Unfortunately, older devices with lower memory capacity are known to be at risk of having crashes. This is more noticeable in some of our newer games such as Coding Awbie, Coding Jam and Pizza Co. We are investigating ways to help reduce the likelihood of these issues occurring and hope to be able to make improvements in the near future.

In the meantime, we suggest closing all background apps on your device and restarting the device before you start playing. Doing this should help reduce the likelihood of the crashes happening. It is recommended to, at minimum, always play without other apps running in the background.

Note also that the minimum iOS version required to play the Osmo games is 8.0.

You may need to adjust your camera settings so your device works with the Osmo apps.

If you have iOS 8 or below, the instructions are here. (note that Osmo does not support iOS versions older than 8.0).

If you have iOS 9 or higher installed, please make sure that the Osmo games are checked under Settings > Privacy > Camera.

The next thing to try is to restart your device and see if the game runs. To do this:
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button (a red slider will appear)
- Drag the slider to turn your device off
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until you see the Apple logo and the device is turning on again

If that does not help, the main cause of these errors we've seen is there being a camera hardware issue. To check this, do the following:

- Start FaceTime on your device
- You should see yourself on screen, if you see a black screen or the app crashes, there is an issue with your camera hardware

If that doesn't work, please write to us at support@playosmo.com, and we will figure out what is happening.

It is not currently possible to mute the sound in individual Osmo apps, but it's something we're looking to change in the future.

You can increase the difficulty in several of our apps, namely, Numbers, Tangram, and Words.

Numbers

Starting in version 1.2.2, players can use the "Unlock All Modes" option in the settings menu to unlock the first level of the "Add", "Connect" and "Multiply" levels. Access the settings menu by tapping the screen once to bring up the settings button (a gear shaped icon) in the top left corner. Tap the settings button and then tap on "Unlock All Modes" near the bottom left of your screen.

See the Numbers PDF guide for more info.

Tangram

After you press Play on the start screen, you will be able to choose the starting level: Easy, Medium, or Hard. The Harder level will unlock after 4 Hard puzzles have been solved.

See the Tangram PDF guide for more info.

Words

Junior Mode - if you're in Junior mode, tap on the settings button ('II') in the top left hand corner. Once here you will see the words 'Home, Restart, and Achievements.' Underneath these words is the option to turn on or off the 'hints' and 'speech.'

Play Mode (after selecting versus or Zen) - to increase the difficulty, tap on the settings button ('II') in the top left hand corner. Once here, you will see the words 'Home, Restart, Achievements, and Albums.' Underneath these words is the option to turn on or off the 'hints' and 'speech.' There is also a difficulty meter where players can select the levels Easy, Medium, Hard, and Impossible. The Impossible level is an adult favorite!

Please note that downloadable albums that are created by the general public may or may not have these options associated with them.

See the Words PDF guide for more info.

To reset progress in most of our apps (Coding Awbie, Coding Jam, Newton, Numbers, Pizza Co., Tangram, and Words), click on the settings icon (a gear) in the top left corner of the home screen and select 'Reset progress'.

To reset progress in Monster, please log in to myOsmo (https://my.playosmo.com), click on your username in the top right corner, select 'Profiles' from the dropdown menu and click any profile icon to go that profile's page and reset your progress.

Osmo apps are enjoyed by many younger kids. That said, please note that the Osmo game pieces are a choking hazard, and are therefore recommended for ages 3+.

You may wish to check out our curriculum page for ideas (filter by grade to select Pre-K or another early grade):

https://my.playosmo.com/en/curriculums

• The Monster app is our youngest, it's designed for ages 4 to 9.
• The Numbers app has easy counting levels that are played with dot tiles.
• The Tangram app has introductory levels that work well for younger kids. Please tap the Introduction button on the home screen to play them.
• The Words app has a Junior Mode, which means that some letters appear on the screen as hints. To do that in a custom album, you need to put parentheses around the letter or letters that you wish to appear as hints.

Please use these links to create your own albums and see what other people have created:

https://my.playosmo.com/words/help
https://my.playosmo.com/words/browse

 

Here are the instructions from the Apple Support website:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT200289

 

 

Here are the instructions from the Apple Support website:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207618

 

First close the app. Here are the instructions from the Apple Support website:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201330

Then tap on the app icon to reopen it.

To play Osmo, first set the iPad in the white base, then put the red reflector on top of the iPad and then you open up the App Store on your iPad and download the game. From there you just open up the game and start playing!

Watch YouTube videos to take you through playing with Osmo here.

Once you have bought the hardware from PlayOsmo.com or from in-store retailers, you can download and verify the apps via PlayOsmo.com/Start.

