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MNHQ

Viewing the desktop and mobile versions of Mumsnet

78 replies

JanineMumsnet · 02/09/2020 16:29

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

OP posts:
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12
SoupDragon · 08/09/2020 08:39

@tribpot

The desktop version is too small for mobile devices like tablets. If there is a general preference for mobile on smaller screens, would it be possible to fix it to mobile?

As an aside, forcing views like this is pretty shoddy in 2020.

No! I only ever use desktop on my iPad - it's not too small at all. I would absolutely not want it stuck on mobile.
tribpot · 08/09/2020 11:40

If you have that you should be able to override it
@BertieBotts no alas I cannot force it on to the mobile site using Chrome on my iPad.

@SoupDragon this is the problem, isn't it? Some people will want desktop on their tablets, others will want mobile. MN are removing the choice.

SoupDragon · 08/09/2020 12:32

can impact the functionality of some elements of the website

I'd like to know what elements these are because I've never noticed any problems.

tribpot · 08/09/2020 16:55

I interpreted this as interfering with blasting the users with ads.

BertieBotts · 08/09/2020 19:01

@SoupDragon

can impact the functionality of some elements of the website

I'd like to know what elements these are because I've never noticed any problems.

No, it doesn't work that way around unfortunately. :(
BertieBotts · 08/09/2020 19:01

Oops I quoted the wrong post. Meant to quote the one about not being able to force mobile mode on ipad.

LouisBalfour · 08/09/2020 19:48

So pleased I opened this thread. I hate the mobile view and used always to change it back on my phone if it changed.

Now I’ve got chrome on my phone so have switched back.

Blondeshavemorefun · 09/09/2020 08:37

I’m glad the annoying pop ups and ads have gone from chrome

As well we being able to flip via the dots

Redcrayons · 09/09/2020 19:27

Noooo I love the mobile site on my iPad.

I’ve tried on Chrome And Safari and even when I click ‘request mobile site’ it doesn’t change. Anyone managed to get the mobile site on iPad?

tribpot · 10/09/2020 06:15

No @Redcrayons it can't be done, as @BertieBotts explains above. MN have hard coded it so that the 'mobile' view on a tablet is the desktop view and you can't override it.

AlwaysLatte · 10/09/2020 06:39

What I would like to see is a bigger space for the thread titles when viewing on laptop - only half the titles show and it's really annoying!

Blondeshavemorefun · 10/09/2020 07:20

Maybe make screen smaller - I see all titles on laptop

Updownin · 10/09/2020 07:23

How do I hide topics on my phone without using the desktop link?

LoeliaPonsonby · 10/09/2020 07:32

I always used the mobile view on iPad, the desktop one is horrendous. I suspect that the ads are indeed the reason,

I do love Mumsnet but the user experience is stuck in Web 2.0!

tribpot · 10/09/2020 19:17

I just find it way too crowded @LoeliaPonsonby - the thread titles need the full width of the page. (May be different if you use the tablet in landscape rather than portrait ... just checked .. not really). If the right hand panel with 'Trending Now' and 'Mumsnet Jobs' was at least collapsible that would be something, but as that panel is where they blast the ads from .. I guess not.

LoeliaPonsonby · 10/09/2020 21:38

@BertieBotts

The chrome functionality to show desktop site is separate from what MNHQ are proposing. If you have that you should be able to override it and it won't cause problems for them in search engines.

They are just going to remove the quick link at the bottom of the page and maybe the ability to go to m. rather than www.

When you load a website these days the device you're using identifies itself as either a mobile or desktop device and the website will display accordingly. It's currently the case on MN that you can scroll right to the bottom and change your version, but it sounds like this is what will be removed. The chrome menu function simply changes how the device is identified to the website code.

But MN’s website breaks that - on iOS, if I ask Safari to request the mobile version, it just returns the same old desktop view.
BertieBotts · 10/09/2020 22:06

I don't know how Safari does it, but it's still working the other way around on Chrome.

You've never been able to request mobile version from desktop on Chrome so I don't know about how to do it that way, sorry.

SoupDragon · 10/09/2020 23:01

They are just going to remove the quick link at the bottom of the page and maybe the ability to go to m. rather than www.

No, they are now going to force the versions on you depending on your device. The link has been gone for weeks.

Updownin · 11/09/2020 07:49

How you you access the stuff you had to switch to desktop for - hiding topics being the function I used the most?

BertieBotts · 11/09/2020 12:15

My hidden topics stay hidden on the mobile site Confused don't yours?

SoupDragon · 11/09/2020 14:26

I think it is the actual act of hiding them that is the problem, not seeing them.

Updownin · 11/09/2020 17:40

Yes - there is no way to hide new ones now!

BertieBotts · 11/09/2020 19:17

Oh right! Yeah they really need to make all the options changeable on the mobile site as well, surely this can't be very hard?

Updownin · 20/09/2020 08:35

I would still really like to know Mn how on the mobile site I hide topics I don't want to see.

CourtneeLuv · 29/08/2022 23:16

Is the app going to get all the functions of the desktop version then?

I need to find a thread I was on and I can't because it's dropped off my watching and threads I'm on lists 🤬

Why don't you just shut the site down if you dont want people to use it?!