Requesting the Desktop Site on Mobile

Introduction

Building Swell adjusts its layout to the size of your screen. On phones and tablets you get the mobile layout, with bigger buttons and less side-scrolling. On a computer you get the full desktop layout.

If you'd rather use the desktop layout on your tablet, you can ask your browser for it. This guide covers how, on each of the common mobile browsers.

Works best on a tablet

On a phone the desktop layout will be readable but tight. A tablet in landscape gives it enough width to be comfortable.

If you came here because assigning people felt harder on a tablet, read Assigning People on Mobile first. Most of the trouble people hit is the assignment tray opening on the next stage in line, which takes two taps to change.

Before You Start

• This is a browser setting, not a Building Swell setting. Nobody else on your team is affected.
• Your browser remembers the choice for Building Swell, so you set it once per device.
• If you added Building Swell to your home screen, see the FAQ below. Home screen shortcuts don't have a browser menu.

Step-by-Step Guide

Safari (iPad and iPhone)

1. Open Building Swell in Safari.
2. Tap the aA icon in the address bar.
3. Tap Request Desktop Website.
4. The page reloads in the desktop layout.

To make it stick for Building Swell every time:

1. Tap the aA icon again.
2. Tap Website Settings.
3. Turn on Request Desktop Website.

Chrome (Android)

1. Open Building Swell in Chrome.
2. Tap the three-dot menu ⋮ in the top-right corner.
3. Tap Desktop site to check the box.
4. The page reloads in the desktop layout.

Chrome (iPad and iPhone)

1. Open Building Swell in Chrome.
2. Tap the three-dot menu ⋯ at the bottom-right.
3. Tap Request Desktop Site.

Edge (Android, iPad and iPhone)

1. Open Building Swell in Edge.
2. Tap the three-line menu ≡ at the bottom.
3. Tap Desktop site.

Switching Back to Mobile

Go back to the same menu and turn the setting off.

• In Safari, the option reads Request Mobile Website once desktop mode is on.
• In Chrome and Edge, uncheck Desktop site.

Tips

1. Landscape helps. Turning a tablet sideways gives the desktop layout enough width to breathe.
2. Zoom out one notch. If desktop mode feels cramped, pinch to zoom out rather than switching back and forth.

FAQ

I added Building Swell to my home screen. There's no menu to tap.

Home screen shortcuts open without browser controls, so there's no Desktop site option. Open Building Swell in Safari or Chrome directly to change the setting. See Adding Building Swell to Your Phone for how the shortcut works.

Does this change anything for my team?

No. It's a setting on your device and in your browser only.

Will I lose any features in desktop mode on a tablet?

No. It's the same Building Swell, laid out for a wider screen. Buttons will be smaller and you'll do more side-scrolling.

The setting keeps resetting.

Some browsers only apply Desktop site to the current tab. In Safari, use Website Settings to make it stick for Building Swell. Clearing your browser data also resets it, see Clearing Cache.

Conclusion

The layout follows your screen size by default, and requesting the desktop site is the override when you want the wider view on a tablet. It's per device, reversible, and doesn't affect anyone else.

Need help? Hit the chat button or click "Ask" in the app. You can also reach us at support@buildingswell.com.