All of our apps are available to download (or update) from the App Store free of charge:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/developer/tangible-play/id799157444

Here are the links to the individual apps: 

Coding Awbie

Coding Jam

Masterpiece

Monster

Newton

Numbers

Pizza Co.

Tangram

Words

 

 

 

 

Have you tried restarting your iPad yet?

 

1. Hold the Sleep/Wake button until you see a slider at the top of the screen.
2. Drag the slider to the right to shut down the iPad.
3. When the iPad has shut off, hold the Sleep/Wake button again until the Apple logo comes up.

 

If that still doesn't work, you can try this:

 

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPad.
2. In the left column, tap 'General'.
3. In the right column tap 'Storage * iCloud Usage'.
4. Under the first section (storage) tap 'Manage'.
5. Do you see Osmo Numbers listed there? If so, tap it.
6. Tap 'Delete App'.

 

If that doesn't work, could you try the following steps? They will reset the cache of the App Store, to hopefully reset the faulty download status of your app:

 

1. Open up the App Store.
2. Tap the 'Featured' button (a star) at the bottom of the screen 10 times in a row. This should make the screen go white for a few seconds while it says 'Loading' in the middle.
3. Once the App Store has reloaded, go back to the home screen and check if it's still shaded in the undownloaded state or if it's starting to download.

 

If that doesn't work, you can try this:

 

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPad.
2. On the left column, scroll down to iTunes & App Store and tap it.
3. Tap your current Apple ID at the top.
4. Tap 'Sign Out' in the popup menu that appears.
5. Sign back in with your Apple ID.

 

If none of the above helps, please contact us at support@playosmo.com so we can help troubleshoot.

Osmo fosters learning in key areas such as creative problem solving, art, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and Common Core. Specific skill sets associated with each app are:

1. Coding Awbie teaches logic and problem solving skills: https://www.playosmo.com/en/coding/

2. Coding Jam expands on the Osmo Coding Language, allowing players to explore advanced computational concepts: https://www.playosmo.com/en/coding-jam/

3. Masterpiece teaches drawing and creative confidence: https://www.playosmo.com/en/masterpiece/

4. Monster encourages creativity through narrative play: https://www.playosmo.com/en/monster/

5. Newton fosters creative problem solving skills: https://www.playosmo.com/en/newton/

6. Numbers teaches counting, addition and multiplication: https://www.playosmo.com/en/numbers/

7. Pizza Co. teaches math, money, fractions and nonverbal communication: https://www.playosmo.com/en/pizza-co/

8. Tangram fosters spatial relational skills: https://www.playosmo.com/en/tangram/

9. Words‌ teaches spelling and critical thinking skills: https://www.playosmo.com/en/words/.

 

Osmo games fire up multiple skill sets at once: spatial, interpersonal and motor skills. This is a far more nourishing experience than a simple touch-screen experience in which the player zones out while playing the game and often loses sight of the outside world. Also, kids aren’t hunched over when playing Osmo – it’s less time they spend sitting with poor posture. We're all about healthy screen time at Osmo!

Yes, all of our apps are built with the utmost care for kids to use. Tangram, Words, Newton and Masterpiece are all certified by the kidSAFE® Seal Program. Our newer games will also be certified but the certification process takes time. The kidSAFE® Seal Program is an independent certification service and seal program that reviews and certifies the safety practices of children-friendly websites and applications, including kid-targeted game sites, virtual worlds, social networks, PC and mobile apps, web-connected devices, and other similar online and interactive products. You can read a bit about the program here. Official certifications are available for Tangram, Words and Newton. Thanks, kidSAFE®!

Here is a list of resources you can look at for each of our games.

Creative Set

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gysX4P6fc4

Coding Awbie

Help: https://my.playosmo.com/en/help/app/coding

Video (Let's Play): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrxB4zHT1No

Video (update 1.2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PygSa2IO6wM

Video (update 1.3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBanoie8uWw

Manual: https://www.playosmo.com/static/downloads/GettingStartedWithCoding.pdf

Coding Jam

Video (Let's Play): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Iv2DSNbk6M

Video (tutorials): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZoqF9cJyWo

Manual: https://my.playosmo.com/assets/files/getting-started-guides/GettingStartedwithCodingJam.pdf

Coding Duo:

Manual: https://www.playosmo.com/static/downloads/GettingStartedwithCodingDuo.pdf

Masterpiece

Help: https://my.playosmo.com/en/help/app/masterpiece 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyfJMt82Pxc

Manual: https://www.playosmo.com/static/downloads/GettingStartedWithOsmoMasterpiece.pdf

MindRacers

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDTMhP0wvdA

Manual: https://www.playosmo.com/static/downloads/GettingStartedWithMindRacers.pdf

Monster

Help: https://my.playosmo.com/en/help/app/monster 

Video (Let's Play): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC6h_Oe4IwI 

Manual: https://www.playosmo.com/static/downloads/GettingStartedWithOsmoMonster.pdf

Newton

Help: https://my.playosmo.com/en/help/app/newton

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhAuwGHxs6g

Manual: https://www.playosmo.com/static/downloads/GettingStartedWithOsmoNewton.pdf

Numbers

Help: https://my.playosmo.com/en/help/app/numbers

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYXdwDP14tY

Manual: https://www.playosmo.com/static/downloads/GettingStartedWithOsmoNumbers.pdf

Pizza Co.

