Help and troubleshooting
What usually goes wrong, why, and what to do about it. Nothing here needs an account on this site: everything happens on Instagram.
Getting started
How to ask, and how to get in.
I do not know how to get an app
- Why
- Everything starts on Instagram, not on this site. The site only shows what has been built.
- What to do
- Follow @plzbuild, then comment @plzbuild under any reel and say what you want, or send it the reel in a message with a line on what to make. Your link comes back in your messages.
Should I comment or send a message?
- Why
- Both work. They are two doors into the same builder.
- What to do
- A comment (@plzbuild plus what you want) under a reel is the quickest. In a message, send the reel itself and a line on what to make from it. Words with no reel get one question back asking for the reel or post.
I followed and I am still waiting to get in
- Why
- People are let in a few at a time, so there is a short line. Until your turn, nothing is sent to you, not even a refusal.
- What to do
- Stay following @plzbuild. When you are let in you get one message that says so. There is nothing to resend, and asking again does not move you up.
Does it cost anything?
- Why
- No. It is free during the beta.
- What to do
- Nothing to pay. If anyone asks you for money or a code to get your app, it is not us.
When it does not reply
The usual reasons a message gets no answer, and what to do.
I commented or messaged and got no reply
- Why
- The common reasons: you do not follow @plzbuild (only followers are read), you have not been let in yet, or the comment did not read as a request (a heart or a single word is not one).
- What to do
- Follow @plzbuild, then ask again with a sentence about what you want. If you did follow, check the next two items: the line to get in, and your Message requests folder.
I said hi and only got a standard tip back
- Why
- A short greeting is not a request, so you get one standard hint on how to ask (at most once an hour).
- What to do
- Send a reel or post and one line on what to make from it, such as a game, a quiz or a tool.
I cannot find its message
- Why
- Instagram can file a first message from an account you do not follow in Message requests, or in Hidden requests inside it, instead of your main inbox. Instagram also only lets an account answer in a chat for a limited time after your last message to it.
- What to do
- Open your messages, then Requests, then Hidden requests, and accept the chat. If it has been a while since you last wrote, send a short message again and it can answer.
The reel is from a private account
- Why
- @plzbuild can only open public posts. A private post is not visible to it, so it cannot watch or read it.
- What to do
- Say in your own words what the reel shows and what you want built, or share a public reel on the same idea.
It is taking a long time
- Why
- Builds are done one after another by a limited number of builders. When many people ask at once there is a line, and bigger ideas take longer than simple ones. The bot tells you when there is a line ahead of yours.
- What to do
- Wait for the message with your link. It usually comes the same day. If it has been more than a day with no word at all, check the earlier items, then message @plzbuild again.
It says I used my builds for this week
- Why
- Each person has a limited number of builds per week so everyone gets a turn, and a new request also has a short per-hour limit.
- What to do
- The message names the date your next build frees up. You can still play, share and remix what already exists.
Your app
Links, changes, remixes and anything that looks wrong.
The link will not open, or the page is blank
- Why
- Your link arrives early and turns into the real app when the build finishes, so right after the message it may not be ready. An app can also be briefly unavailable if something broke.
- What to do
- Reload after a minute or two. If it still does not load, or shows an error, report it with the form and say what you saw.
The app looks broken or does the wrong thing
- Why
- Apps are built by bots from a short request, and sometimes one misses. Every app goes through automatic checks, and a few still get past them.
- What to do
- Use the report page and pick Broken or misleading. For something you want different rather than fixed, ask for a change (see the next item).
I want to change my app
- Why
- An app is not edited in place. A change is a remix: a new copy with its own link, and the original stays as it was and keeps its credit.
- What to do
- Open the app and tap Remix, or tell @plzbuild what you would change in a comment or a message. Say what to change and the new copy comes back with its own link.
My remix code did not work
- Why
- A remix code proves it is you. It expires, works once, and you must follow @plzbuild for it to be accepted. A typo also fails.
- What to do
- Follow @plzbuild first if you have not. Then make a new code on the remix page and send it to @plzbuild in a message right away.
Names, takedowns and fakes
Who sees your name, how to remove an app, and how to spot an imitation.
Who sees my name?
- Why
- The app's page says who asked for it and links to their Instagram, so the credit is real and visible to anyone who opens the app.
- What to do
- Rather not be named? Tell @plzbuild and it leaves your name off.
I want an app, or my name, removed
- Why
- Apps are public at their own address, so taking one down is a decision a person makes. Reports are read by a person; nothing is removed automatically.
- What to do
- Use the report page: name the app and pick the closest reason, and add a line on what you want, such as taking it down or removing your name.
Someone messaged me pretending to be you
- Why
- @plzbuild only answers when you comment or message first. It never asks for passwords, codes or money, and it never sends you off to other websites.
- What to do
- Check the exact username against the official list. If it does not match, do not reply or click, and report it.
Still stuck? Tap Plz in the corner of any page to write to us or suggest an idea. To report an app, use the report page.