We’d love your thoughts on using the Forums on your phone

[ProjectTeam]

Hi everyone,

Over the years, some members have asked whether the Forums have an app. Often this comes up without much detail, so we would love to better understand what's behind it.

We are currently looking at ways to improve how the Forums work on phones. Before making any changes, we want to hear about your experience.

In particular, we would love to know:

• Are there things that feel harder to find or do on the Forums when you are using your phone compared with your computer?
• If you have ever thought about a Forums app, what were you hoping it would make easier when using the Forums on your phone?

There is no right or wrong answer. We are simply trying to understand what matters most so we can make thoughtful improvements for the community.

How to share your thoughts

You can reply to this post with your feedback. Short or long responses are both welcome.

If you would rather share something privately, or if you are not a member yet and cannot reply here, you can contact us at modsupport@beyondblue.org.au

What happens next

We will use the feedback you share to help guide improvements to the Forums experience on phones.

Thank you for being part of the Beyond Blue Forums. Your perspectives really do help shape how the Forums work.

Project Team
Beyond Blue

[melodica]

I personally would love a dedicated Beyond Blue forum app or an improved mobile view. Navigating the forums on an iPad or phone currently feels slow and clunky. The standard layout does not adapt to smaller screens, so it takes much longer to find specific threads or categories. A streamlined mobile interface with collapsible menus would reduce loading times and save mobile data.

Integrating a platform like Tapatalk would resolve many formatting issues.  A dedicated app would also support a quick reply feature at the bottom of threads to encourage spontaneous interactions. Adding push notifications for replies would keep people connected without needing to refresh the browser constantly. I hope the development team considers these updates to modernise the user experience.

[audiology]

I think a dedicated app would be a fantastic idea! As thus far browsing using the mobile site is absolute junk - TBH lol 

[ProjectTeam]

@melodica so much great feedback there, thank you! Could you tell us a bit more about why you find it harder to find specific threads or categories on your phone? How would you normally do this on your computer?

@audiology we welcome the honesty! What are the some of the main things that make browsing on your phone junk?

[CSB1968]

Hi, good morning.

I am a new member as of this morning. I think a WhatsApp group would be a good idea, its good in that a conversation can be seen by all me members, and of course it has the added benefit of being private with it end to end encryption. I was a member of one group for my workplace.

[CSB1968]

Hi,

Very easy to setup a WhatsApp group, it could be an official or informal group. I was part of a group with my former employer; I found it was very good & it doesn't cost anything. Also it says it uses end to end encryption. 

[moody-_ahhhhh]

notifications should be an icon at the top right if possible

[ProjectTeam]

@CSB1968 welcome to the community! A WhatsApp group is interesting. So, you’d like smaller private groups.

Could you tell us why you like this compared to the anonymous, but public, conversations on the Forums?

Is it because you feel safer to share? Is it because it feels like you can get to know people better? Is it because you get notifications on your phone? Or another reason?

@moody-_ahhhhh love that idea, thank you for sharing!

[CSB1968]

Hi everyone,

Apologies for the late reply!

Well, I am fine with this method, it is easier to use (typing) as opposed to an app. The app is useful if you're out and about just, and also you can pause your availability. I found the work WhatsApp useful as everyone in the group can see the conversation, and they can or just not comment. They can read what other members of the group are saying.

Bottom line is it would be handy if not on a PC, but I certainly wouldn't see it as a replacement using the forum with a PC!

Hope this helps 🙂