Freegle Mobile app: Difference between revisions

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The Freegle Mobile phone app provides access to Freegle Direct (FD) groups on Android and iOS phone and tablet devices. The app is currently in development.  Supported devices:
The Freegle app gives access to Freegle communities on Android and Apple iOS phones and tablets.


* Android 4.0+
==Current versions==
* IOS 6+ ie iPhone 3GS onwards
The current app versions are shown on the ModTools Dashboard.


The Android development build can be installed by anyone with the link; installation of apps from unknown sources must be enabled
In October 2025, Chris Cant retired, so new app releases are now generated automatically - see https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/app-releases-android-testing-needed-please/9075 and https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/app-releases-ios/9101


The iOS development build can only be installed on devices which are known to the developer ie where the UDID has been provided.  Use iTunes to find your UDID: http://whatsmyudid.com/ or this technique http://get.udid.io/
[[File:Dashboard app info.png|450px]]


=Current issues...=
==Notes==
On 13.9.22, Google Play Store showed the Freegle app on Android had 29,223 installs, and ModTools 131 installs. There isn't comparable data for iOS, though various stats are available - for example, almost 24,000 downloads of the Freegle app in the year to that point.


* Google and Yahoo sign in or register not implemented yet
On 29.11.22, Google Play Store showed the Freegle app on Android had passed 100,000 downloads, and ModTools 100+.
* If you use Google or Yahoo to sign in to Freegle Direct you can create a password at https://direct.ilovefreegle.org/ using the forgot password functionality.
* The app has no settings or lost password functionality so it sends you to the web version.


=Functionality=
==Reports on app feedback==
*May 2024 - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K4xNeGnplp0tz-Iqbeii0zt4uF4id4lOr5jDc-TINt4/edit?usp=drivesdk
*June 2024 - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Uu-YsmJOmL4uPX4ZpCDLGx5Q_cpKw8dBbmKXKi_EHdo/edit?usp=sharing
*July 2024 - https://docs.google.com/document/d/14eUMXZ1_Kg82Gn1zJnVlAP5KQgcBDCRucaUnTTfch8k/edit?usp=sharing
*August 2024 - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZhxuSZvHFMGb5ESKyaWQkmWkK_P3_TAKcdxV1h0L2BI/edit?pli=1#heading=h.cozd53bn9kul
*September 2024 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/freegle-app-reviews-for-september-2024/7954
*October 2024 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/freegle-app-reviews-october-2024/8020
*November 2024 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/freegle-app-reviews-november-2024/8097
*December 2024 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/freegle-app-reviews-december-2024/8176
*January 2025 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/freegle-app-reviews-for-january-2025/8265
*February 2025 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/freegle-app-reviews-for-february-2025/8367
*March & April 2025 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/freegle-app-reviews-march-and-april-2025/8534
*May & June 2025 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/freegle-app-reviews-may-and-june-2025/8701
*July 2025 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/freegle-app-reviews-july-2025/8804


Note: The 4th and 5th found groups are currently forced to be the Freegle Playground and a Mobile app test FD group.
==Supported devices==
*Android 5.1 (first released 2 March 2015) or later
*iOS 13+ for Apple devices


* First time user: find nearest FD groups, preview items, register using Facebook or email/password and join group
==ModTools app==
* Existing user: Sign in using Facebook or email/password.  Google and Yahoo sign in not supported yet.
There is also a ModTools app for Freegle volunteers. The latest version is noted on the ModTools Dashboard.
* View current posts, inc search (for one word) and All/Wanted/Offers.  New message count shown; Load more messages. Shows photos on post (tap to expand). Shows map (tap to open Google maps in browser). Reply (if not your post).
* Send OFFER or REQUEST to one of your groups with optional photo.  If offline, then post is queued for delivery when online.
* My posts shows the correspondence about the posts you started (with unread messages highlighted)
* View current settings
* Leave a group, join another group
* Send contact message to group owner. If offline, then message is queued for delivery when online.
* Send Chris App Feedback - includes the internal log.
* Sign out and Unsubscribe
* "About Freegle" page
* "Disclaimer" page
* "How to Freegle" page
* "Thanks" page
* FD status report available
* App configurable at runtime
* Logs anonymous app use with platform info at startup


=Confirmed OK devices=
A major overhaul of the ModTools app was implemented in June 2025.


