Reddit pushes the app on mobile to increase engagement. You can often still use the mobile browser or old.reddit.com.
Why
Reddit promotes its app on mobile web to increase app usage and engagement. The app also shows more ads and tracking data.
Rules
Some mature or restricted content requires login or the app.
Workarounds
- Use old.reddit.com on desktop.
- Use the mobile browser in desktop mode.
- Sign in on the web.
Note
Reddit’s policies change often.
Third party apps
Reddit’s API changes in 2023 ended many.
Why Reddit pushes the app
Reddit has been steering mobile web users toward its app, with prompts and limited functions in mobile browsers. The company says the app offers a better experience and personalization, and it benefits from the app’s engagement and data for advertising. Reddit went public on the NYSE in March 2024, and average revenue per user is a key metric for investors.
- In 2023, Reddit changed its API pricing, which led several popular third-party apps such as Apollo to shut down on June 30, 2023.
- Mobile browser access to some communities, especially NSFW content, is restricted unless logged in.
- Reddit reports well over 100 million daily active users.
Options
You can use the mobile site by choosing “Continue in browser” where offered, using old.reddit.com on desktop browsers, or accessing through a desktop mode. Features and rules change often, so the options may vary. Reddit’s official app is free. Third-party apps depend on the API terms in effect. Privacy settings can be adjusted in account settings.
Why Reddit pushes the app
Reddit encourages app use to increase engagement and ad revenue and improve the experience. The company went public in March 2024. Some content requires login, particularly mature content.
Options
Use old.reddit.com or the browser with login, and check settings for mobile web. Third party apps were limited after API pricing changes in 2023.
What changed on the platform
Reddit has increasingly prompted mobile web visitors to open its app, showing banners and limiting some features in the mobile browser. The company says the app offers better features and performance. Reddit also changed its API terms in 2023, which led to a wave of subreddit blackouts and the closing of some third party apps.
Practical workarounds
Logged in users can often continue in a mobile browser by choosing to continue on the web, using a desktop view, or using old.reddit.com while it remains available. Some content for logged out visitors is limited to promote sign ups. Reddit went public on the NYSE in March 2024, and app engagement affects ad revenue. Check the current rules, since the behavior changes by device and region.
Based on data from Reddit announcements and public reporting by The Verge
