Mobile/Desktop View toggle

Product Support

AI-generated summary

In a discussion titled ‘Mobile/Desktop View toggle’ under the Support category, MihirR asked if it’s possible to disable the manual toggle between mobile and desktop views, preferring an automatic, device-based switch. merefield clarified that the toggle is user-controlled and automated by default. MihirR further explained wanting to remove customization options like theme switching and view toggles for minimalism. Jagster suggested using a single theme and avoiding components. merefield offered technical workarounds—using URL parameters or CSS to hide the toggle—but questioned the rationale. MihirR appreciated the CSS suggestion, later admitting they should’ve used common sense [7]. Lilly and satonotdead warned that hiding the toggle frustrates tablet users, who often default to desktop view and rely on the toggle for mobile usability. Jagster illustrated this with screenshots comparing mobile and desktop layouts. Convinced, MihirR thanked the community and changed their mind. The consensus: the toggle is essential for user flexibility, especially for tablet users.

1

Would it be possible to directly switch between mobile and desktop views, rather than toggling between them? I know it can be programmatically done but is there a simple option in discourse admin panel?

2

What is “switching between” if not “toggling”?

This is already done automatically.

3

I mean there’s an option of mobile and desktop view, right? In which we can manually toggle, but when I log in through a mobile device do I still see that option? If yes, can I remove it and simple do it something like when it’s on desktop it will remain in desktop mode only and similarly with mobile view.

Majorly if you could let me know if there’s a possibility to remove certain things like changing the theme and toggling between mobile and desktop.

4

As an admin? Use only one theme and don’t use either components.

5

Desktop/mobile view is a personal choice whilst also automated, not an admin setting.

You can create a URL to set it, like so example.com?mobile_view=0 so maybe you could use nginx to redirect everyone to that?

You could also hide the toggle with CSS.

I’m not sure why you would ever want to do this though?!

6

Just to keep minimalist, also thanks for the css thing I would work that way :slight_smile:

7

Now I feel I should have used some common sense here :frowning:

Thanks for the answer, it was indeed helpful.

8

don’t hide that button, people on tablets will be very annoyed.

9

Unfortunately tablet users usually see the forum like desktop and not mobile (and I don’t know why) so the toggle is mandatory for them.

10

That’s why:

A screenshot of a discussion forum showing a mobile view toggle with user comments and interactions. (Captioned by AI)
A screenshot of a discussion forum showing a mobile view toggle with user comments and interactions. (Captioned by AI)2360×1640 363 KB

Vs.

This image shows a discussion on a forum about the necessity of a Mobile/Desktop View toggle for tablet users who prefer to access the forum in a desktop view. (Captioned by AI)
This image shows a discussion on a forum about the necessity of a Mobile/Desktop View toggle for tablet users who prefer to access the forum in a desktop view. (Captioned by AI)2360×1640 185 KB

11

I see, you changed my mind. Thank you!