Edward Collins
Can’t emphasise enough how much the Mastodon experience is improved by choosing the right app to use it. The official Mastodon app is terrible with very limited functionality, making for a very isolated feeling from everyone and the wider communities. Metatext is waaaaay better and replicates the Twitter experience much more closely. Mastodon is actually enjoyable with this app.
I advise picking through a bunch of apps to see which one is more suitable for you before settling on one to use.
Nov 6, 2022 at 10:46amMetatext
Show threadanne-marie creamerNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins Thanks for this - Metatext app makes Mastodon much easier to navigate 🙏
Show threadGary Marshall-StevensNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins is there a comparable one for android? Most I've tried are as clunky as main app
Show threadEdward CollinsNov 6, 2022
@gms369 I’m hearing positive things about Tusky, but I’m an iOS user myself so I can’t vouch for it personally.
Show threadSenseirendipitéNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins @gms369 I'm tooting from Tusky right now, it's pretty nice, has a tab view a bit like twitter, interface is pretty neat, I'd recommend it
Show threadSueNov 6, 2022
@gms369 @ejpcollins I use Tuskey. I find it much easier that the Mastodon app
Show threadKeithNov 6, 2022
@gms369 @ejpcollins I use tusky on Android and it's great
Show threadJohn KaprielianNov 6, 2022
@CaptainCornflake @gms369 @ejpcollins
I am using Tusky as well and it is much better than the stock app. That said, mastodon is pretty great in a mobile browser, too.
Show threadabominabledrhNov 6, 2022
@gms369 @ejpcollins Yep. Tusky is the way to go on Android.
Show threadIrizorisNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins wow. This answers a question I asked myself. I even sent an e-mail to the admin of the server I'm on whether there was better access than the Mastodon app for Android. You are answering my question. Thanks for reading my mind.
Show thread8lettersukNov 6, 2022
@irizoris @ejpcollins I couldn't find it on Android but I'm testing out tusky which seems easier immediately.
Show threadIrizorisNov 7, 2022
@8lettersuk I found Tusky on Android. It only took me a minute to install. It defaulted to 'dark mode' and I changed it to 'light mode' and fine-tuned my other preferences and notifications style in another minute. It must be a more recent app: it seems to have more flexibility and more things without being clunky or eating up too much space on my cheapo phone.
Show thread8lettersukNov 7, 2022
@irizoris nice! Yeah I've been enjoying it and it's made the switch less clunky
Show threadThomas EscrittNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins am I right in thinking there’s no way of accessing the local or federated timelines from the official app? That’s odd, but also presumably tells us something about how we’re expected to use the fediverse more broadly ?
Show threadEdward CollinsNov 6, 2022
@thomasescritt I wasn’t able to find a way to access them on the official app either, so unless I missed something, it’s very limited.
Show threadGhostdog23Nov 7, 2022
@thomasescritt @ejpcollins on the offical iOS app the federated and local streams are accessed via the search/magnifying icon and are the Posts and Community tabs which is either a)confusing b)some decision to try and make it more accessible for new users who might be scared of the name/concept of local and federated??
Show threadlutomaNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins Why is it that people recommending third-party apps always feel the need to badmouth the „official“ app? I‘m very happy with it, as are a lot of people I know. Fair enough if it’s not for you, but there’s really no need to be hostile or insulting towards the developers of it for no reason.
Show threadSven ShiptonNov 7, 2022

@lutoma @ejpcollins Yes, there does seem to be a more respectful way to do it. I remember the Mastodon app being pretty decent, although I did switch to Tusky.

In any case, the official app was only released this year.

