2026-02-17

Episode Choose Your Story Free Gems and Passes

HOW TO GET EPISODE GEMS & PASSES THE LEGIT WAY 👋My top tip: Get Episode Choose Your Story Free Gems and Passes the Easy Way Hey there, fellow story addict! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably burned through your free Episode passes faster than a vampire at a blood bank, and now you’re staring at that tantalizing gem-locked scene like it’s the last slice of pizza at a party. "Do I really have to wait 3 hours? Or… do I just… buy gems?" NOPE. Not today, Satan. (Or, well, the Episode app’s microtransaction system.) I’ve been playing Episode for years—like, long enough to remember when the art was questionable and the stories were wildly unhinged (looking at you, The Secret Life of a Teenage Centaur). And in that time, I’ve learned a few totally legit ways to stockpile gems and passes without spending a dime. (Okay, fine, maybe a little dime. But we’ll get to that.) So grab your favorite snack, put on your comfiest hoodie, and let’s dive into the real ways to keep your story addiction fed—without resorting to shady third-party sites or selling your firstborn to the gem gods. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. THE DAILY GRIND: YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND (EVEN IF IT’S BORING AF) Look, I get it. Logging in every single day just to tap a button feels about as exciting as watching paint dry. But hear me out—this is the easiest way to rack up free gems and passes over time. HOW IT WORKS: * Daily Login Bonus: Every day you log in, you get a little reward. Sometimes it’s gems, sometimes it’s passes, sometimes it’s just… a sad little sticker. But hey, free stuff is free stuff! * Streak Bonus: If you log in for multiple days in a row, the rewards get better. Miss a day? Poof. Back to square one. (I’ve cried over this more times than I’d like to admit.) PRO TIP: Set a reminder on your phone! I have one that says "DID YOU FEED YOUR EPISODE ADDICTION TODAY?" in all caps because I will forget otherwise. Personal Anecdote: I once went three whole months without missing a day because I was determined to get that 30-day streak reward. Did I need 500 gems? No. Did I want them? Absolutely. Did I feel like a gaming legend when I finally got them? 100%. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. WATCH ADS LIKE IT’S YOUR JOB (BECAUSE IT KIND OF IS) Yes, I know. Ads are the worst. But guess what? Episode loves throwing free gems at you if you just sit through 30 seconds of some random mobile game ad. WHERE TO FIND THEM: * The "Free Gems" Button: Tap the gem icon in the top-right corner of the app, then hit "Free Gems." You’ll see options to watch ads for small gem rewards. * Pass Refills: Sometimes, when you run out of passes, Episode will offer you a "Watch an ad for 1 free pass" option. TAKE IT. That’s a free pass, baby! * Story Ads: Some stories have ads at the end of chapters that reward you with gems. (I once got 5 gems just for watching a very dramatic ad about a mobile RPG. Worth it.) PRO TIP: * Don’t skip the ad too fast! Some ads only give rewards if you watch the whole thing. (I learned this the hard way after mashing the "X" button like my life depended on it.) * Do this while you’re doing something else. I watch ads while brushing my teeth, waiting for my coffee to brew, or pretending to listen to my roommate’s very long story about their cat. Multitasking! Personal Anecdote: I once watched 17 ads in a row because I was that desperate to unlock a scene in The Baby Project. Did I feel like a corporate shill? Yes. Did I get my gems? Also yes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. PLAY THE "WAIT IT OUT" GAME (AKA: THE ART OF PATIENCE) Ah, the classic Episode strategy. You know the one—where you stare at the screen, willing the timer to go faster, while internally screaming "WHY IS 3 HOURS SO LONG?!" But here’s the thing: If you’re strategic, you can always have a pass ready when you need it. HOW TO MASTER THE WAIT: * Plan Your Reading Sessions: If you know you have 3 hours until your next pass, use that time wisely. Do your chores, study, take a nap, or—if you’re like me—bake a cake while dramatically sighing about how unfair it is that you can’t read right now. * Use the "Free Pass" Timer: Episode gives you one free pass every 3 hours. If you time it right, you can read two chapters in a row by using your free pass immediately when it refreshes. * The "Midnight Hack": If you’re really desperate, set an alarm for midnight. The pass timer resets at midnight (in your time zone), so if you use your last pass at 11:59 PM, you’ll get a new one one minute later. (I’ve done this. No regrets.) PRO TIP: * Don’t waste passes on stories you’re not super into. I once used 5 passes in a row on a story about a girl who definitely had a secret twin, only to realize halfway through that the writing was trash. Lesson learned. Personal Anecdote: I once stayed up until 3 AM reading The Bad Boy’s Girl because I refused to wait until morning for my next pass. Did I regret it when I had to function at work the next day? Absolutely. Was it worth it? Also absolutely. