosemary

The short version

1. Join with the link or family code your host sends you. Just your name, no password, no app to download.
2. Add a memory. Tap Tell it out loud and talk for a minute or two about a moment you remember.
3. Play a match. Answer 5 questions about your family, then see who knew more.
4. Join the Table Round on the big day, at the table or from wherever you are.

Joining your family

Tap the invite link from your host, or open Rosemary and enter your 6-letter family code. Type your name, tick the box, and you're in. It takes under a minute.

Rosemary runs in your phone's web browser. Next time you open the link, you'll go straight back to your family. Want to use it on another device too? On the Me tab, tap Keep access on other devices and add your email.

Only people your host invites can see your family's memories.

Adding a memory

Every memory you add can become a question in the next game.

1. Tap Add memory, then Tell it out loud.
2. Talk for up to 3 minutes. Say what happened, who was there, where you were, and about when. Don't worry about getting it perfect.
3. Rosemary writes it up for you. Check the names, fix anything it got wrong, and add a photo if you have one.
4. Tap Save.

Prefer typing? Tap Type it instead.

Remember something about a memory someone else added? Open it and tap Add your piece. Your version sits right next to theirs.

Good memories to add: a funny mistake, a trip, a family saying, a recipe, a nickname, a holiday that went sideways. Name at least one person and a rough year.

Playing a match

A match is 5 questions about your family. Challenge one relative, a few, or everyone.

1. On the Play tab, tap New match and choose who to play.
2. Send the invite by text. Everyone plays on their own time, from anywhere.
3. Answer the 5 questions. There's no timer, and you can stop and pick up where you left off.
4. When everyone's done, the reveal opens: the scores first, then every answer with the photo or story behind it.

After the reveal, tap Rematch to play again. Rosemary uses questions you haven't seen when it can. Your family needs questions from five different memories before you can start.

If the game reminds you of a story that isn't in Rosemary yet, add it right then. It might be a question next time.

The Table Round

The Table Round is the big one: the whole family plays together at a holiday or gathering, including anyone who can't be there in person.

1. Your host starts the Table Round and shares the family code.
2. Join on your own phone, whether you're at the table or across the country.
3. Your host shows each question. Everyone answers on their phone.
4. When your host taps Reveal, the answers and the memory behind them appear on everyone's screen at the same moment. This is when the stories start.
5. After the last question, your host taps Final results. Everyone's phone shows the scoreboard, ranked by points, and the top scorer is named the winner. If two or more people tie, they share the win.

If your host mirrors their phone to the TV, the whole room can see the reveals. Use your usual family video call to talk with relatives who are playing from afar. Rosemary keeps the questions and reveals in sync.

After the round, Rosemary asks: "What story came up that isn't in the book yet?" If the room's too loud to record, tap Remind me later.

That's not how I remember it

Every family remembers things differently. When an answer doesn't match what you remember, tap That's not how I remember it on that question.

1. Tell or type your version, and suggest a different answer if you have one.
2. Your version is saved right alongside the original. Nothing gets erased.
3. Your host decides how the question counts from now on: accept your correction, keep the original answer, or mark it as disputed and keep both.

If the answer changes or is marked disputed, everyone in that match gets the point. Sometimes the best part of a game is finally hearing Uncle Joe's side of the story.

Ask for their side of the story

Some memories are missing a piece only one person knows. Send a Memory Challenge.

1. Open a memory (or a question in a reveal) and tap Send a Memory Challenge.
2. Pick a relative and write your question, like "What happened right after this photo?"
3. Send the link by text. They can see the shared photo, the memory's title, and your question, then reply by talking or typing. Your host can send a separate invitation if they'd like to join the family archive.
4. Their answer joins the memory and can become a question in your next game.

You'll see your challenges, and any replies, on the Challenges tab.

Scoring

That's it. The real prize is the stories.

Questions and help

Where do the questions come from?

From the memories your family adds. Rosemary drafts them, and your host approves every one before it can appear in a game.

What if a question is wrong or uncomfortable?

Tap That's not how I remember it, or let your host know. Hosts can skip any question.

I'm not good with apps.

You only need the link and your name. You can talk instead of type, or ask someone to record your story with you.

Can I play if I live far away?

Yes. Play matches anytime, and join the Table Round live from your own phone.

Who can see my memories?

Only the people your host invites. Your host can download your family's archive or permanently delete it at any time.

Something isn't working.

Ask your host, or email heidi@audria.io. A real person answers.