The WordPress app lets you write, edit and moderate a WordPress site from your phone or tablet, and it works with both WordPress.com sites and self-hosted WordPress.org installs. It is not a replacement for the full dashboard, though, and the way Automattic splits features between the WordPress app and the Jetpack app confuses a lot of people. This guide covers what the apps do, how to connect a self-hosted site, what you still need a browser for, and the desktop tools that are worth knowing about.
What the WordPress app actually is
The official mobile apps are free, open-source apps built by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com. There are native versions for iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android, and both are listed on the WordPress mobile apps page on wordpress.org. The source code lives in public repositories, which is one reason the apps are trusted by people who manage client sites.
Under the hood the app talks to your site over the network. For WordPress.com sites and Jetpack-connected sites it uses the WordPress.com APIs; for a plain self-hosted site it connects directly to your own installation. The editor inside the app is a mobile build of the block editor, so posts you write on your phone use the same blocks you see on the desktop.
The WordPress app and the Jetpack app
Automattic also publishes a Jetpack app. Over the past few years it has moved some features, such as stats, the Reader and notifications, between the two apps, and the exact split has changed more than once. The general pattern has been that the WordPress app focuses on publishing and site management, while the Jetpack app carries the features that depend on a WordPress.com or Jetpack connection. Because this division shifts, check the current app store listings before you decide which one to install. Many site owners simply install both: they share the same login and do not conflict.
What you can do from the app
For day-to-day publishing the mobile apps are genuinely useful. Typical tasks that work well include:
- Writing and editing posts and pages with the block editor, including headings, lists, images, galleries, quotes and embeds.
- Saving drafts, scheduling and publishing, plus setting categories, tags, the excerpt and the featured image.
- Uploading media straight from the phone camera or photo library to the Media Library.
- Moderating comments: approve, reply, mark as spam or trash.
- Managing several sites from one account, switching between them from a site picker.
- Working offline: drafts are stored locally and sync when you reconnect.
For sites connected to WordPress.com or Jetpack, extra features such as traffic stats, push notifications for comments and likes, and the Reader are available, either in the WordPress app or the Jetpack app depending on the current split.
What the app cannot do (or does poorly)
The app is a publishing tool, not a full administration panel. Expect to open a browser for:
- Site design. Editing templates, template parts, global styles and navigation in the Site Editor is a desktop job. See our Site Editor tutorial for that workflow.
- Most plugin settings. Plugin options pages are part of wp-admin and are not exposed in the app. Some plugin blocks also show as unsupported in the mobile editor.
- Installing themes and plugins on self-hosted sites. Do this from Appearance → Themes and Plugins → Add New in the dashboard.
- Page builders. Elementor and similar builders run in a desktop browser. Pages built with them usually cannot be edited meaningfully in the app.
- User management, settings and tools such as import, export and site health.
A useful rule: if a task lives under Appearance, Plugins, Tools or Settings, plan to do it on a laptop. If it lives under Posts, Pages, Media or Comments, the app will usually handle it.
Connecting a self-hosted site to the WordPress app
You do not need a WordPress.com account to use the app with a self-hosted site, although a Jetpack connection unlocks extra features. The basic process looks like this:
- Install the app from the App Store or Google Play and open it.
- Choose the option to log in with your site address rather than a WordPress.com account.
- Enter your full site URL, ideally with
https://. - Authenticate. Depending on the app version this either asks for your WordPress username and password or sends you to your site in a browser to approve an application password.
- Once connected, the site appears in your site list alongside any WordPress.com sites.
Application passwords
Application passwords have been part of WordPress core since version 5.6. They are long, revocable passwords tied to one user and one app, managed under Users → Profile → Application Passwords. They are a good fit for mobile access: if you lose your phone, you revoke that single password without changing your main login. They also require HTTPS by default, which is one more reason your site should have a valid certificate. The REST API tutorial explains how they work in more detail.
