Side Quests

Side Quests are small real-world things to do together, picked from what you two actually talk about in Bonded. Do one right now, or match on one and pick a day. Afterwards, say how it was and talk about it. A quest you finish together counts toward your bond, just like a ritual.

Side Quests are rolling out gradually. If you don't see a Quests tab yet, update the app.

Your quest map

Open the Quests tab. Each friend you do quests with has their own trail. Done quests turn pale blue with a tick, the next one is green, and the deeper Open Up quests unlock as you go: after a few quests together, once you have both switched them on.

The first time you open Quests, Bonded asks one question: what's your kind of fun? Pick two. It shapes which quests you see.

Right now

Together already? Tap Quest right now. You both see the same quest on your phones. Tap We're in to start, or Show another (up to three). Right now quests are short, at home or anywhere, and always free.

Matching on a quest

Tap Plan one: swipe a round and go through eight quests: right (or ✓) for yes, left (or ✕) for not now, and the star once per round for "I really want this one". Only quests you both said yes to show up. Nobody ever sees the other person's "no", and nothing tells them when you looked.

Picking a day

Suggest up to three times. The other person picks one or suggests others. Add to calendar opens a calendar file, and Remind us reminds you both the evening before and two hours before.

Doing it

Each quest is two or three short steps, one per screen, with an optional timer and Why this works (the research behind it). When you're done, tap We did it. One phone is enough.

Afterwards

Each of you picks how it was. You see each other's answer only once you have both answered. Then Talk about it? starts a ritual while it's fresh.

Your bond and keepsakes

A finished quest grows your bond like a ritual: it adds to your level, keeps your weeks in a row going, and can find you a keepsake. The same two-a-day limit applies to rituals and quests together. Your profile counts your quests, with an Explorer trophy.

Inviting someone

Send a quest to a friend on Bonded, or to someone new: type their name, pick a tone, and Bonded writes the message. You can suggest up to three times. Someone new can be anyone: you share a link, and they need no app. For someone new you can also pick Just a date, a plain coffee, drink, dinner or walk instead of a quest. They open your invite like a letter and answer in their browser: I'm in, Pick a different one, or Not this time. Saying yes needs their email, which they confirm with a link; we send them the plan and one reminder, and erase the address within 30 days of the invite ending. You hear back either way. Links last 14 days.

If they get the app later, they can open the same link or type the code that starts with Q under Start → Have a code?. The quest, and the time they picked, appear on your shared map, and you become friends.

Group quests

For 3 to 8 people. Start one from the Quests tab and share the code (it starts with G), the QR code or the link; people can join in the app or in their browser. Everyone votes yes or no, and the quest with the most yeses wins. Only the counts show, never who voted what. When you've done it, the host taps We did it: it counts on the profile of everyone with an account, and each of them can find a keepsake. Group quests do not grow bonds.

After a ritual

When a ritual ends, the capsule may suggest a quest from what lit up most: Do it now, or Add to our map. If your partner played in a browser, you can send it to them as an invite.

Your settings with each person

After your first quest you can set what you two are, how often you'd like a nudge, your budget, your energy and what you're into. Every step is optional. Your answers are private: only the combined result shows, and if you two differ, the more careful answer wins (the lower budget, the slower rhythm). Nobody is told whose it was.

Free and Premium

Free accounts get 3 Side Quest requests a month: sending an invite, dealing a round, or starting a group each use one. Right now quests and everything after a match are always free. Premium makes requests unlimited.

Side Quests troubleshooting

• I can't see the Quests tab. Update the app. Side Quests are rolling out gradually.
• A friend isn't in my list. Their app can't do Side Quests yet. Send them a link instead; it works in a browser.
• The other person didn't get my invite. Check the link was sent. Links end after 14 days, and a block cancels them.
• "You've used this month's 3 requests." Right now quests are still free, or go Premium.