Free/low cost make basic android app?

unwashed potato! · 29 Mar 2023 at 14:27

I'm just exploring the idea of having an app for work that essentially just accesses the Admin section of our website.

Does such a thing exist? It would just load one website (https://www.mayercleaning.co.uk) but the Admin section of it, and then display everything to the user as currently happens from within a browser.

I know I could just use a browser, which is what we currently do, but the guys seem to struggle to bookmark and find the page etc to go to, so thinking an app would simplify things, and also, give room for future new features that we don't currently have.

Thanks.

visibleman · 29 Mar 2023 at 14:44

There's a number of services out there that will essentially create a web-wrapper type app for your website (or admin website in your case). Although you could probably throw something together yourself as it is just a WebView.

Alternatively, both Android and iOS support pinning websites to your Home Screen via the browser - https://www.androidauthority.com/add-website-android-iphone-home-screen-3181682/

unwashed potato! · 29 Mar 2023 at 15:15

Thanks will check out what this Web view thing is.

visibleman said:
Alternatively, both Android and iOS support pinning websites to your Home Screen via the browser - https://www.androidauthority.com/add-website-android-iphone-home-screen-3181682/

I couldn't imagine a more ugly solution

visibleman · 29 Mar 2023 at 17:54

unwashed potato! said:
I couldn't imagine a more ugly solution

Unless you're planning to create an app (+ UI) to directly prod an API (of your CMS), then you're essentially creating a web-wrapper for your 'admin' website (using WebView) and you'll achieve something similar by pinning a website to the home screen (you can even stipulate "app" icon and loading images/logos etc via META tags).

Lindo · 29 Mar 2023 at 21:32

Capacitor is (https://capacitorjs.com/) wraps web apps into both Android and iOS apps plus gives you a bunch of native features. You still need to do all the App Store stuff though.

Deleted member 77746 · 31 Mar 2023 at 23:41

Good luck getting it into the IOS App Store using web wrappers.

Apple will tell you to sod off because it doesn’t use native app features.

I’ve tried.

You beat off literally printing out something and giving it to them on instructions how to add a shortcut to the Home Screen.

unwashed potato! · 31 Mar 2023 at 23:50

GaryTheSnail said:
IOS App Store

Luckily, everyone uses android, and the tablets are android too. IPhone users can continue to type in the address in that case

Deleted member 77746 · 31 Mar 2023 at 23:52

unwashed potato! said:
Luckily, everyone uses android, and the tablets are android too. IPhone users can continue to type in the address in that case

That’s racist.

FredFlint · 18 Apr 2023 at 17:15

Just use Visual Studio (free version) and MAUI, can even use Blazor web code with MAUI if you like. Could add a single page with a frame and link the page or if you use a webservice use that.