Summary: This document explains the upcoming removal (sunsetting) of the "Social" tab integration. It clarifies what is changing, what is not affected, and provides step-by-step instructions for the recommended alternative: linking directly to social media pages using Web Links.
Before You Begin
- What's Happening: The "Social" tab, which directly integrates Facebook and Instagram posts into the app's Newsfeed, is being removed.
- What is NOT Affected: This change will not impact any manually created tabs or layout links that point to a social media URL. Those will continue to function normally.
- The Go-Forward Solution: The official and recommended way to connect your app to your social media pages is by using the "Web Link" feature in either the Tabs or Layout editor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
There are two primary ways to link to a social media page.
Method 1: Create a Social Media Tab
- Navigate to the Tabs section in the app dashboard.
- Click to add a new Web Link tab.
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Click on the new tab you just created to open its settings menu on the right.
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Enter the full URL for your social media page (e.g., https://www.instagram.com/yourchurch) in the URL field. You can also customize the tab name and icon.
- Select whether you want the link to open in an external browser. Save your changes.
Method 2: Link from a Layout Item
- Navigate to the Layout Editor in the app dashboard.
- Click on the layout item (e.g., a square or button) you want to use for your social media link.
- In the settings menu that appears, select the 'Link to webpage' action.
- Enter the full URL for your social media page in the provided field.
- Save your changes. When a user taps this item in the app, it will now open the link.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
- Will our current "Facebook" tab stop working? No. If you have an existing tab that uses the "Web Link" feature to open your Facebook page, it is not affected by this change and will continue to work perfectly. The only feature being removed is the direct integration that pulls posts into the in-app Newsfeed.
- What is the difference between the old integration and the new method? The old "Social" integration pulled posts from Facebook or Instagram into the app's Newsfeed. The recommended "Web Link" method directs users from the app to your actual social media page, providing a more reliable and up-to-date experience.
- Why is this feature being removed? The direct integration is being sunsetted to ensure better app performance and stability. Using direct Web Links provides a more consistent and reliable way for your members to engage with your social media content.