* Fairphone Android 4.2.2
*19.1.25 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/modtools-app-0-3-113/8230
* Nexus 7, Android 4.4.4 and Android 5.0.2
*12.12.24 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/modtools-app-0-3-111/8131
* iPad 2, iOS 8.1
*26.10.24 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/modtools-app-0-3-110/8012
* iPhone 3GS, iOS 6.1.6
*25.10.24 - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/modtools-app-0-3-109/8002
* HTC One, Android 4.4.3
*12.08.24 - catching up with recent changes, including:
* Axius Q8, 4.1.1
**Show quicker chat review
* Versus Touchpad 7, Android 4.0.4
**Handle system-added community events
**Change wording on publicity posts
**Allow Support to trigger an unsubscribe for a user
**Allow all mods to see systemwide stats now that we're on faster hosting
**Not displaying old image thumbnails
*15.4.24 - fixed the "View message on ModTools" bug, and other updates - https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/no-more-ios-mt-app-updates-for-a-while/7326


=Not working devices=
==App links==
Users can find the app by searching for Freegle in their app store. These links are also available:
*https://www.ilovefreegle.org/mobile/
*https://freegle.it/android
*https://freegle.it/ios


=Screenshots=
==Features==
The Freegle app uses the same code as the main Freegle website, so it generally has the same functionality and look-and-feel as the website on a mobile device.


[[File:Fairphone_Screenshot_2014-11-20-19-24-23.png|x400px|Start up screen]]
Where needed, the app has extra or different functionality for phone use, such as:
[[File:Fairphone_Screenshot_2014-11-20-19-24-54.png|x400px|Finding a group]]
*Receiving notifications
[[File:Nexus_7_Screenshot_2015-01-23-09-14-03.png|x400px|Viewing posts and asking for a bed]]
*Logging in within the app, including Facebook, Google, Yahoo and [[Sign in with Apple]] on iOS
[[File:Nexus_Screenshot_2014-11-20-19-18-58.png|x400px|Posting an OFFER]]
*Sharing posts using other phone apps
[[File:IPhone3GS_screenshot_IMG_0144.PNG|x400px|Replying to respondents]]
*Direct access to take photos
[[File:Fairphone_Screenshot_2015-01-23-09-00-21.png|x400px|Signing in]]
*Opening website links within the app
[[File:Fairphone_Screenshot_2015-01-23-09-28-25.png|x400px|Registering]]
*Saving handover events to your calendar


==Beta tester==
If you're interested in being a beta tester: to get the beta version of an app, the app must already be installed on your device.


[[category:Freegle App]]
*Open the Play Store.
*At the top right, tap the profile icon.
*Tap 'Manage apps and devices', then 'Installed'.
*Tap the app to open its details page.
*Under 'Join the beta', tap 'Join', then 'Join' again.
 
==Thanks==
The app's original development was part-funded by Cumbria County Council, the Sustain Eden project, and donations to Freegle, in 2014.
 
Chris Cant developed the ModTools and website apps, and maintained them until September 2025.
 
Further donations to help with development or improvements are welcome: https://www.ilovefreegle.org/donate/
 
[[Category:Moderating with ModTools]]

Latest revision as of 12:00, 17 July 2026

The Freegle app gives access to Freegle communities on Android and Apple iOS phones and tablets.

Current versions

The current app versions are shown on the ModTools Dashboard.

In October 2025, Chris Cant retired, so new app releases are now generated automatically - see https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/app-releases-android-testing-needed-please/9075 and https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/app-releases-ios/9101

Notes

On 13.9.22, Google Play Store showed the Freegle app on Android had 29,223 installs, and ModTools 131 installs. There isn't comparable data for iOS, though various stats are available - for example, almost 24,000 downloads of the Freegle app in the year to that point.

On 29.11.22, Google Play Store showed the Freegle app on Android had passed 100,000 downloads, and ModTools 100+.

Reports on app feedback

Supported devices

  • Android 5.1 (first released 2 March 2015) or later
  • iOS 13+ for Apple devices

ModTools app

There is also a ModTools app for Freegle volunteers. The latest version is noted on the ModTools Dashboard.

A major overhaul of the ModTools app was implemented in June 2025.

App links

Users can find the app by searching for Freegle in their app store. These links are also available:

Features

The Freegle app uses the same code as the main Freegle website, so it generally has the same functionality and look-and-feel as the website on a mobile device.

Where needed, the app has extra or different functionality for phone use, such as:

  • Receiving notifications
  • Logging in within the app, including Facebook, Google, Yahoo and Sign in with Apple on iOS
  • Sharing posts using other phone apps
  • Direct access to take photos
  • Opening website links within the app
  • Saving handover events to your calendar

Beta tester

If you're interested in being a beta tester: to get the beta version of an app, the app must already be installed on your device.

  • Open the Play Store.
  • At the top right, tap the profile icon.
  • Tap 'Manage apps and devices', then 'Installed'.
  • Tap the app to open its details page.
  • Under 'Join the beta', tap 'Join', then 'Join' again.

Thanks

The app's original development was part-funded by Cumbria County Council, the Sustain Eden project, and donations to Freegle, in 2014.

Chris Cant developed the ModTools and website apps, and maintained them until September 2025.

Further donations to help with development or improvements are welcome: https://www.ilovefreegle.org/donate/