Viewing the desktop and mobile versions of Mumsnet

[JanineMumsnet]

Dear all,

We wanted to let you know that we are shortly going to be removing the ability to manually switch the view of the website from desktop to mobile and vice versa. The reason for doing this is because an incorrect view of MN for the device you are using (eg a desktop view on a mobile device) can impact the functionality of some elements of the website, and this causes real problems with Google and the way they view and rank us.

So from today, if you use a mobile device to access the site you will only be able to see the mobile view, if you view on a desktop device you will only see the desktop view and those using a tablet will also only see the desktop view. We're sorry if this impacts your enjoyment of the site - we know that a very few Mumsnetters do use the link to view the site differently - but we do need to do this or it will cause lots of problems going forward.

If you have any particular concerns or queries do please post them here.

MNHQ

Is there anyway of increasing font size on the desktop version? The writing is too small on my iPad and it’s giving me a headache. I’m fine with other sites but of course most websites are now adaptive to device size rather than having only a mobile and a desktop version.

Nooooooo. Love desktop on iphone.

Had the mobile app. So much harder to navigate :(

Plus since taking it away and having to do mobile on iphone I keep getting this all over the topics

Making very hard to read

What counts as a mobile device?

Hi @SoupDragon a mobile device would be a smartphone or tablet.

I have a Surface which I can switch from tablet to desktop mode - will I still be able to use the desktop version if I'm in desktop mode?

I'm one of the "very few" who like desktop on my phone

@soniamumsnet

Hi *@SoupDragon* a mobile device would be a smartphone or tablet.

So you are saying I won't be able to use the desktop site on my iPad.

The OP says those using a tablet will also only see the desktop view. though which contradicts that.

I'm one of the "very few" who like desktop on my phone

I far prefer the desktop site on everything. And have never had any issues with "functionality" (whatever that means!)

I’m on iPad and have desktop. Yah,,

But not on my iPhone :(

How does that work

Mumsnet you have contradicted yourselves x

I have an iPad it’s impossible to use in desktop mode.

I love desktop again

@Crocky

Mumsnet you have contradicted yourselves x

Yes they have

Nooooo I love the desktop version on my phone :(

Hi @SoupDragon apologies but @soniamumsnet was mistaken here, if you are on tablet you will see the desktop version of the site. And as for what counts as a mobile device, these are smart phones.

@Blondeshavemorefun this should not be happening - do you have more detail about the browser and device you are using here?

@thecapitalsunited you should be able to increase the text size within the browser you are using, so if you're using safari there are instructions here support.apple.com/en-gb/HT207209

@JanineMumsnet There’s no way to do that with Chrome though which I is what I use on my iPad. I think desktop works for the bigger iPads but for me on the mini it’s just too small. And I prefer the quick link buttons on the mobile version. No scrolling up and down to get to where I want to go. Also the link you posted was for MacOS Sierra which is the desktop OS. Apple tablets and phones run iOS so those instructions wouldn’t have been very helpful.

As I said upthread, other sites manage to have adaptive websites which fit themselves to the available space rather than having mobile or a desktop only. This is such a backward step for an already backward platform. An online platform stuck together with sellotape and prayers just doesn’t work in 2020.

[quote JanineMumsnet]Hi @SoupDragon apologies but @soniamumsnet was mistaken here, if you are on tablet you will see the desktop version of the site. And as for what counts as a mobile device, these are smart phones.

@Blondeshavemorefun this should not be happening - do you have more detail about the browser and device you are using here?

@thecapitalsunited you should be able to increase the text size within the browser you are using, so if you're using safari there are instructions here support.apple.com/en-gb/HT207209[/quote]
It’s driving me nuts @JanineMumsnet :(

Doesn’t seem to be on your blue reply but otherwise all over the page

IPhone 7 and opera touch

Used to use safari and Firefox but had so many pop up adverts

Never had this before till you dropped the desktop so something has been tweaked lol

@JanineMumsnet seems doesn’t show on poster mine or mnhq replies

as for what counts as a mobile device, these are smart phones

So just call them smartphones 😂😂

@Blondeshavemorefun that screen shot is really useful showing the OP reply. I will share with our developers and see if it can be fixed.

[quote JanineMumsnet]@Blondeshavemorefun that screen shot is really useful showing the OP reply. I will share with our developers and see if it can be fixed.[/quote]
Thanks @JanineMumsnet

Seems to be fine on safari at the moment

Just checked

But that’s not the user I usually use

I use opera touch

Which I know is prob rare and not many use it

My tablet is only showing the mobile site which I loathe, how can I switch it the desktop site?

I might be being a bit dense here, but I use a Samsung Galaxy S10. I'm using Chrome. I can click 'desktop site' in Chrome, and I see the desktop version. If I turn that off, I see the mobile version. In what way are you 'stopping' me seeing the desktop version?

@werekitty if you're using Chrome, the 3 dots has 'show desktop site' - that switches to desktop mode. But I'm not sure we're meant to be able to do that any more?

Thanks, I'm using Chrome but I can't see the three dots anymore

@werekitty

Thanks, I'm using Chrome but I can't see the three dots anymore

Have you tried tapping the screen or dragging down from the top, slightly? I find that the header with the URL gets hidden and doing that reveals it (and the 3 dots).