Access App from Mobile Browser | Applications | Zoho Creator Help

Access App from Mobile Browser

Every business or organization, when considering its mobile presence, comes across the question—whether to build a mobile app or a mobile website, or both. The answer to this primarily depends on factors such as the purpose of the mobile presence, desired end-user experience, the budget. The advantage of building your custom applications using Zoho Creator is that you get all this out of the box, and for free.

When accessed from mobile browsers, your Zoho Creator apps become Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).

Access app as Progressive Web App (PWA)

A PWA is one that enables a native app-like experience on a mobile browser. This technology offers a dual advantage. Firstly, for your usersyour apps will enable a native mobile app-like experience on their mobile browsers. Secondly, for you, the app owner—this offers a quick and platform-independent means of app distribution. In other words, your users will be able to access your apps from any mobile device that supports browsing the internet.

Note:
  • The level of access a PWA has to the mobile device's native capabilities is subject the capabilities of the browser they're run on.
  • A PWA is not be understood as a replacement of a native mobile app. Given that its a growing technology, you may consider it simply as another way to access your apps.

When a user accesses your Zoho Creator app as a PWA, they'll have access to the following features and experience the following limits:

Supported native features

  • In Android devices, your apps will support capturing location, taking pictures using the device's camera, recording audio and video, and using the pull-to-refresh gesture.
  • In iOS devices, your apps will support recording videos and taking pictures. Also, when your users access the image, video, and file upload fields, they'll be allowed to access the Files iOS app to upload the required media file. These options will appear upon tapping the upload icon in these fields. For example, below is how a file upload field's options will appear:


  • You can enable scanning QR code and bar code property to allow users to enter input in your form fields, upon scanning the required data. This property is applicable to the following fields: single line, multi line, email, URL, number, percent, currency, and decimal.

Adding app to a mobile device's home screen

Your users and customers can add your Zoho Creator apps to their mobile device's home screen — thus giving a native mobile app-like experience. This option will also be available at the individual app level.

  • When your iOS users access your apps using the Safari browser, they'll see the Add to Home Screen option in the share sheet.
    The first time your iOS users access your PWA (by tapping on the app icon from their Home screen), they'll have to sign in again.
  • When your Android users access your apps using the Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers:
    • First time visitors will see the Add Zoho Creator to Home screen option at the bottom of their mobile browser
    • This option will be available under their mobile browser's More menu.

    Android - Add ZC to Home screen
    Android - Add app to Home screen

  • When your Android customers access your application's portal using Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers, they'll see the option to add it to their device's home screen. For example, below is an example of how it'll look on the sign-in page. Additionally, this option will be available under the mobile browser's More menu.

Appearance in Android and iOS devices

  • Form appearance comparison on Android:
    From left to right, the images below show a form when accessed from a PWA and from a native mobile app, respectively:

  • Report appearance comparison on Android:
    From left to right, the images below show a report when accessed from a PWA and from a native mobile app, respectively:


  • Page appearance comparison on Android:
    From left to right, the images below show a page when accessed from a PWA and from a native mobile app, respectively:
    Android - Page
  • Report appearance comparison on iOS:
    From left to right, the images below show a report when accessed from a PWA and from a native mobile app, respectively:



  • Page appearance comparison on iOS:
    From left to right, the images below show a page when accessed from a PWA and from a native mobile app, respectively:
    iOS - Report

Known limits while accessing application as PWA

  • The forms with a multi-column layout will be displayed in the standard one-column layout
  • The kanban report does not support dragging and dropping a record from one column to another
  • The application sections and components in them will be ordered as per the web customization and not as per of phone or tablet customization
  • The first application theme and color will be applied, as shown in the Themes - Web pane

      Create. Review. Publish.

      Write, edit, collaborate on, and publish documents to different content management platforms.

      Get Started Now


        Access your files securely from anywhere

          Zoho CRM Training Programs

          Learn how to use the best tools for sales force automation and better customer engagement from Zoho's implementation specialists.

          Zoho CRM Training
            Redefine the way you work
            with Zoho Workplace

              Zoho DataPrep Personalized Demo

              If you'd like a personalized walk-through of our data preparation tool, please request a demo and we'll be happy to show you how to get the best out of Zoho DataPrep.

              Zoho CRM Training

                Create, share, and deliver

                beautiful slides from anywhere.

                Get Started Now


                  Zoho Sign now offers specialized one-on-one training for both administrators and developers.

