Secret Santa Exchange
Help & Support
Plan a private gift exchange with friends, family, or colleagues. Secret Santa works across iPhone and the Web without requiring an account.
Getting started
Create a room
Choose Create Room, enter a room name and your name, then set the exchange date, gift rules, theme, and instructions. The Host participates by default, but can opt out before the drawing.
Join with a room code
Choose Join Room and enter the six-character Room Code and your name. Room Code and name identify the room and participant request, but they are not a substitute for an existing device credential.
Invite participants
From the Room Lobby, copy or share the room invitation. Participants should use the official Secret Santa app or Web page. Never include a device-link secret or Recovery Code in an ordinary invitation.
Rooms, drawing, and settings
Draw names and view a recipient
The Host starts the drawing when at least two eligible participants are present. The Backend performs the drawing securely. Each participant can reveal only their own assigned recipient; other assignments remain private.
Edit gift exchange settings
The Host can edit the room name, exchange date, budget, currency, theme, and instructions while the room permits settings changes. Host participation can be changed only before drawing. Changes never redraw names or alter existing assignments.
Personal Archive / Unarchive
Personal Archive only moves the room between your Active Rooms and Archived Rooms sections. It does not delete the room, change its status, remove your permissions, or hide future authoritative updates. Other participants have their own archive preference.
Host deletion and room access
Only the Host can delete a room. Host deletion removes access for everyone and cannot be undone in the app. This is different from Personal Archive, which affects only your own room list.
Access across devices
Device Linking between iPhone and Web
Use Link Another Device from an authenticated room to create a short-lived, one-time link. The receiving iPhone or browser gets an independent credential for the same participant; the source credential is never transferred.
Device-link URLs and fragments are security-sensitive. Do not post them publicly, place them in ordinary invitations, or share screenshots containing them. If a link expires or is used, generate a new one from an authenticated device.
Recovery Codes
A Recovery Code is issued per participant and room. Save the Room Code and Recovery Code together when they are shown. Recovery restores the existing participant identity, Host permissions, and drawing result; it does not create a new participant or redraw the room.
Recovery Details are security-sensitive. Do not share them with other participants or publish them. Clearing browser storage or deleting app data can remove local access; a saved Recovery Code or Device Link may restore it.
Privacy
Recipient assignments are private and controlled by the Backend. Browser credentials remain in room-scoped local storage, while iPhone credentials use the system Keychain. No account registration is required.
Read the Secret Santa Exchange Privacy Policy for details about room data, local credentials, and deletion.
Troubleshooting
The room code does not work
Check that all six characters are correct and that you are using the current production Secret Santa app or Web page. A deleted, unknown, or inaccessible room may not be discoverable.
I cannot see my recipient
The Host must complete the drawing first, and you must be an eligible participant. Reveal is participant-specific; ask the Host to confirm the drawing is complete without asking for another participant’s assignment.
I changed browser or lost app data
Use Device Linking from a device that still has access, or use the Room Code and Recovery Code. Confirm before replacing an existing identity. Never send a bearer credential to Support or another person.
The page or app cannot reach the service
Check your connection, update to the current app, and retry later. Do not repeatedly submit a drawing or recovery operation after an uncertain network response; use the same operation’s retry flow where available.
How do I remove a room?
Only the Host can permanently request room deletion through the supported room controls. Personal Archive is not deletion.
Contact Support
For help with Secret Santa Exchange, email littlelucktoday@protonmail.com.
Please do not publish Recovery Codes, device-link secrets, bearer credentials, participant names, or recipient assignments when contacting Support.