Show threadAlisonW ♿🏳️‍🌈♾️Nov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins
Presently for Android I'd recommend Tusky. But lots of choice out there.
Show threadJess 🚴👩‍⚕️💉😷Nov 6, 2022

@ejpcollins can't find Metatext nor Toot

I use the web interface, does the job

Show thread8lettersukNov 6, 2022
@beatricejess @ejpcollins if you are on Android try #tusky instead
Show threadJess 🚴👩‍⚕️💉😷Nov 6, 2022
@8lettersuk ok I'll give it a try. Using andstat at the moment, but not really as convenient
Show threadreversion to the deoradh™Nov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins yes.
Show threadNigel SmallNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins I'm getting on very well with #Tusky so far.
Show threadMatt PotterNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins I had no idea. This is a great tip. Cheers!
Show threadEdward CollinsNov 6, 2022
@mattpotter No prob!
Show threadfletch49erNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins Ooh nice to know I'm currently using Tusky
Show thread8lettersukNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins yeah I'm using tusky right now and it immediately made it better for me. Couldn't find metatext for Android sadly.
Show threadWill de Quetteville Nov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins thanks for the pointer, agree it’s much better
Show threadLoups01Nov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins just tried to log in with meta text and got this. Any ideas?
Show threadJulesNov 6, 2022
@scotslass @ejpcollins you have to put in the url of the Mastodon server you are using eg, in my case, mastodon.social
Show threadLoups01Nov 6, 2022
@julesbl @ejpcollins thank you. I got it. 🙏🏻
Show threadSam JonesNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins I went with the Tusky Android app, any thoughts? Thanks.
Show threadJanet MacKenzieNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins Thank you for this tip! Positive first impression of Metatext - it makes using lists straightforward 😊
Show threadStephanie EllerNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins Yes! I like #Metatext so far.
Show threadStephanie EllerNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins
Too bad #Metatext uses “toots” rather than “posts” or “blogs.”
Show threadPenny StuartNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins thanks, trying it and it has a thread function plus you an search Local and Federated which you can’t on the regular app. Will keep flicking between the two to see which suits me more
Show threadAron FischerNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins I'm enjoying the Tusky app to access mastodon.
Show threadJulesNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins have to agree a better client makes a big difference, have moved to tusky from the Mastodon app on android and its much nicer
Show threadVictoria EvansNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins thanks for this, I've found Tusky ok but it doesn't currently show me popular hashtags. Glad to see another suggestion to try out 😊
Show threadPaulNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins Agree with most of that but I'm trying to avoid completely replicating the Twitter experience if you know what I mean! 😉
Show threadNic DafisNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins This has been my experience, although I have come to love the "advanced web interface" or whatever it's called, on the laptop.
Show threadFullenglishpintNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins I can't seem to find Metatext on the play store?
Show threadBodhipaksaNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins Thanks for the recommendation. I'm checking it out now.
Show threadMarkNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins Tooot is a great mastodon client app for android... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xmflsct.app.tooot
tooot - fediverse and Mastodon - Apps on Google Play

Simple, just works

Show threadiamBullivantNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins I'm using the official app on Android and I'm pretty happy with the UX.
Show threadEdward CollinsNov 6, 2022
@bullivant That’s great. It seems to be very limited and buggy on iOS.
Show threadiamBullivantNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins Interesting. I'll have a look at Metatext on Android.
Show threadiamBullivantNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins OK, it looks like there is no Metatext app in the Android store.
Show threadEdward CollinsNov 6, 2022
@bullivant try tusky for Android. It’s getting good reviews by people here.
Show threadiamBullivantNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins Thanks Edward, I'll give it a try.
Show threadThe Yarn HobbitNov 6, 2022
@bullivant @ejpcollins same. I can see why some find it clunky, but I'm appreciating the cleaner interface while I initially figure out what & where everything is.
It feels like the starting area of most games where people are all as confused as me & xp is easy!
Show threadA. J. BlackNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins having just downloaded it, I highly agree.
Show threadPaul SquiresNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins I’d chosen Metatext on a whim and was planning on trying others. Very impressed so far though
Show threadChrisNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins on tusky atm
Show threadAlanNov 6, 2022
@ejpcollins I have been really surprised at the number of people who jump straight in to using an app rather than the web interface. Installing an app seems like the bigger commitment to me, and everyone seems to have problems with them.