Board Game Sidekick – Support

Getting started, FAQs, and help contacting the team

Getting Started

1) Build your library

  • Scan a shelf: Tap Scan, take a clear photo; recognized titles appear to add in one tap.
  • Import from BGG: Enter your BoardGameGeek username to pull your collection.
  • Manual add: Use the + button to add a game manually.

2) Ask rule questions

  • Many popular games will have the associated rulebook available to view in-app
  • Tap Ask and type a natural question: “How many cards in a 3‑player game?”
  • Answers come directly from the rulebook and include page references when possible.

3) Keep score

  • Tap Start Scoring, select players, and enter category totals.
  • Hide the grand total for each player to keep the suspense for the big reveal.
  • Save results to history and easily filter & search scores.

Tip: Check out the Tools section for some handy utilities to supercharge your game night.

FAQ

Do I need an account?

No account required. Your library and scores are stored on your device. Some online features (scanning and rulebook Q&A) require an internet connection.

Which data does the app send?

Only what’s needed for the feature you use: images you choose to scan and your typed questions. Requests are relayed through our secure proxy to process the answer. See our Privacy Policy for details.

My shelf scan missed some games — how can I improve results?
  • Use even lighting; avoid glare on glossy boxes.
  • Fill the frame with game spines; try a couple of photos for long shelves.
  • Retake with higher resolution if your camera supports it.
  • You can always add missing titles manually.
The rule answer looks incomplete or generic.
  • Make sure game has a rulebook linked that is accessible.
  • The first question will be slow until the rulebook is cached — subsequent questions will be faster.
Does it work offline?

Yes for your library, history, and scoring. Scanning and rulebook Q&A need internet access.

How do I remove or edit a game?

Open the game → tap the menu (⋯) → choose Edit or Remove. Removing a game won’t delete past score histories.

Troubleshooting

Answers take a long time to appear
  • The first question takes a bit longer as the rulebook PDF is uploaded; future questions should be quick.
  • Prefer smaller official PDFs (< 25 MB) when possible.
  • Check your connection; switching Wi‑Fi/5G often helps.
The app won’t recognize anything in my photo
  • Try a closer, sharper photo with box spines upright.
  • Avoid extreme angles; keep the shelf centered and steady.

Contact Us

Questions, suggestions, or bug reports? We’d love to hear from you.

📧 boardgamesidekickapp@gmail.com

Please include your device model, OS version, and steps to reproduce any issue along with screenshots.