You already know Curio is free and runs in the browser. The part that usually trips people up is the invite: what to send, which button to tap, and how to get the other person into the room without a ten-minute explanation. This guide covers how to invite someone to play Curio step by step — WhatsApp, SMS, copy link, room code, Quick vs Full Duo, and what to do when something fails.
If you only need the short version: create a Duo or Stranger room, tap WhatsApp or SMS in the lobby, send the message, wait for them to pick a name and hit ready, then start. Everything below is the longer, clearer playbook.
What your invite actually includes
When you create a room, Curio gives you two ways in:
- Invite link — a URL that drops them straight into your lobby.
- Room code — six letters they can type on the home page if the link is awkward to open.
Both point to the same private room. There is no public lobby list and no random join. Whoever has the link or code can enter until you start the session. After you play, the same link stays usable for rematches for about thirty days without anyone making an account.
Step 1: create the room first
Open curioroom.net and choose a mode before you message anyone:
- Duo — best for partners, siblings who know each other well, or close friends. On Duo you can pick Full / 12 rounds or Quick / 5 if you only have a few minutes.
- Stranger — lighter prompts for a new friend, a crush, or anyone you do not want deep questions with yet.
Tap Create Room. You land in the lobby as the host. Do not start yet — the invite tools live on this waiting screen.
Tip: If you are not sure how long they have, create Duo and pick Quick / 5. You can always rematch into a Full session later with the same link.
Step 2: send the invite the easy way
In the lobby you will see the invite box with the link, the room code, and channel buttons.
Tap WhatsApp. Your phone opens a share sheet with a short message plus the link already filled in. Pick the chat and send. They open the link in their browser — no App Store, no Curio account.
SMS
Tap SMS if they are not on WhatsApp or you want a normal text. Same idea: prefilled body, your number picker, send. Works well for parents, coworkers, or anyone who still lives in the Messages app.
Copy link or Share
Use Copy when you want to paste into Discord, Telegram, iMessage, Snapchat, email, or a group chat. Use Share if your phone offers the system share sheet and you prefer that flow.
Room code only
Sometimes links get mangled by corporate email filters or old phones. Tell them: go to curioroom.net, paste or type the six-letter code on the join field, and submit. The home page auto-submits once six characters are in, so they do not need a second tap.
What to write with the link
Keep the message short. Long explainers make people hesitate. Examples that work:
- "Open this and tap ready — two-minute browser game, no install."
- "Quick / 5 rounds if you're free. Link stays open until we start."
- "Code is ABCDEF if the link acts weird. Same room either way."
Skip walking them through every round type. The lobby screen already tells them to pick a name, choose an avatar, and hit ready.
Step 3: wait for them to join
When they open the link, they land in your lobby, pick a nickname and avatar, then tap I'm ready. You will see when both of you are ready. Only then should you hit Start.
Chat unlocks once both players are in the room. Until then, use WhatsApp or SMS for "did you get it?" if the link is slow to load.
Timing: The join link works until someone hits Start. After you finish a session, the same link stays active for rematches for the room retention window — roughly a month — so you do not need to create a fresh room every time.
Quick / 5 vs Full / 12 (Duo)
This choice happens when you create Duo, not after they join:
- Quick / 5 — short arc. Good for lunch breaks, "are you free right now," or testing whether they even like the game.
- Full / 12 — longer Duo playlist with more round variety. Better for a real date night or when you both have twenty-plus minutes.
If they join and seem rushed, finish Quick and vote for a rematch later. For a full first-time walkthrough of nicknames, rounds, and rematch, see how to play Curio with your partner. Mode differences are covered in the Stranger vs Duo guide.
Invite ideas by relationship
- Partner — Duo Full when you have time; Quick when one of you is half-asleep on the couch.
- Best friend — Duo or Stranger depending on how deep you want prompts. Drop the link in your DM instead of the group chat.
- Sibling — WhatsApp or SMS works; Competitive energy is fine. See games for siblings online.
- Someone new — Stranger mode first. Soften the ask: "two minutes, no account."
- Long distance — send the link, stay on FaceTime or WhatsApp video on a second screen while you each play on your own device.
If they cannot join
- Link opens blank — ask them to refresh once. Session tokens usually put them back in the same room.
- Wrong room or expired feel — confirm you have not already started without them. Create a new room and send a fresh WhatsApp if needed.
- Code fails — watch lookalikes: O vs 0, I vs 1, S vs 5. Have them paste the code instead of typing.
- They closed the tab — send the same link again. If the room is still waiting, it should reopen.
- You left by mistake — use the return banner or reopen your invite link with the token if your browser still has it.
Privacy and safety notes for invites
Curio rooms are invite-only. Do not post your live lobby link in a public Discord server or Instagram story unless you want strangers walking in. For couples and close friends, keep the link in a private chat. If you only wanted a one-off session with someone new, treat the link like a temporary door and do not leave it sitting in a group forever.
More context on modes and expectations sits on our how it works page and the WhatsApp games roundup if you want non-Curio backups in the same thread.
Common questions
Do they need an account?
No. Nickname and avatar in the lobby are enough.
Do they need the app?
No. Any modern mobile or desktop browser works.
Can I invite more than one person?
Each Curio room is built for two players. For a group, run separate rooms or pick a different game.
Can I change Quick to Full after they join?
Session length is chosen when you create Duo. If you picked wrong, finish or leave, create a new room with the other length, and send a new invite.
Does the invite expire if we never start?
The join link works until someone hits Start. Empty waiting rooms are cleaned up on a schedule, so if you abandon the lobby for a long time, create a fresh room rather than hunting an old code.
Is Curio free to invite people?
Yes. Creating rooms and sending invites does not cost anything.
A simple invite checklist
- Create Duo or Stranger on curioroom.net.
- Pick Quick / 5 or Full / 12 if you chose Duo.
- Tap WhatsApp, SMS, Copy, or Share.
- Send one short line plus the link or code.
- Wait for ready, then Start — do not start while they are still loading.
That is the whole invite loop. Once they are in, the rounds and chat take over. If you want free couple-friendly options beyond the invite itself, browse couple games online free after your first session.