Be part of testing our new beta app

sadeek_the_po

Hello giffgaff friends,

UPDATE:

We've been working hard on fixing bugs and implementing new features. Now we're starting to roll out the new app to a random selection of members. If you haven't yet got access to our new app but want access, please head over to the new thread where you can find out how.

ORIGINAL POST

As some of you may know already, we have been working on rebuilding our app for quite a while now. I’m pleased to announce that as of today, the new app is now available as a beta for our members to install and start testing.

The new app is being released as a separate “beta app” which will run for a short period of time, side by side with our current my giffgaff app. We’ve made the decision to release the app as a “beta” as we want to make sure that it meets the expectations of our members first. Therefore, we want you to tell us when it’s ready to go.

WHY DO WE NEED A NEW APP?

The current giffgaff app has been used by our members for many years now, and it’s been doing a cracking job. However, we identified one problem: as giffgaff started building more fabulous features in the web, the app started to fall behind.

This happened due to the underlying technology used to build the current app. We therefore have invested a significant amount of time trying to find a technology framework that will allow us to keep the app relevant as we grow and evolve the journeys our members go through. After many months of building the foundations, we have adopted a new tech framework within our app that will allow us to deliver experiences to iOS and android devices more often, which works a lot better with the giffgaff technology model, and will allow more engineers within giffgaff to start building app experiences, leading to more frequent updates for our members.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THE BETA APP?

The team have worked extremely hard to make sure the new version has the key features our members use, although we’ve also added a few extras we’re curious to test.

The main features in this new version of the app are:

Buying and recurring a goodybag
Buying and setting up auto top up
Making payments with a saved card
Enabling/Disabling WiFi extra

As a brand new feature, we are excited to introduce:

Switching accounts capability which allows our members to add multiple accounts into the app and switch between them.

Next on our pipeline is adding a few key features from the current giffgaff app such as biometric login and voucher payment, which the team is working on as I type.

HELP US MAKE THE BEST APP POSSIBLE

We want as much feedback as we can get from you all and we’re really keen to find out:

What do you think about the beta app?
Are there any bugs you notice from using it?
Are there any key features you feel are crucial and are missing?
Plus any other app-related suggestions you might have floating around

The plan is to make sure our members are happy with this version of the app before we update the current one and move to the new technology framework. Therefore, we’re looking to work closely with you and incorporate as much of your feedback as possible.

LET’S GET STARTED

Are you an Android user? Head over to the Play Store and get the giffgaff beta app on your phone.

Apple fan?

Please install TestFlight (on your phone) please enable push notifications for test flight, so that you be instantly updated when we push a new feature
Once downloaded - click on this link
Install the giffgaff beta app

Once it’s downloaded and ready to go, start testing. If possible, try to use it as your day-to-day way of managing your giffgaff account. You can leave feedback directly within the app which can be accessed within the feedback tab in the app or if you wish, feel free to drop your thoughts within this thread and we will do our very best to pop in as often as possible and talk to you about it.

Thanks in advance for all your help and I hope you’re as excited as we are about this new chapter.

The apps team

@sasi4 , @venkat1128, @will_edw , @jaz_deol, @jeeves95, @nat_5000 @kevinmforde @mattlingwood , @riikka_gg @holyp67 @reachravs

i_am_sy

sadeek_the_po

Nice it looks smooth.

The switching accounts feature will be extremely useful for some members, though it maybe worth pointing out that that feature is there within the app itself. I only saw it was there as you had said it in your post.

Can't wait to see it once it's packed with features 🙂

richybhoy36

sadeek_the_po Hi I've installed the Android app but it keeps saying that my password is wrong when I try to login ! When I know that the password is correct!

harrrrrry

sadeek_the_po Head over to the Play Store

Repeating my request from months ago, it's not acceptable that we can only get apps (whether released or beta) via google's insidious spyware network.

