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In Brief

My current favorite iOS apps for Mastodon.

I’ve been using Mastodon for a while. Apparently at least since April of 2017‽?!

I tend to use Mastodon on my phone at least as much as I do through a browser. At various times I’ve used Toot!, Metatext, Mast, Amaroq, and just a browser tab pinned to appear as its own “app.”

I haven’t ever used the “official” Mastodon app, but I have repeatedly heard that it doesn’t offer the full features of the web interface.

So here’s a list of apps I’d recommend, on iOS. I’m sorry, but I don’t have an Android device, so I can’t offer any recommendations there.

Toot!

On iOS, by far my favorite app is Toot! for Mastodon.

Here’s some of what I love about it:

  • It works smoothly with multiple accounts.
  • It handles accessibility features like reading and adding image altText wonderfully.
  • It offers multiple light and dark modes.
  • It provides “subway map” connecting lines that make it far easier to perceive response chains.
  • It’s made by someone who has used Mastodon for quite a while and understands a variety of use cases.
  • It doesn’t collect any information as you use it or show you any ads.
  • It generally is delightful.

Here’s the app’s own Mastodon account, if you’d like to follow it for updates.

Metatext

As for free apps, my current preference is Metatext.

Here are the things I really like about it:

  • It handles multiple accounts well. (Although the interface could be clearer; one has to click on your own profile image in order to bring up the menu where you can click on “Accounts” to switch between your accounts.)
  • It has a dark theme, which is important for insomniac scrolling.
  • It easily displays alt text for images. (Press on an image and it will focus in a sort of “lightbox” modal that hides the rest of the post, exposing the alt text at the bottom of the screen somewhat like a caption.)

If you’re looking for a free Mastodon app, it’s a great one to try out.

My Other Notes on Mastodon

You might also want to check out:
  • :seedling: = emerging note
  • :herb: = established note
  • :evergreen_tree: = evergreen note
  • open access = open access
  • :closed_lock_with_key: = paywalled
  • general web link = general web link

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