• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Tapatalk is being discontinued

Rob

Galaxy S20 Ultra
News Moderator
Administrator
If you haven't already, download Forums for Android, as Tapatalk support will soon be permanently discontinued.

Why are we ending support?

When AndroidForums.com started as the world's first community of Android users, members immediately clamored for an Android app. We built our own forum app, and it worked well, but Tapatalk had a team dedicated specifically to building white-labeled apps for their customers. Their product fit our immediate needs, allowing our team to focus on building and managing the Android Forums community.

There are now THOUSANDS of Android devices and MILLIONS of Android Apps & Games. Tapatalk's basic forum infrastructure simply isn't good enough for the easy-to-use system we think Android users should enjoy.

Android users should be able to download an app and have immediate access to discussing their device, apps, games, and carrier, without a lot of fumbling around. Now they do with our official Forums for Android app on the Play Store.

Edit by Phases: Test builds and feedback for the app accepted, here!

Visitors to AndroidForums.com shouldn't have to scroll through a forum tree the size of a Redwood Forrest to find what they want. Now they don't: the new website now lets users enter topics in the search box for easy access and members can add favorites for quick reference.

There are a few important things to note here:
  • Tapatalk could not support these custom features
  • Tapatalk was making our website slow
  • Tapatalk was making moderation tedious
We made this change because we want Android Forums to be the best it can possibly be... and Tapatalk was holding us back.

Why not support BOTH the new app AND Tapatalk?

There are three primary answers:
  1. Tapatalk cannot support our new system
  2. Tapatalk is not reliable or trustworthy
  3. Tapatalk makes running forums financially impossible
Tapatalk is messy

Tapatalk is based on a bulky, old-school forum infrastructure which is fine for most communities. However, the size and subject matter of Android Forums requires something more modern and advanced. We rebuilt the forum concept from the ground up to focus on the unique needs of OUR community.

In doing so, Tapatalk has become obsolete. Topics and conversations are all thrust into one single Tapatalk category that makes absolutely no sense. Rather than keep Tapatalk enabled, allowing a terrible user experience to be associated with the AF brand, we decided it best to completely discontinue Tapatalk and instead encourage people to use (what we believe is) a far superior product. (If you disagree, please let us know how we can improve in the Suggestion Box)

Tapatalk is unreliable

When Tapatalk started, they promised to help forum owners of all sizes build heir own communities by offering a great app experience. As time went on, and they raised millions of dollars from private investors, they turned into a money hungry machine.

Their strategy seemed to shift. They went from creating the best product for forum owners and their users to figuring out how they could leverage their "man in the middle" status to build their OWN community and brand. And they did.

Under normal circumstances, I would congratulate them, but in the case of Tapatalk their practices bordered on pure exploitation. They "accidentally" indexed entire websites - including AndroidForums.com - as content on their own website. They "accidentally" placed in-app banners to download the Tapatalk app instead of our app. There were a lot of "accidents" that coincidentally had direct and incredible benefits for Tapatalk's bottom line.

As time passed, we realized Tapatalk built an empire at the expense of its subjects. We wanted out, so we spent the last year forging our own path.

Tapatalk would bankrupt us

For the reasons explained above, Android Forums simply cannot continue to operate with Tapatalk. We are an independent company with no outside financing, providing a free service, with lots of expenses. We cover our costs with ads (thanks for not using ad-block!).

As Tapatalk continues to intentionally siphon users and eyeballs from its forum partners, it destroys the financial feasibility of running a website of this size.

We can do better

Aside from our "issues" with Tapatalk, we simply know that we can create something better. Something awesome. Something focused on Android users that fit our specific needs and solve our unique problems.

Tapatalk is great for what it is: a very basic one-size-fits-all forum reader for topics with limited scope. Android is too big for Tapatalk's britches. Android Forums is too awesome to be squeezed into a simple forum concept. It was time to rededicate ourselves to the Android Community and rebuild the original experience and personality that (to be honest) we've been lacking for the past few years.

You can help us!

We think the website and app are both pretty darn awesome, but we know there is room for improvement (if you sign up for free you'll see less ads). Our goal is to build something you love, but we can only do that with your support.

A few ways you can help:
Thanks for your continued support!

We've been operating independently since 2007 and that's all thanks to our awesome staff and members. I sincerely appreciate each one of you. Even the lurkers, trolls, and spammers.

Because of YOU we've helped hundreds of thousands of Android users over the last decade. And because of you, we'll help millions more over the decade again.

Infinite appreciation to everyone who has contributed to making Android Forums the #1 destination for Android users and cheers to recommitting ourselves to that tradition of excellence!

Edit: Official thread for our new Forums for Android app:

https://androidforums.com/threads/forums-for-android™.1129393/
 
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Finally found this thread within the app. Not easy.

I was a Tapatalk beta tester from Tapatalk 2.

Then Winter got $5 million and moved to San Francisco and put it up his nose.

Taking six weeks off every other month for Chinese Festivals didn't help either.
 
Ok.. as a user I'm a fan of the tapatalk software, and (as I may have said already) I'd be sorry to see it go.

But.
For the reasons you've laid out in the post, I think you've made completely the right decision. I'm not sure if the new app is 'better'... but over the last few months it has gone from being a million miles away, to a useable replacement. That must have taken a lot of work, congratulations to those involved. That combined with the updated website, the big plans you have, and the amazing amount of awesome-sauce that you're going to use in the future without some of the old legacy stuff you were forced to use in the back end means that we all get a better Androidforums.com . And that makes me happy..


