# Mobile chat

Adapt the visitor pane, forms and chat entry point for phones, tablets and touch keyboards.

*Release 3.3 · developer, visitor*

**Settings › Chat › Themes**

## What it is

INSIDE adjusts visitor chat for phones and tablets. It changes the pane's size, scrolling and input placement as the available screen space changes. Mobile chat tabs can use their own images and positions.

## Who uses it and why

Visitors use touch controls to chat and complete forms while browsing. Developers check that chat works with the website's mobile layout, address navigation and other overlays.

## Where to find it

Visitors use the ordinary website chat entry point on their device. Someone with the **Settings** role configures mobile presentation in **Settings › Chat › Themes**, particularly **Chat Tabs**, **Chat Pane** and **Notifications**.

## How it works

Opening chat on a phone can use the full viewport and temporarily hide the underlying page. Closing the pane restores the page and its previous scroll position.

When an input receives focus, INSIDE adjusts for the touch keyboard using the browser capabilities available on that device. Messages, forms and menus use scrolling and size adjustments to fit the remaining space. Rotating a phone or tablet dismisses the keyboard when INSIDE detects it as open; select the input again to continue typing.

Some mobile setups add a chat marker to the page address while the pane is open. **Disable URL Hash on Mobile** controls this behaviour.

## Configure it

Under **Chat Tabs › Position** and **Styling**, check the mobile position, offsets and images. Check device hiding rules and **Autohide on Mobile** under **Chat Tabs › Settings**.

Review **Disable URL Hash on Mobile** under **Chat Pane › Settings** if your website uses address changes for navigation. Choose notification devices under **Notifications**. Use **Mobile Preview**, then check the result on the phones and tablets your visitors use.

### Settings

| Setting | Where | Applies to | Default | Who can change it | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disable URL Hash on Mobile | Settings › Chat › Themes › Chat Pane › Settings | website | Off in a new theme; if absent from a saved theme, mobile URL hash navigation is disabled | Settings role | Prevent mobile pane navigation from adding a chat marker to the page address. |
| Autohide on Mobile | Settings › Chat › Themes › Chat Tabs › Settings | website | Off in a new theme; if absent from a saved theme, mobile autohiding is allowed when Autohide is on | Settings role | Apply the chat tab's autohiding behaviour on mobile devices. |
| Show Notification on | Settings › Chat › Themes › Notifications › Settings | website | Desktop in a new theme; older themes without a device selection allow Desktop and Tablet when notifications are on | Settings role | Choose the devices on which message notifications appear. |

### Permissions

| Permission | Lets you |
|---|---|
| Settings | Configure mobile tab presentation and device-dependent theme options. |

## Limits and good to know

- Desktop dimensions and offsets do not force the same layout on a phone.
- Phone and tablet keyboard handling differs, including between Apple and Android devices.
- Browser zoom, keyboards, video and avatar views can all change the available space.
- Rotating the device can close the keyboard; it does not submit the form or send a message.

## Depends on and works with

### This feature uses

- **Requires** [Visitor chat pane](VX-002.md): Mobile layout adapts the visitor chat pane.
- **Configured in** [Visitor chat themes and branding](VX-003.md): Themes supply mobile presentation and navigation options.
- **Works better with** [Chat tabs for visitors](VX-001.md): Separate mobile tab images, placement and visibility control entry to chat.
- **Works better with** [Visitor messages and sending feedback](VX-006.md): Touch keyboard handling adjusts the message composer.
- **Works better with** [Custom fields in visitor forms](VX-010.md): Form inputs and scrolling adapt to the available space.
- **Works better with** [Visitor chat notifications](VX-015.md): Notifications have device-specific display options.
- **Works better with** [Joining calls and approving Co-Browse](VX-026.md): Call and sharing views also use the available mobile space.
- **Works better with** [Chat avatars and visitor reactions](VX-027.md): Avatar layouts affect the space available for the conversation.

### Used by

- **Enhances** [Chat tabs for visitors](VX-001.md): Mobile presentation uses separate tab assets and positions.
- **Enhances** [Visitor chat pane](VX-002.md): Mobile layout changes pane size and host-page scrolling.
- **Enhances** [Chat avatars and visitor reactions](VX-027.md): Mobile overlays have separate avatar layout and restoration behaviour.

## FAQ and troubleshooting

### Why does the website disappear while chat is open?

The full-screen phone layout can temporarily hide the page behind chat. Closing the pane restores it.

### Why did the keyboard close when I rotated my phone?

INSIDE dismisses an open keyboard during an orientation change. Select the message box or form field again.

### Why is the tab visible on desktop but missing on mobile?

Check the theme's device hiding rules, mobile assets and offline tab options.

### Why does opening chat change the page address?

Mobile navigation can add a chat marker to the address. Review **Disable URL Hash on Mobile** with the person maintaining your website's navigation.