A phpBB mobile app

[danieltj]

Oh hey there

So I've been thinking for a few weeks, what if a phpBB mobile app existed? I've seen quite a few topics over the years mentioning this so it's certainly something people would like to have but I'd like to see if it's still something people would be interested in and what would it actually do? It's one of those things that sounds great in theory but I guess it depends on what it actually does as to whether it would be useful for users.

So, what would you like to see in a phpBB mobile app if there was one?

There's a few pros and cons to a native mobile app and it's important to distinguish that here. I'm talking about a native mobile app for iOS and Android. Not a PWA or responsive website, an actual proper mobile application.

This is not an exhaustive list and is also very opinionated...

Pros

• Login once and stay logged in... forever?
• Fast access to forum tools (like ACP and MCP features).
• Navigate the forum much faster.
• Perform specialised actions (mass edits/GUI CLI commands).

Cons

• Requires an API for phpBB (this is the main blocker).
• No extensions would be supported by default due to all the custom code that is run inside of them.
• Styles would not be supported in their current format. A new mobile style system would be required.
• Constant updates required to ensure compatibility between the forum and app bridge (version compatibility etc).

So tell me, what would you like to see in a phpBB mobile application and what sort of challenges would you face if you were to use one? Like, does your forum have a very specific workflow for how content is posted that requires custom code through an extension? What platform would you use said app on; Apple or Android?

it's important to note here there are no plans to make a mobile app right now. I'm just gauging interest here and opening a discussion. I know that some people might not see a need for a mobile app and that's valid. But everyone loves an app these days right... RIGHT?

[nou nou]

I think the cons are too much, I have spent an enormous amount of time to make my forum look and work the way it is, and it sounds like a mobile app would reduce its value in that sense.

I AM - as you know - very interested in an API, though.

As for forums on mobile, I am testing this currently and I'm about ready to launch it on my site:

https://phpbbgroup.com/viewtopic.php?t=37

It's all I want and need, really, a fantastic extension and the author gives excellent support for custom styles.

[danieltj]

That's probably the biggest issue I guess. Any kind of extension functionality simply wouldn't be transferred to the app so you'd end up with a vanilla phpBB forum essentially.

[AbuHossam]

I believe I want to ask: Do you mean that this will be a dedicated mobile application for a phpBB forum/website? Or will this be a standardization for all websites using phpBB software?

[_Vinny_]

That's probably the biggest issue I guess. Any kind of extension functionality simply wouldn't be transferred to the app so you'd end up with a vanilla phpBB forum essentially.

Some time ago I tried to create an app using Android WebView. It is not the best solution, as it runs the responsive version, for a better experience, it would be necessary to change prosilver's responsive layout to fit the equivalent of a native app.

An equivalent option for iOS.

[amulheirn]

I'm very interested in such an app.

My main issue is that the use of our forum seems to have dropped a lot since the advent of Facebook, Instagram and so on. I think this is because those apps are so easy to use - take a photo, stick some words under it, post. People are very visual - the ability to post photos on phpBB sites is there, but not very front and centre of the user experience, so lots of our users don't use it.

I think if we could make the mobile user experience better, usage might rise.

Just my 2 cents,

Andrew

[nou nou]

For every social network that is a success there have been THOUSANDS that have been complete flops.

Forums can be hugely popular if you fill them with quality content that people want - however niche it may be. It's a lot of work though.

It's no coincidence that forums in particular are being targeted by AI bots right now. Unlike social networks, they are reliable sources of carefully curated knowledge - by humans! - and incredibly valuable.

Not that the likes of OpenAI intend to pay for any of it - that's something that legislation will have to catch up with. And I think it will, Europe is on the right path already.