Common connection problems
- XML-RPC or the REST API is blocked. Security plugins, firewalls and some hosts disable
xmlrpc.phpor restrict the REST API. Older login flows rely on XML-RPC, so if the app cannot connect, check those settings first, then decide whether to allow access or use the application password flow. - Two-factor plugins. Some 2FA plugins block password logins from apps. Application passwords are the usual workaround.
- Wrong URL. If WordPress is installed in a subdirectory, enter that full address.
- Certificate errors. An expired or mismatched SSL certificate will stop the app. Fix it on the server side.
Whatever access you open up, keep it to the minimum you need. Our security hardening guide covers how to balance XML-RPC, REST API access and login protection.
Desktop options: WordPress Studio and the browser
People searching for a desktop WordPress app usually want one of two things: a way to manage a live site, or a way to run WordPress on their own computer.
For managing a live site, the browser is the desktop app. The dashboard and block editor are designed for modern desktop browsers, and you get every feature, including the Site Editor and plugin settings. Older guides mention a WordPress.com desktop app; check its current status before relying on it, because Automattic’s focus has moved toward the browser and Studio.
For running WordPress locally, WordPress Studio is Automattic’s free desktop app for macOS and Windows. It creates local WordPress sites in a few clicks without you having to install a web server or database separately, which makes it handy for testing themes, trying plugins or building a site before it goes live. Alternatives such as LocalWP do a similar job; our guide on how to install WordPress compares the local options.
Alternatives to the official apps
The official apps are the obvious choice, but they are not the only way to work on mobile.
| Option | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress app | Writing, media, comments, multiple sites | No design or plugin settings |
| Jetpack app | Stats, notifications, Reader on connected sites | Needs a WordPress.com or Jetpack connection |
| Mobile browser | Anything in wp-admin in an emergency | Cramped; the Site Editor is awkward on small screens |
| Host or management dashboards | Updates, backups, uptime across many sites | Not a writing tool; often a paid service |
| Email or messaging-to-post workflows | Quick posts from anywhere | Limited formatting; depends on a plugin or service |
The mobile browser deserves a special mention. The full dashboard is responsive, so in a pinch you can update a plugin or fix a setting from your phone. It is not comfortable for long sessions, but it means you are never locked out of anything because the app lacks a feature.
Getting the most out of mobile publishing
- Keep the theme simple to write into. Posts that use standard core blocks edit cleanly on mobile. Block themes, which build layouts from core blocks, generally play well with the app for that reason.
- Watch image sizes. Phone photos are large. The app can resize uploads, and WordPress creates smaller sizes automatically, but it is worth checking your settings; see the media management guide.
- Draft on mobile, polish on desktop. Many editors capture a story on the phone and finish layout, SEO fields and internal links on a laptop.
- Give contributors the right role. An Author or Contributor role limits what a lost or shared phone can do.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WordPress app free?
Yes. The app itself is free on iOS and Android. Paid WordPress.com plans or Jetpack products may unlock extra features, but connecting and publishing to a self-hosted site costs nothing.
Do I need a WordPress.com account for a self-hosted site?
No. You can log in with your site address and your own credentials. A WordPress.com account becomes necessary only for features that rely on Jetpack or WordPress.com services, such as stats and push notifications. If you are unsure how the two platforms differ, read WordPress.org vs WordPress.com.
Can I edit my theme from the app?
Not in any meaningful way. Template and style editing happens in the Site Editor or Customizer in a desktop browser.
Why does the app say a block is unsupported?
The mobile editor supports core blocks and a subset of others. Blocks added by plugins may not have a mobile version, so the app protects them from being broken and asks you to edit them in a browser.
Key takeaways
- The WordPress app is free, open source and available for iOS and Android; it works with WordPress.com and self-hosted sites.
- Features are split between the WordPress app and the Jetpack app, and that split changes, so check the store listings.
- Use the app for writing, media and comments; use a desktop browser for design, plugins and settings.
- Application passwords are the cleanest way to connect a self-hosted site, and they can be revoked per device.
- On the desktop, WordPress Studio runs local sites, while the browser remains the full management tool.
Treat the app as a fast, pocket-sized publishing tool, and keep the heavier site work for a proper screen.
