Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about how Waiting for a Mate works
How do I share referral codes with friends?
Add your referral codes to the app, then create a group and invite your friends via a share link. When a friend needs a code — for Uber, UberEats, a bank, energy provider, or any other service — they search for it in the app and get matched with a mate's code. No group chat spam, no awkward asking around. The codes are always there when someone needs them.
What services can I share referral codes for?
Any service that has a referral or sign-up bonus program. Popular ones include: Ride sharing (Uber, DiDi, Lyft), Food delivery (UberEats, DoorDash, Menulog), Banks (ING, Up, Macquarie, CommBank, NAB), Streaming (Netflix, Stan, Disney+, Binge), Internet and phone (Aussie Broadband, Belong, Spintel), Energy (Origin, AGL, Energy Australia). If a service has a referral program, you can share the code on Waiting for a Mate.
How does the random code selection work?
When you search for a service in your group, the app randomly picks from all available codes for that service. This ensures fair distribution — everyone in the group gets an equal chance at referral rewards. The selection is genuinely random. Group admins can't weight it or see the results. If a mate tells you directly "use my code", they can share their link with you outside the picker.
Is the app free to use?
Yes, Waiting for a Mate is completely free. There are no paid tiers, no limits on codes or groups, and no fees for using referral codes. The Android app has non-intrusive banner ads. We don't sell your data or charge for any features.
What's the difference between Groups and Communities?
Groups are private — only people you invite can see the codes inside. Perfect for close friends, family, or workmates. Communities are public — anyone can join. They help you find referral codes for services your immediate friend group might not use. You can hide specific codes from communities if you only want your mates to access them.
How do Mates of Mates connections work?
You only need 3-4 friends on the app. Each of those friends is in their own groups — workmates, sports clubs, uni friends. That means your 3-4 connections become 30-50+ through their networks. When you search for a code, you can see codes from friends-of-friends. You'll see the trust chain — "via Tom" or "via Sarah" — so you know the connection.
What if I can't find a referral code I need?
Search expands through three levels: 1. Your mates (people in your private groups), 2. Mates of Mates (friends-of-friends through your network), 3. Communities (public groups anyone can join). If nobody has the code yet, add your own. When someone else needs it later, they'll find yours — and you both get rewarded.
Why not just use a group chat or spreadsheet?
Group chats bury codes in old messages, and the same person always replies first. Spreadsheets go stale and nobody maintains them. Waiting for a Mate solves both: fair random selection (no "fastest typer wins"), codes are always available (not buried in chat history), Code Health flags broken codes automatically, and you discover services your network uses that you didn't know about.
Do referral codes expire or get used up?
Most referral codes are permanent account links that never expire. Some services have referral limits (e.g., "refer 5 friends"), but most don't. You can set an expiry date on time-limited codes. When multiple mates have the same service, the app picks randomly so everyone gets a fair chance. If a code stops working, our Code Health system lets users report it and the owner gets notified to update it.