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. PARTICIPATE IN CONTESTS & EVENTS (AKA: THE "I’M NOT COMPETITIVE, YOU’RE COMPETITIVE" METHOD) Episode loves running contests and events where you can win free gems, passes, and even real-life prizes (yes, really!). And the best part? You don’t even have to be that good at them. TYPES OF EVENTS: * Writing Contests: If you’re even remotely creative, you can enter these! Even if you don’t win, just participating sometimes gives you a small gem reward. * Art Contests: Not an artist? No problem! You can still vote on entries and sometimes get gems for it. * Social Media Challenges: Follow Episode on Instagram/Twitter/TikTok, and they’ll occasionally post challenges where you can win gems just by commenting or sharing. * In-App Events: Sometimes Episode runs limited-time events where you can earn gems by reading certain stories, completing tasks, or just logging in during the event period. PRO TIP: * Set a reminder for event deadlines! I once missed out on a huge gem prize because I forgot to submit my entry. Never again. * Don’t stress about winning. Even if you don’t take first place, just entering can sometimes get you a consolation prize. Personal Anecdote: I once won 50 gems in an art contest just for drawing a very questionable stick-figure version of my favorite Episode character. Did it look like a toddler drew it? Yes. Did I care? Nope. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. REFER FRIENDS (AND THEN STEAL THEIR GEMS… JUST KIDDING… UNLESS?) Okay, this one’s a little sneaky, but it works. Episode has a referral system where you can get free gems just for getting your friends to download the app. HOW IT WORKS: 1. Go to your profile and tap "Invite Friends." 2. Share your referral link via text, social media, or carrier pigeon (whatever works). 3. When your friend downloads Episode and reads their first story, you both get free gems! PRO TIP: * Target the right people. Your friend who hates reading? Probably not the best candidate. Your cousin who’s obsessed with romance novels? Jackpot. * Don’t be too pushy. Nobody likes that one friend who won’t stop sending them "PLS DOWNLOAD EPISODE OR I WILL DIE" texts. (Not that I’ve ever done that… cough.) Personal Anecdote: I once convinced my entire group chat to download Episode just so I could get enough gems to unlock a very dramatic scene in The Hook Up Artist. Did they all immediately uninstall it after? Yes. Did I get my gems? Also yes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. THE "I’LL JUST BUY ONE PACK" TRAP (AKA: THE SLIPPERY SLOPE) Okay, okay, I said we were doing this the legit way, but let’s be real—sometimes you need that gem pack. Maybe it’s for a super important scene. Maybe you’re this close to finishing a story and can’t wait. Maybe you just really want to see your favorite character in that one outfit. And that’s… fine. Sometimes. HOW TO DO IT WITHOUT REGRET: * Wait for sales. Episode loves running gem pack sales (like 50% off!). If you’re going to spend money, wait for a deal. * Start small. Don’t drop $50 on gems unless you’re absolutely sure you’ll use them. (I learned this the hard way after buying a huge gem pack for a story that got canceled after two chapters. RIP my wallet.) * Treat it like a real purchase. Would you spend $10 on a coffee? Then maybe don’t spend $10 on gems unless you’re really getting your money’s worth. PRO TIP: * Use the "Wishlist" feature. If there’s a gem-locked scene you really want to read, add it to your wishlist. That way, when you do get gems, you know exactly where to spend them. Personal Anecdote: I once spent $5 on gems for a very dramatic scene in The Billionaire’s Wake-Up-Call Girlfriend. Did I regret it when the story took a wild turn into sci-fi territory? A little. But was it worth it for the drama? 100%. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. THE "SECRET" TRICK: PLAY OLDER STORIES (AKA: THE "WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THIS SOONER?" METHOD) Here’s a little-known secret: Some older Episode stories have way fewer gem locks than newer ones. And if you’re really trying to save gems, playing these can be a game-changer. HOW TO FIND THEM: * Sort by "Most Popular (All Time)." These stories have been around for years, so they’re less likely to be super gem-heavy. * Look for "Completed" stories. These won’t have new gem locks popping up, so you can binge without worrying about running out of passes. * Check out "Classic" stories. Some of the oldest Episode stories (like The Secret Life of a Teenage Centaur) have very few gem locks because they were made before the app went full microtransaction. PRO TIP: * Use the "Free to Play" filter. Some stories are completely free to play (no gems required!). These are gold for when you’re running low on passes. Personal Anecdote: I once binged The Bad Boy’s Girl (the original one, not the reboot) and only spent 10 gems the entire story. 10 GEMs. For hundreds of chapters. Where’s the lie? THE REAL SECRET TO NEVER RUNNING OUT OF GEMS At the end of the day, the real secret to getting gems and passes the legit way is patience, strategy, and a little bit of obsession. * Log in every day (even if it’s just to tap a button). * Watch those ads (even if they’re annoying). * Play the waiting game (even if it feels like torture). * Enter contests (even if you’re not that good). * Refer friends (even if they judge you). * Spend smart (if you must spend at all). * Play older stories (because nostalgia is free). And most importantly? Don’t stress too much. Episode is supposed to be fun, not a second job. If you’re really struggling, take a break. Read a book. Watch a movie. Live your life. (But also… come back soon. We both know you will.) NOW IT’S YOUR TURN! What’s your favorite way to get free gems and passes? Do you have any sneaky tricks I didn’t mention? (No judgment here—I need to know.) Drop your tips in the comments, and let’s help each other game the system (the legal way, of course). And if you found this helpful, share it with your Episode-addicted friends! The more gems we all have, the more drama we can unlock. Win-win. Happy reading, my fellow story junkies! 📖✨ — Your friendly neighborhood Episode addict 😉