Wi-Fi vs PIN: how players connect

Guides

Wi-Fi vs PIN: how players connect

QuizBrothers has two ways for teams to join the game. Both use the same mobile app; the only difference is how their phones talk to your computer.

Local Wi-Fi

Here the computer and the phones are on the same local network. You have two options:

  • Any network of your own (any name): You can use a network with any name. Teams do have to type that name once in the app settings. After the first round it stays saved on their phones.
  • A network named QuizBrothers (what we recommend): This is how we run our own quizzes. You create a local network and name it exactly QuizBrothers. The app recognises it automatically and the phones join on their own.
    • Why this is great: You get a stable network reserved for the quiz, with no other traffic in the way. If you also leave that network without internet, players are less tempted to cheat (though no internet is not a hard requirement).
    • How to do it: A simple mesh system (or a regular router) for a few euros, set the network name to QuizBrothers, and you are covered. If you need a hand, write to us and we will help.

Online PIN

For guests this is much simpler to set up. Start an online quiz in the program, a generated PIN appears on the big screen, players enter it and they are in. You do not have to run a local network for the phones at all.

  • Host stability (this is the key): Even with PIN we strongly recommend putting your quizmaster laptop on the internet via an Ethernet cable. The laptop is still the quiz server and all traffic goes through your connection — if yours drops, the game drops for everyone. So it has to be as stable as you can make it.
  • What players need: For this to run cleanly, the venue needs a decent mobile signal. If the signal is weak, players may drop out during the game.

Summary: which should you pick?

  • Want professional stability and to make cheating harder? Get your own router or mesh, create a QuizBrothers network (ideally without internet) and play on local Wi-Fi. Put your PC on a cable to the router.
  • Don’t want to deal with your own routers, and the venue has great signal? Choose PIN. Still put the host PC on a cable, and make sure players’ data is not dropping.
  • First time? Test your chosen method at home on two phones. Demo mode lets you try everything for free, without spending credits.

The exact connection steps are in the Documentation. How to run the whole night: how to host a pub quiz. Kit list: what you need for quiz night.