Quick checks that fix most problems
Before anything else, make sure that:
- The link is to a post or a reel, not a story, highlight or profile.
- The account that posted it is public.
- The post still exists and comments are turned on.
- Your iPhone is online and runs iOS 15 or later.
- You have at least one giveaway credit in the app.
- For a video of the draw, screen recording is on and Gifty is allowed to add to your Photos.
Troubleshooting FAQ
Why does Gifty say my link is invalid?
Gifty only works with public Instagram posts and reels. A link is rejected when it's:
- a story or highlight link (these usually contain /stories/),
- a profile link, such as instagram.com/yourname,
- from a private account,
- for a post that was deleted or archived.
A post link usually contains /p/ and a reel link /reel/. Copy the link again from the post itself and paste the whole link.
How do I copy the link to an Instagram post or reel?
- Open the post or reel in the Instagram app.
- Tap the share button (the paper plane) or the three dots (⋯).
- Tap Copy link.
- Open Gifty and paste the link into the link field.
Why won't the comments load?
Check that your iPhone is online, the account is still public, the post hasn't been deleted and comments are turned on, then paste the link again. If the post or its last comments are only a few minutes old, they may not be publicly available yet, so wait a few minutes and try again. If it still doesn't work, contact us with the post link (see the last question).
Why are there fewer entries than comments on my post?
The comment count on Instagram isn't the same as the number of entries. The difference usually comes from:
- Duplicates. Each account counts once, however many comments it left.
- Your @mention rule. Comments with fewer @mentions than your minimum are left out.
- Comments Gifty can't see. Hidden, deleted or restricted comments, and comments Instagram doesn't make publicly available at the time, can't be included.
- The participant limit. Each draw includes up to 1,000 different accounts.
What happens if more than 1,000 accounts commented?
Each draw includes up to 1,000 participants, meaning different Instagram accounts. If more accounts than that commented, not all of them can be part of the draw. If you expect a bigger giveaway, keep this in mind when you plan it and when you write your giveaway rules.
How does the minimum @mentions rule work?
It's made for "tag your friends" giveaways. Set the minimum to the number your rules ask for, and only comments with at least that many @mentions can win. For "tag 2 friends", set 2. Set 0 if any comment counts. Gifty counts the @mentions in the comment text but can't tell whether the tagged accounts are real people, so look at each winning comment before you announce.
Someone commented many times. Do they get more chances?
No. Gifty removes duplicates, so each account has one entry, however many comments it left. If your caption says "every comment is an entry", change it before you post, because that's not how the draw works.
What is a giveaway credit, and when is it used?
A credit pays for one draw. Credits come in packs you buy in the app, and there's no subscription. One credit is used when you start a draw. Pasting a link and changing your settings don't use credits, but the app asks for at least one credit before it looks up a post. Running a second draw on the same post uses another credit.
Where are my credits? Can I move them to a new iPhone?
Credits are stored on your iPhone and stay there until you use them. They aren't tied to an Instagram account, so you can use them on any public post. They can't be transferred, and changing devices or deleting the app's data may remove unused credits. See our terms of use.
How do I get a refund?
App Store purchases are refunded by Apple, not by Gifty. Go to reportaproblem.apple.com, sign in with your Apple Account, find the purchase and request a refund. If a draw failed after a credit was used, email us from the app with the post link and the time, and we'll look into it.
Why didn't my screen recording save?
The video is saved to Photos, so Gifty needs permission to add to your photo library. Open the Settings app, find Gifty (on newer iOS versions it's under Apps), tap Photos and allow access. Also check that screen recording was on before the draw started, that you allowed the recording if iOS asked, and that your iPhone has free storage.
Don't re-run the draw just to get a video: a new draw picks new winners and uses another credit. Share a screenshot of the result list instead.
The winner didn't reply or doesn't qualify. Do I need a new draw?
Not if you set alternates. Alternates are picked in the same draw, in order, so you contact the first alternate, then the next. Set the number of alternates before you start. A new draw starts from scratch and uses another credit.
Does Gifty check whether winners follow me or liked the post?
No. Gifty applies one entry per account and your @mention minimum. If your rules also ask people to follow, like or share, check that on each winner's profile before you announce, and move to the next alternate if someone doesn't qualify.
How do I contact support?
Use the Contact Us option in the app. It opens an email to info@giffty.app with your device ID already in it. Please keep that line, because it helps us find your records. Describe the problem and add the post link and the time of the draw. If Mail isn't set up on your iPhone, write to info@giffty.app from any email app.
