Jetpack Revamps Mobile App, WordPress.com Users Must Migrate to Keep Using Stats, Reader, and Notification Features – WP Tavern

When Automattic launched a mobile app for Jetpack in June 2021, it was focused primarily at customers who had been on a paid Jetpack plan, because it permits entry to options like backups, restores, and safety scanning. Most significantly, the app gave Automattic a extra direct path for monetizing Jetpack, with out including extra industrial pursuits into the official WordPress apps.

This week Jetpack announced that it has revamped the app and is providing a extra compelling cause for these utilizing the free plan emigrate. As a part of a longterm effort to refocus the official WordPress apps, options that require Automattic’s merchandise (the Jetpack plugin or a WordPress.com account) as a way to use them, will quickly be eliminated. This contains the Stats, Reader, and Notifications options, which have been relocated to the Jetpack app.

WordPress.com customers and Jetpack customers on the free plan who beforehand relied on these options might want to change to the free Jetpack cellular app. All of the options which might be transferring over from the core WordPress app will nonetheless be free within the Jetpack app.

Whereas most self-hosted Jetpack customers might simply perceive the necessity for the change, this transition could also be rougher for WordPress.com customers who don’t perceive the historical past of the cellular apps and see all of it as “WordPress.” They is probably not conscious that Automattic’s built-in merchandise have been controversial options within the official WordPress apps for almost a decade.

The announcement on WordPress.com is complicated, because it presents Jetpack as only a new non-compulsory app and doesn’t convey the urgency of migrating if customers nonetheless need entry to statistics, notifications, the reader, and any extra paid options.

The put up’s FAQ part describes the Jetpack app as “the premium cellular publishing expertise for our super-connected world” and states that “the Jetpack app is free to obtain.” WordPress.com customers who commented on the put up discovered the phrases “premium” and “free to obtain” to be suspicious and complicated. They don’t perceive the rationale for 2 apps:

“Do we’ve got to alter over? I solely wish to weblog, I’m not technical and I don’t perceive why you might have completed this or use it?”

“So is WordPress now referred to as Jetpack?”

“If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it. This transfer will not be in your customers’ greatest pursuits so why is it being completed? This smacks of the current pricing debacle.”

“I’m actually disenchanted by this choice. Why are you forcing us to make use of two apps? Your clarification of the variations is senseless, and appears like you decided for some cause you gained’t inform us and also you’re simply making an attempt to justify it. This isn’t user-focused in any respect.”

Customers are additionally involved about knowledge loss, as those that are migrating to the newly revamped app are suggested to delete the WordPress app after putting in the Jetpack app. The announcement states that “Managing your web site throughout each apps is presently unsupported and should result in points like knowledge conflicts.”

One consumer requested if there are premium options within the Jetpack app that may carry extra value, and if there may be any promoting included throughout the app.

“For readability, the Jetpack app is free to make use of and doesn’t embrace in-app commercials,” Automattic consultant Siobhan Bamber mentioned.

“We’re nonetheless planning our 2023 roadmap, and it’s doable in-app purchases will likely be part of our plans. The driving aim could be to supply options that convey most worth to customers, and we’re eager to listen to any concepts or suggestions. Any in-app purchases could be non-compulsory, with the presently free options remaining free to make use of.”

In response to these asking in regards to the variations between the 2 apps, Bamber mentioned there will likely be a pair extra posts on the WordPress.com information weblog within the following weeks.

Customers might want to have the most recent model of the WordPress app put in as a way to robotically migrate their knowledge and settings to the Jetpack app. This contains regionally saved content material, saved posts, and in-app preferences. The FAQ states that after customers obtain the Jetpack app, they are going to be “auto-magically” logged in with all their content material in place.

“One good strategy to verify whether or not your model of the WordPress app helps ‘auto migration’ is to faucet one of many in-app ‘Jetpack powered’ banners,” Bamber suggested customers within the feedback. “You’ll discover these banners on the backside of sections together with Stats and Reader. For those who faucet the banner, you’ll solely see the ‘Swap to the brand new Jetpack app’ immediate in variations that help migration.”

The revamped Jetpack app has been introduced to WordPress.com customers as a extra feature-rich strategy to publish to their web sites, but it surely additionally lays the burden of alternative on customers to attempt to perceive the distinction between the 2 apps and choose one for all of the websites they handle. Many don’t need the inconvenience of switching to a brand new app. Based mostly on the customers’ responses, it might need been simpler for them to grasp that the official WordPress apps are eradicating all options require the Jetpack plugin or a WordPress.com account – as a substitute of promoting it as a brand new, shiny publishing expertise.

Migrating to the Jetpack app is the most suitable choice if you wish to proceed utilizing the Stats, Reader, and Notifications options. So as to make it simple for customers to decide on the most effective path ahead, future posts on WordPress.com ought to make it crystal clear what options customers can anticipate in every app and after they might want to take motion.