Can you please please please find a way to put the apk as a direct download from an actual giffgaff.com page, It's only a 5 minute job for a competent webmaster to make a simple file available for download so there should be no difficulty doing that whatsoever.

digit2

sadeek_the_po isn’t it available on IOS?

claire1uk

sadeek_the_po

Hello.
Testflight is no good for my phone, I have Android. 😪

chand311

sadeek_the_po Hi, just installed it and good design, but need create other categories as well shown on home and profile shown under username. Submitted feedback.

bladerunner929

sadeek_the_po have been using the giffgaff app daily for a couple of years now, good to see development on a new version, have installed the beta, although basic at the moment I will enjoy being part of it growing.
The ability to add accounts is a great step forward.

stephenpperry

sadeek_the_po in it! Thanks for the update.

mrjeeves

sadeek_the_po

Hmmm I can't seem to log in!

I'll try to pull ADB debug logs for you to see if there's anything there.

Maybe it's because my account hasn't got a password longer than (or equal to) 8 characters as I made it before that came along?

Nope! Not it! Just changed my password and the same thing.

Normal giffgaff app works, as does the website.

jasminyates

sadeek_the_po downloaded 🙂 so far liking the look of it can’t wait for additional features to start using it more

sala4uk

sadeek_the_po

I’ve downloaded the app and have been having a play with it a bit. The best feature has got to be the ability to add additional accounts. However, having to log in to each account separately is a bit cumbersome. I can’t remember the the log in details for my sons account so I gave up. It may be useful to have a little pop up which tells you that you only have to login to any additional accounts.

danwillen

sadeek_the_po download the app and every time try to open app get "unfortunately giffgaff beta has stopped"

bornagain1

sadeek_the_po I hope community fora is going to be added to it? this is the main reason I access my app. I appreciate it is early days yet, but without the forums, I doubt very much I would use the new app!

richybhoy36

sadeek_the_po Hi this is what I'm getting when I try to login via beta app android

endorphin

sadeek_the_po firstly I managed to log in OK first time with no problems.

I've tried enabling WiFi Extra but nothing seems to happen when I click the button. I then go to the old app and try to disable WiFi Extra there but I can't and I see the error message "Please Manually Turn Off WiFi Extra in your WiFi Settings". However as I'm not near an O2 hotspot I can't see the WiFi Extra details to turn it off -by which I presume I need to "Forget" it?
Fingerprint login needs to be implemented as I've a 16 random character password which is a pain to type in using a touchscreen!

ma2013

sadeek_the_po
Thanks for this, I will be testing out the beta app now.... The giffgaff app is the main way I use giffgaff, so am keen to check out what you have been developing and hope to contribute to it's development! 😁📱👍🏽🙂

tito6

sadeek_the_po I have just checked it works fine for me so far. Some time just keep crashing.

shabazmoqsud

sadeek_the_po this is fantastic

looking forward to testing out beta app.

shabazmoqsud

sadeek_the_po loving the beta app so far
no issues really liking the add account feature will make managing multiple accounts and topups easier

question though when new features get added to beta app will we have to download it everytime or will the updates be OTA?

kennymillar

sadeek_the_po Still no muti-account mode, with a single sign on so I can manage, top-up and control my childrens acccounts....

This is probably THE most asked for feature on giffgaff, and the the one which has been constantly missing.

blubber

sadeek_the_po Cool app experience so far... Fingerprint log in and community access would be great... Basically a web interface like the mobile website

endorphin

sadeek_the_po when will the next release be?

johnpiggford

sadeek_the_po I'd have thought the beta app should at least be as functional as the release app? This is more like an alpha release.

richybhoy36

sadeek_the_po Hi there I have on many occasions uninstalled and reinstalled the Beta app with no joy ! It won't let me onto the community as it keeps saying either my username or password is wrong ! When I know for sure they're right .

