Wikimedia Apps/Android FAQ

This is a generic draft that will expand to cover iOS and Android separately. Meanwhile, please help add very specific questions to the list

General info
The Wikipedia Mobile web application is accessible via any web browser, it provides different features than the app, such as the ability to create watchlists, collections, receiving notifications. The Android app provides options for reading experience, screen compatible display, ability to save pages for offline reading,
 * What is the difference between the Android app and the mobile web version of Wikipedia?

Our app works on all hardware, providing that it can run a version of Android between 2.3 and 5.2.
 * Is my device supported?


 * Release notes

What features are available on the Android app?
Through the native app, you can search for specific text within the article You can search the same item across languages You can select text extract and render as a card to share social media You can save pages of your favorite articles for later review A feature that detects your location and helps your find articles about things within your location. Nearby doesn't track you or store your location over time; your coordinates are pulled only when you click on Nearby, and they are not stored.
 * Text search
 * Cross language search
 * Share-a-fact
 * Saved pages
 * Nearby

Offline reading and data
From the W menu, you can save articles, with images included, for offline reading. If your mobile carrier supports Wikipedia Zero, then please mark the option in settings for free browsing without data fees charging. No, we don't track you and we don't use your data. User reports are only sent when you activate the option. When you click Nearby, the app then gets instant access to your geolocation, and offers you a list of articles close to your location. Nearby doesn't track your location or store your geodata. Mainly crash reports. //can we provide a sample of what this entails?
 * Can I save articles for offline reading?
 * Can I access Wikipedia for free with your app?
 * Does your app track me? Do you use my data?
 * How does Nearby work?
 * What information does the usage report contain?

Readability and adjustments
Yes, for reading options you can opt to either dark or white background, you can also change font size. Unfortunately, media is not currently supported on the app
 * Can I change font size and background color?
 * Can I listen to media or watch videos on the app?

Download and bug reporting
Please do. Our repository is available on github please check details for contribution.
 * I am an Android developer, may I fork your app?

Can I download an APK version to install the Android app without a Google Play Store account?

APK files (for both the beta and stable versions of the app) are available on release.wikimedia.org. Note that the app won't auto-update when installed this way.

Is the app available on F-Droid?

As of mid-2015, there is no official up-to-date F-Droid version (background).
 * Where do I report bugs?

Editing
No. You can edit as anonymous, bearing in mind that your IP will be associated with your edit No. The application doesn't currently support viewing history and talk pages
 * Do I have to be logged in to edit?
 * Can I upload pictures?
 * Can I view a page's history and talk pages?

App permissions
This permission is used for the Nearby functionality only. If you don't use it we don't request your current location. This permission seems a bit mislabeled by the Play Store. Even without this permission an app could read photos and media files. The app needs this permission to be able to write to external storage so it can temporarily save images for sharing them to other apps. Technically we wouldn't need it for the latest Android versions but we also support older Android releases
 * Why does the app need the Location permission (ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION)?
 * Why does the app need the Photos/Media/Files permission (WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE)?

General info
Wikipedia Mobile web application is accessible via any web browser, it provides different features than the app, such as the ability to create watchlists, collections, receiving notifications. The Android app provides options for reading experience, screen compatible display, ability to save pages for offline reading,
 * What is the difference between iOs app and mobile web app?


 * Release notes

What features are available on the Android app

 * Text search
 * Cross language search
 * Share-a-fact
 * Saved pages
 * Nearby

Offline reading and data
From the W menu, you can save articles, with images included, for offline reading. If your mobile carrier supports Wikipedia Zero, then please mark the option in settings for free browsing without data fees charging. No, we don't track you and we don't use your data. User reports are only sent when you activate the option. When you click Nearby, the app then gets instant access to your geolocation, and offers you a list of articles within your location. Nearby doesn't track your location or store your geodata. Mainly crash reports. //can we provide a sample of what this entails?
 * Can I save articles for offline reading?
 * Can I access Wikipedia for free with your app?
 * Does your app track me? Do you use my data?
 * How does Nearby work?
 * What information does the usage report contain?

Readability and adjustments
Yes, for reading options you can opt to either dark or white background, you can also change font size. Unfortunately, media is not currently supported on the app
 * Can I change font size and background color?
 * Can I listen to media or watch videos on the app?

Download and bug reporting
Please do. Our repository is available on please check details for contribution.
 * I am an iOS developer, may I fork your app?
 * Where do I report bugs?

Editing
No. You can edit as anonymous, bearing in mind that your IP will be associated with your edit No. The application doesn't currently support viewing history and talk pages
 * Do I have to be logged in to edit?
 * Can I upload pictures?
 * Can I view a page's history and talk pages?