While the Gather mobile experience is still a work in progress, we're excited that you can now use Gather on your smartphone or tablet! The following article provides basic information on how to use Gather on a smart device.
Notes: Your experience may vary slightly based on your device's operating system and browser. Right now, we do not support Chrome on iPhones.
When you visit a Gather Space on mobile, a warning displays that functionality on mobile is limited. Select I understand and wish to proceed. (If you'd prefer to visit the Space on your desktop, enter your email address and select Submit. You'll receive an email with a link to the Space.)
Select "I understand and wish to proceed" to enter the Gather Space.
If you are not signed in, the character picker displays. Make any changes to customize your character. When you're finished, select Next Step. (You can always change your character once you're in the Space.)
When entering a Space for the first time, design the character that will represent you in the Space.
Next, enter the name you'd like to display for you in the Space. Select Finish.
Enter your name and select Finish.
If you have not visited Gather on your phone before, you are prompted to grant permission to Gather to access your microphone and camera. Select Allow.
You may need to grant permission for Gather to use your mic and camera.
You can now see the Check Your Hair screen, which shows a preview of your video. The dynamic green audio level indicator lets you test your mic. You can change the Video or Audio options by selecting the drop-downs.
Select your camera input and audio output. You can preview your video and check your hair!
If you want to turn off your video or mute your mic prior to entering the Space, tap the mic or camera icons beneath the video preview. (You can also turn your mic and camera on and off from within the Space.)
To turn off your mic or camera prior to entering a Space, tap the mic or camera icons beneath the video preview.
When you're happy with your audio and video, select Join the Gathering. The Space loads, and if this is your first time, instructions display to show that you can hold and drag or double tap to move.
If it's your first time to use Gather on your phone, you'll see instruction on how to move. Double tap or hold and drag to move.
You can now move around the Space.
Tap the mic and camera icons at the bottom of the screen to turn your audio and video on or off. (Remember, you may need to grant permission for Gather to use your mic or camera.)
Interacting with Others
When you approach someone, their video preview will show at the top of the screen. Tap the camera icon beneath their video preview to turn your view of their video feed on or off.
Tap the camera icon to turn someone's incoming video on or off for you.
You can also see someone's shared screen. Tap the preview to enlarge the shared screen (or enlarge the video preview). To reduce the size of a shared screen (or the size of a video preview), tap the arrows in the top right corner.
Tap the collapsing arrow in the top right corner of the video or screen preview to reduce the size.
If someone sends you a chat message, you will see a notification on the Chat icon at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the chat icon to view the chat panel and read or send messages.
Tap the chat icon to view messages. Use the Message field to send chat messages. Collapse the chat by tapping the "x" in the top right corner.
You can view and send messages from your phone! Tap the "x" to collapse the chat panel.
You can also view the list of people in the Space by selecting the Chat icon at the bottom of the screen, then selecting the Participants tab.
You can view people currently online and in the Space by selecting the Chat icon, then tapping on the Participants tab.
Select a person's name from Participants to open their info card. From the info card, you can send a message, locate the person on the Map, follow them in the Space, or block them so they cannot interact with you.
Tap a person's name to view their info card, where you can send them a message, locate them, follow them, or block them.
Interactive Objects
If you encounter an interactive object, a tooltip displays. Most tooltips read "Press "x" to interact, though some may have custom messages. An "x" icon displays at the bottom right of your screen when you're within the object's activation distance. Tap the "x" to view the interaction.
To view an interactive object, select the "x" icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Warning: Currently you cannot play videos that are embedded in interactive objects.
Settings
Tap the Settings icon at the bottom left the screen (displays at the corner of your character or video preview) to view your settings.
Tap the Settings icon at the bottom left of the screen to view the Settings menu.
You can manage the following settings:
- Edit: Change your character or your display name.
- Quiet mode: Limits your audio and video connections. (This feature is not available in remote work Spaces.)
- Back to Home: Takes you to https://gather.town/app.
- Change A/V input: Change your input for mic and camera.
- Report an issue: Send a bug report.
- Respawn: Return to the default Spawn location for the Space.
- Sign In/Sign Out: Log in or out of your Gather account.
Available mobile settings.