Joining an event

To view an event’s photos and add your own, you join the gallery once. It all happens right in your browser – no app and no account needed. In the vast majority of cases a single tap on the link is all it takes, and you’re already in.

The shortest path

If the host has chosen “Open Access”, no form appears at all: you open the link, briefly see “Preparing gallery…”, and land straight in the gallery. You then get a random nickname automatically, which you can change later. Only when a password is required do you need to type something yourself – we’ll walk through that step by step below.

How to reach the gallery

There are two ways to the gallery, both leading to the same place:

• Open the link – The host shares a link (for example via WhatsApp, email, or on an invitation). Tap it and it opens in your phone’s or computer’s browser.
• Scan the QR code – Point your phone’s camera (or a QR app) at the posted code. It opens the same link. More on this under Scanning a QR code.

Sometimes the code is already built in

The host can embed the access code directly into the link or the QR code. Then joining is fully automatic, with no input at all – even when the event is actually password protected.

The classic join, step by step

When the host requires a password, a short welcome screen guides you through two steps: first the access code, then your display name.

1. Open the welcome screen. After tapping the link or QR code, the “Welcome to our gallery” screen appears. For events with custom branding it shows the host’s colors and logo – but the flow stays the same.

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   The welcome screen greets you right after opening the link.

2. Enter the access code (only when a password is required). Type the code into the Gallery Password field (placeholder “Enter shared password”). Confirm with Continue or simply press the Enter key. You’ll usually find the code on the invitation, a place card, or a poster.

3. Choose a display name. In the next step, enter under Your display name how you’d like to appear in the gallery (for example ShutterBug42). Leave the field empty and you’ll get a random nickname like “FlashMaster1234” automatically – the hint Leave empty for a random nickname sits right below it.

4. Enter. Tap the large button. If you’re not signed in, it reads Enter as guest. A moment later you’re in the gallery.

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   The button to enter is highlighted – tap here to join.

Little helpers on the name step

Above the name field you’ll find two handy buttons:

• Change code (pencil icon) – jumps back to the access code in case you mistyped.
• Generate (dice icon) – rolls a fresh random name into the field until you like one.

And instead of typing the code manually, you can tap the camera icon (scan QR code) inside the password field: the inline “Scan QR code” scanner points at a code and fills the field automatically.

When the button label differs

Depending on the situation the confirm button is labeled differently – it always means the same thing:

• Enter as guest – when you’re not signed in (the normal case).
• Continue to gallery – when you’re already signed in with a PhotoGala account.
• Enter Gallery – in the quick password mode, where only a single field appears.

While it’s loading you briefly see a spinner with “Loading…”.

Prefer to sign in with an account?

If you’re not signed in, below the main button you’ll find an or divider and the Sign in with account button. That opens the sign-in dialog.

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Sign in with account takes you to login via Google or email.

An account is worthwhile if you want to be recognized across devices – for example when you take photos on your phone and continue later on your laptop. If you’re already signed in and have a nickname set, you skip the name step automatically. More on this under Profile and nickname.

Why do I (not) see a password field?

Whether and which field you see when joining is decided solely by the host via the access mode (under Settings → Privacy). There are three modes:

• Open Access – “Anyone with the link can view.” You get in without any input. The host decides whether you start as a Viewer (view photos and like them) or a Contributor (upload photos and complete tasks).
• Password Protected – “Guests need a code to enter.” You have to enter the access code (for example wedding-2024).
• Completely Private (Advanced) – Only custom invitations work; the default code is disabled. Here you need a personal invitation link from the host.

For hosts

Are you a host yourself and want to configure access? See Privacy settings and Inviting guests.

Changing the language on the gate

You can switch the display language even before joining: at the bottom of the welcome screen you’ll find the globe icon with a language picker. The change takes effect immediately. Details under Changing the language.

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Use the globe icon to switch the language right on the gate.

Troubleshooting

Common hurdles when joining

• “I see no field at all and I’m in right away.” – That’s normal: the host doesn’t require a code (Open Access).
• “I see a password field but don’t have a code.” – Ask the host. The code is often on the invitation, a place card, or a poster.
• “Invalid password” despite the correct code – Watch for capitalization and hyphens (codes often look like happy-moment-123). See also Forgot password.
• The link contained a code, but the field is empty. – By design: for security reasons the app removes the code from the address bar immediately. It was already checked in the background.
• The QR scanner won’t start. – Allow the browser camera access (“Starting camera…”). Alternatively, just type the code manually.
• Security check / captcha. – For unusual access an invisible security check may appear. Message “The captcha could not be loaded”? Disable content blockers or try a different browser or network.
• Invitation expired or used up. – If an invitation link has expired or reached its usage limit, the app jumps back to the code step. Request a fresh link from the host.
• “Connection lost” / server unreachable. – Check your internet connection and tap the retry button.

What happens after joining?

Done – you’re in the gallery. From here you can dive right in:

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After joining you land on the gallery home screen.

• Viewing and navigating the gallery – find your way around the grid, albums, and menus.
• Uploading photos – share your own shots with everyone.
• Solving photo tasks – earn points with little photo challenges.
• Profile and nickname – change your display name anytime.

For moderators and admins

If you’re a moderator or admin of the event, you join via the same screen. You reach your extra areas afterward through the profile menu at the top right: there, under “Management”, you’ll find Moderation and Admin Portal. More on this under Roles and permissions.