                  BOOK A SESSION







                              Quick LinksWorkflow AutomationData Collection
                              Web FormsEnterpriseOnline Data Collection Tool
                              Embeddable FormsBankingBegin Data Collection
                              Interactive FormsWorkplaceData Collection App
                              CRM FormsCustomer ServiceAccessible Forms
                              Digital FormsMarketingForms for Small Business
                              HTML FormsEducationForms for Enterprise
                              Contact FormsE-commerceForms for any business
                              Lead Generation FormsHealthcareForms for Startups
                              Wordpress FormsCustomer onboardingForms for Small Business
                              No Code FormsConstructionRSVP tool for holidays
                              Free FormsTravelFeatures for Order Forms
                              Prefill FormsNon-Profit
                              Intake FormsLegalMobile App
                              Form DesignerHRMobile Forms
                              Card FormsFoodOffline Forms
                              Assign FormsPhotographyMobile Forms Features
                              Translate FormsReal EstateKiosk in Mobile Forms
                              Electronic Forms
                              Drag & drop form builder

                              Notification Emails for FormsAlternativesSecurity & Compliance
                              Holiday FormsGoogle Forms alternative GDPR
                              Form to PDFJotform alternativeHIPAA Forms
                              Email FormsEncrypted Forms

                              Secure Forms

                              WCAG

                                      Create. Review. Publish.

                                      Write, edit, collaborate on, and publish documents to different content management platforms.

                                      Get Started Now






                                                        You are currently viewing the help pages of Qntrl’s earlier version. Click here to view our latest version—Qntrl 3.0's help articles.




                                                            Manage your brands on social media

                                                              Use cases

                                                              Make the most of Zoho Desk with the use cases.

                                                               
                                                                

                                                              eBooks

                                                              Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho Desk.

                                                               
                                                                

                                                              Videos

                                                              Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho Desk.

                                                               
                                                                

                                                              Webinar

                                                              Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho Desk basics, from customization to automation and more

                                                               
                                                                
                                                              • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                              • Meetups


                                                              • Ask the Experts


                                                              • Kbase


                                                              • Resources


                                                              • Glossary


                                                              • Desk Marketplace


                                                              • MVP Corner

                                                                Zoho Sheet Resources

                                                                 

                                                                    Zoho Forms Resources


                                                                      Secure your business
                                                                      communication with Zoho Mail


                                                                      Mail on the move with
                                                                      Zoho Mail mobile application

                                                                        Stay on top of your schedule
                                                                        at all times


                                                                        Carry your calendar with you
                                                                        Anytime, anywhere




                                                                              Zoho Sign Resources

                                                                                Sign, Paperless!

                                                                                Sign and send business documents on the go!

                                                                                Get Started Now




                                                                                        Zoho TeamInbox Resources





                                                                                                  Zoho DataPrep Demo

                                                                                                  Get a personalized demo or POC

                                                                                                  REGISTER NOW


                                                                                                    Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                                    Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                                    Get Started Now









                                                                                                                        • Related Articles

                                                                                                                        • Understanding rebranded mobile app

                                                                                                                          This help page is for users in Creator 6. If you are in the older version (Creator 5), click here. Know your Creator version. Zoho Creator enables you to download your creator application as a separate mobile app for iOS and Android devices. This ...
                                                                                                                        • Access App on Web

                                                                                                                          Access app as the app owner After making changes in an app as the app owner, you might want to see how the app looks to the users accessing it. You can click Access This Application in the top right corner to access the live application. Once you ...
                                                                                                                        • Access App on iPhone

                                                                                                                          Overview The Zoho Creator native app for iPhone offers mobile access to all your Zoho Creator applications. The app is available for download from the App Store. You can access your Zoho Creator apps from the drop-down at the top of your Zoho Creator ...
                                                                                                                        • Access App on iPad

                                                                                                                          The Zoho Creator native app for iPad offers mobile access to all your Zoho Creator applications. The app is available for download from the App store. You can access your Zoho Creator apps from the drop-down at the top of your Zoho Creator dashboard. ...
                                                                                                                        • Understanding app menu

                                                                                                                          1. In a nutshell The app menu in Zoho Creator allows visual and logical grouping of your application components(such as forms, reports, and pages), making navigation intuitive for users. The app menu can be customized through the app menu builder in ...
                                                                                                                          Wherever you are is as good as
                                                                                                                          your workplace

                                                                                                                            Resources

                                                                                                                            Videos

                                                                                                                            Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                            eBooks

                                                                                                                            Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                            Webinars

                                                                                                                            Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho CRM basics, from customization to sales force automation and more.



                                                                                                                            CRM Tips

                                                                                                                            Make the most of Zoho CRM with these useful tips.



                                                                                                                              Zoho Show Resources