on tablet, can't get Desktop UI for webmail

bsammon · 20 Sep 2018, 03:38 AM

I have a support ticket in to Fastmail, but I'd be curious to hear from others here if this is just me or if it affects other people.

I'd like to use the desktop UI for Fastmail's webmail on my tablet, but I can't get it to come up consistently. The "request desktop site" button doesn't seem to have any effect. I still get the mobile UI.

This happens with both Firefox and Chrome.

Has anyone here tried this? Did you have the same problem?

Terry · 20 Sep 2018, 08:20 AM

We use this https://www.fastmail.com/login/

Grhm · 20 Sep 2018, 09:29 AM

I have often experienced the same problem.
Modern browsers almost invariably seem to think they know better than me which version of a web-site I want, which I find infuriating.
The only way I know of reliably opening the desktop version of Fastmail on my Android phone, is to use an open-source browser called 'Zirco', which is available through F-droid.
The security-conscious will doubtless be aghast at this suggestion, as Zirco has not been updated since 2012, but, as I say, I know of no other way.

Update 16 Dec 2018:
Since the latest changes, Zirco now defaults to the mobile interface, so this tip no longer works... however a much more satisfactory solution is given below.

bsammon · 21 Sep 2018, 02:53 PM

Okay, Fastmail support found something for me:

add

Code:

&force_screenSize=desktop

to the end of the URL

(not exactly easy to remember, but I guess you bookmark it or something)

Also, the following URL might just work:
http://www.fastmail.com/mail/?force_screenSize=desktop
(maybe you have to be logged in first)

Grhm · 17 Dec 2018, 02:51 AM

There was a typo in that link, it should have been
http://www.fastmail.com/mail/&force_screenSize=desktop
...which does indeed work.
Hurrah!

ChinaLamb · 25 Dec 2018, 12:08 AM

Great find, thanks!

Grhm · Today, 12:09 AM

That link has stopped working again.
Does anyone know how to get the new desktop interface to come up on a mobile device, reliably?

(... or, indeed, at all ?)

gj15 · Today, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grhm

Does anyone know how to get the new desktop interface to come up on a mobile device, reliably?

(... or, indeed, at all ?)

On an iPad if you touch and hold the page refresh circular arrow you get a popout allowing you to "Request Desktop Site".

Grhm · Today, 02:08 AM

Does it work?
I have several different browsers on my Android phone which let me 'request desktop site', but checking that option has no effect with any of them - Fastmail ignores it and serves up the mobile interface.

gj15 · Today, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grhm

Does it work?

On this iPad I am using right now with Safari, it works well. I don't have any Android devices to try unfortunately.

20 Sep 2018, 03:38 AM	#1
bsammon Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 2	on tablet, can't get Desktop UI for webmail I have a support ticket in to Fastmail, but I'd be curious to hear from others here if this is just me or if it affects other people. I'd like to use the desktop UI for Fastmail's webmail on my tablet, but I can't get it to come up consistently. The "request desktop site" button doesn't seem to have any effect. I still get the mobile UI. This happens with both Firefox and Chrome. Has anyone here tried this? Did you have the same problem?

20 Sep 2018, 09:29 AM	#3
Grhm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK Posts: 143	I have often experienced the same problem. Modern browsers almost invariably seem to think they know better than me which version of a web-site I want, which I find infuriating. The only way I know of reliably opening the desktop version of Fastmail on my Android phone, is to use an open-source browser called 'Zirco', which is available through F-droid. The security-conscious will doubtless be aghast at this suggestion, as Zirco has not been updated since 2012, but, as I say, I know of no other way. Update 16 Dec 2018: Since the latest changes, Zirco now defaults to the mobile interface, so this tip no longer works... however a much more satisfactory solution is given below. Last edited by Grhm : 17 Dec 2018 at 03:07 AM. Reason: Update

21 Sep 2018, 02:53 PM	#4
bsammon Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 2	Okay, Fastmail support found something for me: add Code: &force_screenSize=desktop to the end of the URL (not exactly easy to remember, but I guess you bookmark it or something) Also, the following URL might just work: http://www.fastmail.com/mail/?force_screenSize=desktop (maybe you have to be logged in first)

Today, 12:09 AM	#7
Grhm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK Posts: 143	That link has stopped working again. Does anyone know how to get the new desktop interface to come up on a mobile device, reliably? (... or, indeed, at all ?) Last edited by Grhm : Today at 12:18 AM. Reason: (... or, indeed, at all ?)

20 Sep 2018, 08:20 AM	#2
Terry The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VK4 Posts: 2,708	We use this https://www.fastmail.com/login/

17 Dec 2018, 02:51 AM	#5
Grhm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK Posts: 143	There was a typo in that link, it should have been http://www.fastmail.com/mail/&force_screenSize=desktop ...which does indeed work. Hurrah!

25 Dec 2018, 12:08 AM	#6
ChinaLamb The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: a virtually impossible but finitely improbable position Posts: 2,221	Great find, thanks!

Today, 02:08 AM	#9
Grhm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK Posts: 143	Does it work? I have several different browsers on my Android phone which let me 'request desktop site', but checking that option has no effect with any of them - Fastmail ignores it and serves up the mobile interface.