Q: Is FursonasFactory available as a mobile app?
A: FursonasFactory is a Progressive Web App (PWA), installable from your browser without going through an app store. It works on Android, iOS, and desktop, launching in full-screen standalone mode like a native app.
Q: How do I install FursonasFactory on my phone?
A: Visit /install for platform-specific instructions. On Android, Chrome usually shows an install prompt. On iOS, use Safari’s Share menu and select “Add to Home Screen.”
Q: Does the app work offline?
A: Partially. The service worker caches certain resources for faster loading on slow connections. A genuine offline fallback page is shown if you lose internet entirely. Live features like messaging and orders require an active connection.
Q: Why isn’t the install prompt showing up on my phone?
A: On Android/Chrome, the install prompt only appears after Chrome determines you’ve engaged with the site enough. If it hasn’t appeared, go to /install for manual installation instructions.
Q: Is there a bottom navigation bar on mobile?
A: Yes. On screens 768px and under, a fixed bottom navigation bar appears with links to Home, Discover, Messages, Directory, and your profile or sign-in.
Q: Does the PWA update automatically?
A: Yes. The service worker is configured to activate new versions immediately when you’re on the platform. You don’t need to manually update or reinstall.
Q: Is the mobile experience the same as desktop?
A: The core features are the same, but the layout is optimized for smaller screens. The Masthead collapses to a hamburger drawer on mobile, a bottom navigation bar appears, and some multi-column layouts stack vertically.
Q: Can I receive push notifications on mobile?
A: Yes. FursonasFactory supports browser push notifications. Configure your notification preferences in your account settings. Push notifications require granting permission in your browser.
Q: Does the PWA work on iOS?
A: Yes. Install via Safari’s Share → Add to Home Screen. Push notification support on iOS may vary by iOS version — check your device for current PWA notification support.
Q: What is cached by the service worker?
A: The service worker caches platform scripts, styles, and uploaded images (7-day expiry, 100 entry max). API requests use a NetworkFirst strategy — fresh data is preferred, cached data serves as a fallback when offline.
Q: Will the PWA use a lot of storage on my device?
A: The service worker caches a limited set of resources. Image caching is capped at 100 entries. Storage usage is modest for modern devices.
Q: Can I use FursonasFactory on a tablet?
A: Yes. FursonasFactory works in any modern browser on any device including tablets. The responsive layout adapts to your screen size.
Q: What is the mobile breakpoint?
A: Mobile-specific layouts (including the bottom navigation bar and collapsed Masthead) apply at screen widths of 768px and under.
Q: Can I install FursonasFactory on desktop as a PWA?
A: Yes. Chrome on desktop supports PWA installation — look for an install icon in the browser’s address bar when visiting the platform.
Q: Does the platform remember my login between sessions on mobile?
A: Yes. Your login session persists for 7 days via a secure cookie. You’ll remain logged in between sessions within that window.
Q: What does the offline fallback page show?
A: The offline fallback page is shown when you try to access the platform with no internet connection and the resource isn’t cached. It lets you know you’re offline and to check your connection.
Q: Is all of FursonasFactory usable on mobile?
A: The core features — browsing, discovery, messaging, orders, studio — are all mobile-optimized. Some complex workflows like the Artist Analytics Dashboard may be more comfortable on a wider screen but are accessible on mobile.
Q: Why does a page I visited before show outdated content on mobile?
A: The service worker may be serving a cached version. Pull-to-refresh or a manual refresh will trigger a fresh network request. The NetworkFirst caching strategy means fresh data is always preferred when you’re online.
Q: Can I share a listing from the mobile app?
A: You can share listing URLs using your device’s standard share functionality — long-press or use the browser/PWA share button to send a link.
Q: Does the PWA support biometric login?
A: FursonasFactory’s authentication uses a secure cookie-based session. Biometric login is not currently built in — your device’s browser may offer to save your login credentials using its own password/biometric system.
Q: Does the PWA work without an internet connection at all?
A: The PWA shows a cached offline page when there’s no internet connection. Cached images and scripts may load, but any feature requiring server communication — orders, messages, listings — will not function without a connection.
Q: How do I update the PWA after a platform update?
A: Updates happen automatically. The service worker is configured to activate new versions immediately when you visit the platform. If you notice stale content, a manual refresh (or clearing the site’s cached data in your browser settings) will force the latest version.
Q: Can I install the PWA on multiple devices?
A: Yes. You can install FursonasFactory as a PWA on as many devices as you want. Each installation is independent — your account session is managed through your secure cookie, not the PWA installation itself.
Q: Why does the PWA take up space on my device?
A: The service worker caches scripts, stylesheets, and images locally for performance. This is by design — cached resources load faster than downloading them fresh every visit. The cache is capped to limit storage use.
Q: Can I use FursonasFactory’s full feature set on a phone?
A: Yes. The core platform is fully functional on mobile — browsing, ordering, messaging, the Artist Studio, and analytics are all accessible. Some complex layouts may be more comfortable on a wider screen.
Q: Does the PWA have a standalone app icon?
A: Yes. When installed as a PWA, FursonasFactory gets a home screen icon and launches in standalone mode (no browser UI). The icon and splash screen use the platform’s branding.
Q: What happens if I uninstall the PWA?
A: Uninstalling removes the home screen shortcut and clears the locally cached resources. Your account, orders, and data are not affected — they’re server-side. You can reinstall at any time.
Q: Can I use browser extensions while in PWA standalone mode?
A: In standalone PWA mode, the browser UI (including extension toolbars) is hidden. Extensions may still run in the background depending on the browser, but PWA mode is intentionally minimal.
Q: Does the PWA support landscape mode on mobile?
A: The platform is responsive and should adapt to landscape orientation on mobile. Some layouts may work better in portrait mode, but there’s no orientation lock preventing landscape use.
Q: Can I cast or share my FursonasFactory screen?
A: Screen casting and sharing are controlled by your device’s OS and browser, not the platform itself. FursonasFactory doesn’t block screen sharing, but standard digital rights considerations apply to any content you share.