Bottom line, I like the tapatalk software, I like Androidforums.com but if I could only have one of them, I vote for ANDROIDFORUMS.COM
 
Ok.. as a user I'm a fan of the tapatalk software, and (as I may have said already) I'd be sorry to see it go.

But.
For the reasons you've laid out in the post, I think you've made completely the right decision. I'm not sure if the new app is 'better'... but over the last few months it has gone from being a million miles away, to a useable replacement. That must have taken a lot of work, congratulations to those involved. That combined with the updated website, the big plans you have, and the amazing amount of awesome-sauce that you're going to use in the future without some of the old legacy stuff you were forced to use in the back end means that we all get a better Androidforums.com . And that makes me happy..

Bottom line, I like the tapatalk software, I like Androidforums.com but if I could only have one of them, I vote for ANDROIDFORUMS.COM
Aww Andy, There's a smudge on ur nose ya might need to wash.. [emoji41] I loved Android Forums and now I'm just pissed!
And you guys are cutting off your noses here, I'm serious.. Not touching that app until you Un-Google it, str8 up.
 
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Aww Andy, There's a smudge on ur nose ya might need to wash.. [emoji41] I loved Android Forums and now I'm just pissed!
And you guys are cutting off your noses here, I'm serious.. Not touching that app until you Un-Google it, str8 up.
Enjoy your new iPhone [emoji14]

I was critical of the app before.. It's got a lot better... And there's no shame in me admitting that.

I was very unsure about the new web layout.. But it works a lot better on mobile devices, and they've fixed a lot of stuff on the snagging list... So there's no shame in saying job well done.

I was critical about the prospect of ditching tapatalk... I think Rob has laid out the case for doing it, and there's no shame in admitting he's right.

SO... on the basis that they've been right in the all the above... When they say they're excited about plans for the future, I'm going to get excited too.... And there's nothing wrong with that either.
 
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There's a version that doesn't require a Google login, but it's a fairly early beta at the moment. It is coming.

Having to log in to another entity is a deal killer. I visit a site to use that site, not have things bridged. I have separate identities on these sites for a reason.

This mixing of content providers is one of the reasons I use an old version of Tapatalk. The version I use has discrete logins for each site, is easy to navigate, and not bloated.
 
I will miss getting to use this site, as I enjoyed the threads I have been participating in, but will not install another app, specifically for this site.

That being the case, I know I will rarely remember to open it in my browser.
 
It's a moot point now but the main reasons I use TT are:
  • Multiple forums in one place
  • It shows just the latest posts (only new ones, not what I've already read...I did mention this in the other thread of what needs to be fixed)
  • Stupid simple layout; just new posts, that's all I want
  • Since I paid for it I don't see/get ads (you're killing me Smalls!)
  • No header space or flashy colors, easy on the eyes
  • It loads quickly, right now there is silly stupid lag
I will eventually get used to it and am not going to bother throwing a hissy fit but...
 
Can't say I'm going to miss TT very much at all. I briefly tried it and was thoroughly unimpressed. I'm for anything that speeds up the forums. :D

I get why others aren't too happy, especially those whose world doesn't revolve around AF. This might be the second or third (or even fourth??? :eek:) forum on their priority list and having to use a separate app to access it it like having to use a different fork to eat your meatloaf, mashed potatoes or peas. ;)

I do like the progress the Forums app is making, but still prefer the desktop interface. On the other hand, maybe @stevealbright is currently working on a version that can include other forums? :p
 
lunatic59

On the other hand, maybe @stevealbright is currently working on a version that can include other forums? 

That'd get us into the same mess as Tapatalk.

Instead, we are more likely to allow people to create communities about whatever they want. So if you like Corvettes or Pet Parrots or Home Remodeling, you could create or request a community for that topic.
 
Instead, we are more likely to allow people to create communities about whatever they want. So if you like Corvettes or Pet Parrots or Home Remodeling, you could create or request a community for that topic.

I was just kidding. Besides, good authority has it that the Parrot has joined the choir invisible. ;)
 
Yes, make it usable for multiple as Tapatalk will be a giant step in the right direction and I'd be game. I run a frikkin' Android, not iCrap so an separate app for each time I have to do something is a deal breaker and a half. My device is an electronic toolbox full of multi-tools. I'm extremely angry. No one wants to pay anyone twice a YEAR to remove ads on a standalone app that doesn't do it right in the first place. Your full page ads are bad enough and was a good reason in itself to use TT. I even looked into the ad free part but I'm not paying twice a year for something that already pisses me off. [emoji49] Might wanna look into a one time payment option. Those ads are BS.
On top of that, where's everyone's Recognized Developer status? You took those titles from many ppl that have earned and deserved them. You're not making a very good case for yourselves
 
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@bcrichster To be fair, I think most of your complaints could simply be rephrased as bug reports and feature requests.

There is another thread discussing ads. If you're logged in or using the app, you shouldnt see too many. Currently the mobile web version needs to be slimmed down in the ad department.
1st - This app is "Forums for Android". That being said, if it doesn't do what TT does: It's a lie. Sorry but true.

2nd - You killed TT before your app was even right. That wasn't the smart thing to do.

3rd - You guys don't have a non Googlized app out(can't even find a Beta version), which several ppl mentioned was a deal breaker and you STILL killed TT.
It shouldn't be our responsibility to send you bug reports when you try to force us to use a busted app against our personal desires. If I voluntarily install and troubleshootin, that's my option. Forcing stuff like this will instigate a lash back instead of progress.

Last - no mention of Recognized Developer statuses you cut.

Opinion: you guys have a lot to change to appeal to many ppl already here, these changes are gonna make ppl more mad than helpful..
 
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