Help: https://my.playosmo.com/en/help/app/pizza-co

Video (Let's Play): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abx4OTZE9kM

Manual: https://www.playosmo.com/static/downloads/GettingStartedWithOsmoPizzaCo.pdf

Tangram

Help: https://my.playosmo.com/en/help/app/tangram

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88NIZXw9OSc

Manual: https://www.playosmo.com/static/downloads/GettingStartedWithOsmoTangram.pdf

Words

Help: https://my.playosmo.com/en/help/app/words

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJw4jdRaVX8

Video (create album): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B9--JtWKQg

Manual: https://www.playosmo.com/static/downloads/GettingStartedWithOsmoWords.pdf

 

Please also check out the Osmo teacher guide: https://www.playosmo.com/static/downloads/teachers_guide.pdf

 

You don't need the internet to play most of the time. There are, however, times when you do need an internet connection such as:

1. When you are setting up your myOsmo account.
2. When you are downloading or updating your Osmo apps.
3. When you are syncing up your game progress in myOsmo.
4. When you are creating custom albums for the Words app or downloading other people's albums.
5. When you are using the search feature or the sharing feature in the Masterpiece app.

If you tap the screen, the menu icon will appear in the top left corner.

All Osmo apps save your progress. When you are playing any of our games, if you are connected to your myOsmo account in the app, your level is always saved. If you want to use another iPad, you can, and it will remember your level.

Osmo uses the iPad camera along with the red reflector to detect what the user is doing (with the pieces/drawings). Without access to the camera, Osmo can't see what pieces are in front of the iPad.

Yes! All Osmo apps support multiple profiles, which allows different users on the same system to retain their progress individually. Please visit my.playosmo.com to create one or more profiles.

To switch to a different player profile within any Osmo app, please tap the profile icon in the top right hand corner of any app, then tap 'Change Profile'.

No, Osmo is designed to bring people together, in the same room, around a single iPad. It's all about playing together beyond the screen.

As is true about general use of iPads, you'll have the best play experience if there is ample space for the iPad to run the open applications. If you experience sluggishness in your games, consider closing other open applications and restarting the Osmo app.

Here are the approximate install capacities needed per game:

Coding Awbie: 468.7 MB

Coding Duo: 184 MB

Coding Jam: 950 MB

Masterpiece: 184.4 MB

MindRacers: 628.3 MB

Monster: 222.1 MB

Newton: 470.7 MB

Numbers: 182.4 MB

Pizza Co.: 322.2 MB

Tangram: 134.8 MB

Words: 208.9 MB

Here are the steps to edit an avatar (please make sure you have the most up-to-date version of the Osmo apps):

1. open an Osmo app
2. tap the profile name in the top right corner of the home screen
3. long-press the avatar on the top of the screen (tap and hold for a few seconds).

Here are the steps you can use to opt out of Osmo app cross-promotions:

1. Go to my.playosmo.com.
2. Click on the 'Account' link on the left.
3. Click on the 'Games' link on the left.
4. Scroll down to the 'Recommendations' section of the page.
5. Check 'Disable Recommended Games' to turn off promotions.

You'll see this image after each round as a reminder to clear your pieces from the game surface. On to the next round!

If the game says “Center your pieces,” it means that your puzzle is close to the edge of Osmo’s field of vision. To fix this, slide your puzzle until it’s centered in front of the iPad.

Oops! Can't hear the Osmo games? There are a few ways to enable/disable the sound in your iOS app.

Please first check the side switch (the slider on the top right of more recent iPads). If it is configured to mute and the orange is visible on the slider, then the sound is muted. Interestingly, not all apps respect this setting, so that can explain cases where only Osmo apps seem to be muted.

You can also, inside of any app, verify that the sound is turned on in software using the control center.

There should be a volume slider on control center. If that is up and the mute isn't turned on, you should be hearing sound.

If neither was the problem, you can try plugging in headphones to see if you can hear sound in Osmo apps as well as other apps.

We would also like to recommend this helpful troubleshooting guide:

http://iphonenosound.com/sound-and-speaker-has-stopped-working-on-ipad-how-to-fix/