App help

[DixieFlatline]

Got a new phone and trying to remember how to install the app on Android. I thought if I went to the website in Chrome, it would prompt me to download but can't seem to get that working. Can anyone give me some guidance?

Thanks

Dixie

 

[DixieFlatline]

So I found this old thread with the initial instructions and the same issue I had about a year ago. https://www.bgobsession.com/threads/new-feature-bgo-app-with-push-notifications.179695/#post-475676

At that time, I cleared cookies in both my Chrome and Brave browser and then it worked (got the pop-up to install the app). However, that is not working now. Push Notifications are enabled. I use my phone for work as well and found they had turned off the ability to install unknown sources. I fixed that for both browsers and started over, but still no luck.

Anyone have any thoughts? Might it be possible to send me the apk file?

 

[Boone]

DixieFlatline - apologize as I am just now seeing this. Let me see if I have the APK file...

 

[Boone]

Dixie - have you tried turning it off in your settings and THEN clearing caches and see if you get the notification? I'm not sure what the issue is....It's been awhile since we implemented this so my memory of some of the nuances isn't as fresh as I'd like? I can post it in the modification support forum on Xenforo and see if the mod creator can give us some guidance. So basically, it was working, but then you got a new Android phone and now it doesn't function (even though you have it turned on in preferences) nor does it prompt you to download? Is that right?

Did you set it up in SAFARI - as that is how the original instructions dictated you do it? Has to be using SAFARI...

 

[DixieFlatline]

Dixie - have you tried turning it off in your settings and THEN clearing caches and see if you get the notification? I'm not sure what the issue is....It's been awhile since we implemented this so my memory of some of the nuances isn't as fresh as I'd like? I can post it in the modification support forum on Xenforo and see if the mod creator can give us some guidance. So basically, it was working, but then you got a new Android phone and now it doesn't function (even though you have it turned on in preferences) nor does it prompt you to download? Is that right?

Did you set it up in SAFARI - as that is how the original instructions dictated you do it? Has to be using SAFARI...

Yep..I tried all that. I clear cache constantly (and erased data to be overly sure) after every change I try and still can't get it. I don't think Safari is available on android, so maybe a post in the forum may help. Sorry to be such a pain.

I'm not quite clear what you mean when you say 'turned on in preferences'. Do you mean I enabled push notifications after going to the site for the first time? If so then yes that was turned on.

 

[Boone]

I would just re-check in 'Preferences' that you are seeing a 'Disable Push Notifications' button (meaning that you have it set to enable push notifications). One of the flaws in this modification is that push notifications frequently get turned off and you may have to 're-enable'. Make sure they are actually currently enabled in preferences.

My understanding for Android devices was that you should get a pop-up asking if you want push notifications enabled. I know you said you aren't getting that like you originally did. Have you tried logging out of the site and then logging back in?

 

[DixieFlatline]

Ok...so it does say 'Disable push notifications' in preferences so it sounds like that is what is expected. And yes, I log out every time before trying again since I wasn't sure what would prompt the pop-up.

I can start over while checking that setting in preferences every time just to see if that helps.

 

[Boone]

Dixie - I have posted the issue in the Xenforo mod forum... we'll see if anyone has any suggestions...

 

[Boone]

I never got any meaningful help on this one DixieFlatline - hoping maybe it resolved on it's own or you figured something out.

 

[Boone]

DixieFlatline, just a random thoughts. Have you gone to the BGO app settings on your phone and made sure that you actually have notification options selected? I doubt that's the issue, but since the site is showing notifications turned on in your BGO preferences, it almost has to be an issue with your phone (or possibly work blocking something). Worth looking.

 

[DixieFlatline]

Sorry...Haven't much time to try and work on this. Hopefully in the next day or so. It just takes some work for me to delete my work profile and start up again.

When you ask about the 'BGO app settings', what do you mean? I don't have the app installed. I am getting notifications from the browsers I've set up though.

 

[DixieFlatline]

Finally got around to messing with this again and no luck. Boone in your original instructions you mentioned there might be a menu item for 'Install App'. I don't see that in my drop down and wondered if you knew exactly where it may be in there.

 

[Boone]

Hey DixieFlatline, I updated to the newest version of the notifications app. See if it makes a difference and let me know if you are able to install and use now please...

I posted this in the 5 O'Clock club but after updating the notifications feature, I had to totally reinstall the app on my phone using the original instructions. I'm hoping maybe you will be able to get it working for you again now.

 

[DixieFlatline]

First try no luck but I'll keep playing with it. Thanks for letting me know. I got it working on my Android tablet a few weeks ago, so it's definitely some setting I haven't figured out on my phone.

 

[DixieFlatline]

Well...I had about given up on this installing but today I went into BGO with Chrome and it popped up asking to install. I had been in Chrome before but I think the difference this time Chrome was my default browser app.

So note for all Android users. If it's not installing, try making Chrome your default app and trying again.

 

[Boone]

Thanks for that Dixie - I'm glad we finally got that sorted - appreciate your sharing!

 

[DixieFlatline]

Hi Boone ...Got a replacement phone and previous methods to get the app to install have not worked. Please don't go out of your way on this as it seems to be a 'me' issue, but wanted to ask did we ever look into finding the location of the apk file? My understanding (through google and AI) is this method of installing from the website is called sideloading which kicks off the download of the apk from the website. I thought if we knew the location of the file on the site, I might be able to directly download it.

 

[Boone]

I will let you know this evening when I can locate it

 

[Boone]

Hi Boone ...Got a replacement phone and previous methods to get the app to install have not worked. Please don't go out of your way on this as it seems to be a 'me' issue, but wanted to ask did we ever look into finding the location of the apk file? My understanding (through google and AI) is this method of installing from the website is called sideloading which kicks off the download of the apk from the website. I thought if we knew the location of the file on the site, I might be able to directly download it.

So - keeping in mind I am not technically trained, it looks like the native mobile app that is part of Xenforo is a 'PWA' (Progressive Web App) that doesn't require or use an 'apk' file to install, so 'sideloading' to get to that file isn't possible.

Have you tried the usual recommendations (loading the site in Chrome and looking for an install link)?

 

[DixieFlatline]

Thanks with that added information of PWA and asking an AI, I was able to figure out it! Most instructions say look for an Install link, but I didn't have that. However, they said also look for a 'Add to Home Screen' option which I did have. That worked like a charm.