Trick or treat: knock three times on a dark house's door
Trick or treat puts your friend on the porch of a cute, slightly spooky house under a full moon. The windows are dark, a black cat with glowing eyes sits on the railing, and a little spider dangles from the eaves. All they have to do is knock three times with the brass bat-shaped knocker. Each knock lights up another window and makes the cat turn its head. On the third, the door swings inward and warm light spills across the porch. It captures that small thrill of waiting at a stranger's door on Halloween night.
Send it to the friend you went trick-or-treating with as a kid, a niece or nephew who loves Halloween, or anyone who just shared their costume photos. You add their name and yours, choose the door colour and what comes out of it, and write a note if you want. Share the link in a message; it opens in their phone browser with no app.
What does the recipient experience?
- The opening screen says you brought them to a mysterious door, with a "Step onto the porch" button. Sound on is recommended.
- The camera moves toward the house and their name appears. The cat on the railing can be tapped at any time; it meows and flicks its tail.
- They knock by tapping the door or the knocker, three times. Every knock lights a window and brings a new line of encouragement. If tapping is tricky, holding the "Hold to knock" button does the knocking.
- After the third knock the door slowly opens, letting out warm light and drifting specks of dust.
- Depending on your choice, a friendly ghost floats out shouting "Boo!" while the cat jumps in surprise, or candy tumbles out onto the porch and down the steps.
- The pumpkins sparkle, your message card opens, and they can send back 🎃 👻 🍬 🦇 or ❤️ as a thank-you.
What can you choose?
Besides their name, your name and an optional message, you make two choices. The door colour: purple, orange, black or green. And the surprise: with trick, a ghost says "Boo!" and the screen asks them by name if they got scared; with treat, candy pours out when the door opens. Suggested messages are there if you are stuck for words.
When to send it
Made for Halloween, October 31, though it works any time that week. The trick surprise is fun for friends who enjoy a jump scare; for small children, or someone who will open it late at night, the treat may be kinder. Sound adds a lot (the knocks, the creaking door, the cat), but every step still works with the phone on silent.
Common questions
Where exactly do they need to tap to knock?
Anywhere on the door counts, and a small three-dot guide sits next to the knocker. If there is no knock for about seven seconds, a hint appears.
Can they interact with the cat?
Yes. From the moment they step onto the porch they can tap the cat, which meows, blinks or twitches an ear. It also turns toward the door as the knocks get louder.
What does the door colour change?
Only the look of the door in the middle of the house. The steps and the surprise are the same in every colour.