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CSS CSS Basics (2014) Enhancing the Design With CSS Adjusting the Layout with Media Queries

Not a question of the course, per se, but about mobile devices.

I've been following along using ST2 & Firefox, with the files saved on my computer. Is there a way to transfer the files to my phone or tablet, so I can see exactly what the site would look like on my phone? Does anyone know if there is a way to allow a mobile device to act as a host, just like a regular computer? It would also be nice if I could make edits to my HTML & CSS files on my phone. If there isn't an app for that, is there a Treehouse course, that could teach me how to make that app?

1 Answer

Hey Christopher,

I don't believe you can directly host a website via your phone.

There are, however, a variety of ways you can visualize what a site would look like on a range of media devices. Google Chrome, for example, has a device toolbar where you can preview what your site would look like on an iPhone or iPad. However, I've ran into a few issues sometimes using this tool. Especially when it comes down to mobile Safari bugs that cannot be simulated unless you're on an iOS device.

Firefox has something similar, called Responsive Design Mode.

If you're looking for device simulation, you could check out Browser Stack. The development team I work with uses this site regularly for device and browser testing. You can test on a range of physical Android and iOS mobile devices and tablets with accurate results.

There is also a way, with Safari, where you can sync your iPhone or iPad with the browser. This basically comes down to connecting your device via USB and some user authentication. This will allow you to view your website on both desktop and mobile at the same time.

I'm most likely overlooking some other options but I use these most.