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Contribute to the Future of the WordPress App

Since July 2022, the WordPress mobile team has been refocusing the WordPress app on core features. We’re excited to announce that most of this work is now complete, and there are ample opportunities to get involved in shaping the future. 

What’s Changed?

The following Jetpack features have been removed from the WordPress app and are now only available in the Jetpack app:

  • Stats
  • Reader
  • Notifications
  • Activity Log
  • Backup
  • Sharing (Jetpack Social)
  • Jetpack blocks (Block Editor)
  • @-Mentions and Crossposting (Block Editor)

In addition, core features that relied on the WordPress.com API, including People, Themes, and Menus, have been removed from WordPress.com and Jetpack-connected sites. (These features have never been available to self-hosted users without a Jetpack connection from the WordPress app.) Placeholders of Jetpack-powered features will remain in the app for some period of time to allow for a transition for users of these features.

There is still some work to be done, particularly with login, which we knew would take some time to decouple. The WordPress.com REST API still authenticates WordPress.com users, and these users should have the option to use the WordPress app if desired. The mobile team will continue to work on this challenge with the aim of eventually removing this dependency.

However, with many Jetpack-specific features now removed, we’re ready to look to the future of the WordPress app. 

One of the goals behind refocusing the app was always to enable larger involvement from the community, and we look forward to seeing all the great contributions and developments that will come from this decision. 

How to Get Involved

Do you want to help shape the future of the WordPress mobile app? Here’s how you can contribute and make a difference:

  • Write and submit code. If you’re a developer, you can contribute to the app’s codebase by submitting pull requests through GitHub:
  • WordPress for iOS is ~80% Swift, with Objective C making up some parts of the codebase.
  • If React Native is your jam, you could consider contributing to the editing experience in both apps with Mobile Gutenberg.
  • Test and review new features. Fortnightly calls for testing are posted to this blog, with steps you can take to participate. 
  • Report bugs. This can be done through the WordPress for Android, WordPress for iOS, or Gutenberg GitHub repositories. If you’re unsure where to file your report, you can get guidance in the #mobile channel on Slack or add your comment to the fortnightly calls for testing. 
  • Suggest or design new features. If you want to get further involved in the app’s design, check out the #design channel on Slack and follow +design.
  • Open GitHub tickets with your proposals for the path forward.
  • Translate the app. If you’re fluent in a language other than English, you can help by translating the app so more people can use it.

Have questions? Not sure how to contribute? Comment on this post or ask in the Slack #mobile channel. We’re excited to continue building something great together!