# Out of the Hat

> Randomly selects items from user-defined groups via device shake or tap. (iPhone/iPad app by Cidrosoft.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/out-of-the-hat/id528969682 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cidrosoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/456383451)
- Category: Utilities, Education
- Price: $0.99
- Rating: 3.20/5 from 40 App Store ratings · 59 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 6 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, European Spanish
- Released: 2012-05-31
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/out-of-the-hat/id528969682/reviews.md

## What is Out of the Hat?

Introduction

Have you ever needed to pick random names out of a hat? Pick your random numbers for the lottery? Out of the Hat is designed to do just that. 

Groups

Create groups of names, numbers or any other collections. You can create as many different groups as you like. 

Items

For each group you can create items, names or numbers. 

Hat

Choose a group to be entered into the hat. In order to pick an item either shake your iOS device or tap once on the screen. Your unique name or number will be pulled from the hat. Each time you pick a new item will be picked from the group until all items have been picked. 

The hat can be reset by selecting the same group again or selecting another group.


"Teachers are finding Out of the Hat useful for fairly selecting students to answer questions."

## Key features

- Create custom groups
- Add names or numbers to groups
- Randomly pick items by shaking device
- Randomly pick items by tapping screen
- Picks until all items are exhausted
- Reset hat easily

## Recent user reviews (10 of 59)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/out-of-the-hat/id528969682/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Fun game of chance

*2023-11-14, version 1.3.1*

Using this app is easier than cutting pre-prepared strips of paper to pull out of a hat. It works pretty well.

However, I wish the the hint screen would’t pop up so frequently. It would also be useful if one could add the same name multiple times without having to retype it.

### 5/5 — Perfect!

*2022-11-15, version 1.3.1*

This app is exactly what I needed. I had to prepare a draw of 10 people on my 80 member team, virtually. I didn’t want anyone thinking it wasn’t all above board, especially if I was one of the people selected. Once I understood the very simple way to use the app, it was all systems go.

### 4/5 — Perfect But One Problem

*2021-12-19, version 1.3.1*

It is a very good app. Very useful for choosing names, but if I type something really long it gets cut out. Can you fix that please?

### 1/5 — A waste of money and time🤦🏽‍♀️

*2020-11-25, version 1.3.1*

Worthless it does nothing. It need to come with better instructions.

### 1/5 — Load of crap!

*2019-06-20, version 1.3.1*

Useless app. Don’t buy it.

### 4/5 — Adequate

*2019-03-27, version 1.3.1*

Navigating menu is clumsy but I am old.

### 5/5 — No hints

*2019-02-05, version 1.3.1*

This game is awesome but when I try to type it gives me hints and I am like "PLEASE STOP GIVING HINTS!"

### 3/5 — Needs improvements

*2019-01-27, version 1.3.1*

The app is okay. It needs some improvements. You should be able to type the name once and go back in and add the same name multiple times without having to retype the name. Also, it need to give a total of each name as well as a total of all the names.

### 5/5 — Ooth

*2018-11-25, version 1.3.1*

This app has a easy interface which makes it easy to use. I've used this app to draw names for Christmas gift giving and for the dinner dish selection. I would love to see future updates where you can customize the hat, have more fonts as well as ink colors in order to coordinate with your theme or the season in which you are using it for.

### 5/5 — Kendra from KY.

*2017-09-13, version 1.3.0*

Works great for me to use in my business when I have drawings for prizes. I appreciate the simplicity!

## Frequently asked questions about Out of the Hat

### What does Out of the Hat do?

Out of the Hat is a utility app designed to randomly select items from user-created groups. You can use it to pick random names, numbers, or any other collection of items. It simulates picking from a hat by drawing one item at a time.

### How do I use the app to pick an item?

To pick an item, first create a group and add your desired names or numbers. Then, select that group to be entered into the hat. You can then either shake your iOS device or tap once on the screen to draw a unique item from the group.

### Is Out of the Hat free to use?

Yes, Out of the Hat is a free application. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in its description, indicating it is completely free for users.

### What kind of groups can I create?

You can create groups for names, numbers, or virtually any other collection of items you need to randomly select from. The app allows for an unlimited number of different groups to be created, offering flexibility for various use cases.

### Who would find this app useful?

This app is useful for anyone needing to make random selections. This includes individuals picking lottery numbers, teachers fairly selecting students to answer questions, or groups deciding on a random participant for an activity.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.3.1 — 2018-10-22

New return to hat function.
General fixes and improvements.

### 1.3.0 — 2016-01-09

iOS9 Support.
Improved layout and readability for inputs and lists.
Support dropped for iOS5 and below.

### 1.2.5 — 2015-03-14

Fix crash on User Name input.

### 1.2.4 — 2014-10-05

Editing users bug fixes
iOS8 support

### 1.2.3 — 2014-06-27

Fixed issues with add users button
Fixed navigation button name

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## Related topics

[cidrosoft](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cidrosoft) · [american pickers](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/american-pickers)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-11.*