Help

Basic Troubleshooting

What is MindSnacks?

It's a game for your brain! MindSnacks is a full-featured learning coach for studying languages, test prep, and more. Voted one of the Best Education Apps of the Year by Apple (Rewind 2011), MindSnacks teaches you the skills you need (without subjecting you to boring flashcards).

Who is MindSnacks for?

Everyone! MindSnacks is for lifelong learners, travelers, students and anyone looking for a well-rounded learning experience that goes far beyond basic vocabulary flashcards. Our language apps are best suited for beginner to intermediate language speakers, while our SAT Vocab app will prepare test-takers of the SAT, PSAT, or GRE exams.

What's in the full version of MindSnacks?

All the goodies! When you upgrade to the full version, you'll learn 1000+ words and phrases (or over 500 words in our SAT Vocab app), plus gain access to up to 9 unique mini-games, nearly 100 beautiful new quests to keep you motivated, and 50 levels to master and earn more XP. You'll have 4 strategic starting lessons to begin your learning journey, and new lessons and quests will appear as you continue to play the app.

What is XP and how do I earn it?

XP (eXperience Points) is our new game currency. You earn XP by playing the games to master words, build skills, and complete quests. XP will be calculated after each game and/or quest and will be added to your overall total to get you closer to the next level!

How do I unlock games?

Games are now unlocked by completing the necessary number of levels. Tap on any locked game to see how many levels you have left to unlock it!

What are quests?

Quests are the new Challenges! We've packed this new app version with plenty of special (and surprising!) quests that will hone your conversation, grammar, and sentence construction skills.

How do I master a word or phrase?

Each item in your lesson can be mastered by answering questions correctly within the mini games. A mastered item is signified by a blue star.

Can I play with previously mastered words or lessons?

You asked for it, so we built it: our new review mode lets you practice all of the content you've mastered so far, or work on individual lessons you've already completed. To review all of the words that you've already mastered, go to the Mastered tab of the Lessons screen, tap Review, and select a game. To review a single lesson, go to the Mastered tab and tap the Filter icon > Select a lesson > and tap Review to pick your game and have fun!

I've leveled up, but I still see my previous lesson. Is that supposed to happen?

Great question! We've separated lessons and levels so that you can make game progress in the app using vocabulary from different lessons. Earning XP advances you in levels; mastering all the words in a lesson will allow you to access the next lesson's vocabulary.

I was on a different lesson before the update. How do I get back to it?

Not to worry! You can reset your progress by tapping Settings > Reset progress. In "Mastered Lessons", tap on all the lessons you've already mastered. Tap "Active Lesson" to set your app to the lesson you were on before the update. Don't forget to tap "Save" at the end!

I'm getting an error, "All lessons must be downloaded before you can reset progress".

Fear not! The app needs to download your lesson content in order for a progress reset to work. Please leave the app open for a minute or two while connected to a strong WIFI network and try again.

I seem to have lost my mastered words and lessons. How do I get them back?

They're not lost! They just need to download still. Simply open the app and leave it open for a minute or 2 while connected to a strong WIFI network to allow it to download the rest of your data.

I've mastered all my words, but my lesson won't advance and I can't get to the next level or earn more XP.

Oh no! You can manually advance your lesson by tapping the filter icon in the upper-right corner of the Current Lesson tab, then select a new lesson. For SAT Vocab, you can change your lesson by going to Settings > Reset progress > Active Lesson > select a new lesson > Save (important!).

Do you have audio clips of pronunciations?

We do! Tap any row in the Current Lesson, Mastered Lessons, or game over screens to hear that word's pronunciation.

I can't hear any of the pronunciations, but my volume is up. What gives?

Check that the mute button on the side of your device is turned off. If you see orange, that means the device is muted and needs to be switched off. On iPads, be sure to check that side switch is set to control Mute and not Screen Lock. You can check in your iPad's Settings > Use Side Switch to: > and make sure that Mute is checked.

Which Apple devices are supported?

Our apps support all iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices running iOS 5.0 or later. The Japanese app requires iOS 6.0 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

Do you plan to release an Android version?

Yes. We hope to soon. We're hiring for a developer if you know someone awesome. Sign up to receive the latest news of its development here.

How do I reset my password?

You can reset your password by going here. If you created your account via Facebook, you will not be able to reset your password as we don't have it on file. Please login with the Facebook button rather than resetting your password.

I tried logging in or signing up for a new account, but I keep getting an "Unexpected response from server" error.

Oh no! You may need to check your device's Date and Time settings. Go to your device's Settings > General > Date and Time > Set Automatically ON. Try signing in after that.

I purchased the app, but it looks like I still have the free version. Am I missing something?

Nope! If you've purchased the app, then it will look similar to the free version except that the "Purchase new lessons" banner will be gone from the bottom of the home screen. You'll now be able to keep leveling up, access new lessons, and complete further quests. Enjoy!

I had to reinstall the app, but now I only see the free version. How do I get my paid version back?

If you're seeing the free version after reinstalling the app, you may need to log back in to your MindSnacks account that you purchased under. Slide the home screen to the right, Switch User, then tap "Sign in with and existing MindSnacks account" and enter your original login details to get back to your paid app.

I need to change my email or the spelling of my name. How do I do that?

Simply slide the home screen to the right, tap Settings, then tap on your name to get to the Update Account screen where you can update your information.

Can multiple users play on the same device?

Yes! You can create additional users by sliding the home screen to the right, tap Switch User, then tap Sign Up. Each new user will receive a complimentary level.

I reset my lessons, but now I'm on a completely different level. What happened?

Not to worry, this is to be expected. We've changed the way that points are awarded for each word mastered. Resetting lessons recalibrates this and places you on the equivalent level.

What's posted to Facebook?

We've introduced posting your mastered words to Facebook! You can enable or disable this feature in Settings > Facebook > Auto-share (make sure Facebook is Connected). High Scores and Level ups will continue to prompt you for permission to post to Facebook each time.

Using our Kids' Vocab app?

For help regarding our Kids' Vocab app, click here.

What is your favorite animal?

We are large fans of apes, common giraffes, anglerfish, & North-Western American Unicorns.