dtuxcomp

sadeek_the_po Just went to apply a topup voucher to my account, but I couldn't find a way to do that with the beta app, it just kept going to an option to add a payment method and I couldn't find any reference to using a voucher. The current app works fine for voucher topups so I've used that, but as I'm testing the beta one I figured I would see how it handled vouchers, seemingly it doesn't yet.

darrenperfett

sadeek_the_po OK, I use the current app regularly, so I might install the beta one and see how it goes.

alantony1

sadeek_the_po Hi guys just wanted to ask where your at with the credit cushion it's been tested and was great any chance of it being a permanent feature. Alan

sharo03282

sadeek_the_po thanks for that will download the app

defraybo

sadeek_the_po
Just had further contact with @sloz
Regarding there being no change in the address bar for copying links as one navigates through the new beta app help menu but I've found the following.
after clicking on the "help" no matter where you navigate to in the help options whether it's the first page or any other page you end up on, you only need to tap the menu top right then choose "open in chrome" and the address bar then shows the full link to that page.

zedingrove

sadeek_the_po if this has already been done then apologies.

When you put your member name in if you start with a capital letter, this is what happens. Firstly selecting the shift key though the keyboard shows capitals it doesn't type a capital. Next after typing the first key the second keystroke will add multiple letters and the if you hit the delete key just adds more text. Did a video to get the idea.

janace

sadeek_the_po
I have been with giffgaff for many years now and look forward to seeing/using your new app.
I have always bought your refurbished iPhones when I need to upgrade and would just ask if it would be possible to easily access this particular page in the new app with just the touch of a button?

sadeek_the_po

i_am_sy Thank you for the feedback 🙂 , and a really interesting observation, thank you for sharing. Will log this as part of our feedback collection process. Also glad that switch accounts is going down nicely 🙂 - we will aim to keep improving the app, please keep the feedback coming 😃

persco

Had the email invite yesterday and already using it. Pretty bare at the minute but looking forward to the additional features to test. There is still multi account login there which am pleased to see. Means multi accounts isn’t nuked altogether.

Are we getting a Trello workflow then or just following this thread for updates @sadeek_the_po

sadeek_the_po

persco agreed we still have a lot more features to add, looking forward to pushing these out as quickly as possible. Pleased you like the switch accounts, we be keen to see how this helps you in your day to day management of your giffgaff account, as you use the app more often in the coming weeks.

In terms of your question in regard to Trello, at the moment we are focusing on using the thread discussion and strongly advise keeping an eye out when it comes to app updates, as we will aim to provide clear descriptions on changes we have made in those app updates.

We are in early phases but we are starting to think about general research and long term planning of the app - so yes please keep an eye on the thread and will sure to keep you posted.

kathleen414

sadeek_the_po
Sounds fab and would love to try

sloz

sadeek_the_po
Hi, looks good, one glitch I've found using my Samsung s6
is, if you log in with an inactive account, it glitches the app and it just shows an extended black over the whole screen with a white giffgaff logo in the middle

It shows a hint of something peeking out at the bottom of the screen but you can't click them,
the only option is to delete the app and install again

brulaw

sadeek_the_po

Just downloaded the beta ( I've been using the original app for quite some time ) , although it's a little basic at present what is there is very smooth and easy to use , I'm sure that as time goes by it will develop into a very efficient and usable App , and will be liked and used by a lot of giffgaffers , great work from the development team .

sadeek_the_po

kathleen414 - Thank you for joining the programme - looking forward to your feedback and ideas 🙂

dez_d

Just installed it Sadeek. I'll let you know if I spot anything that needs attention.

While I have you. I've just invited a member called @makischa

They seem to be having an issue that has followed to the beta app. They can't seem to install wifi extra.
Their help request is here - https://community.giffgaff.com/d/33030592-wifi-extra-cannot-be-installed-in-new-phone

Dez

i_am_sy

dez_d

I've seen a few threads for that today for the old app actually. I imagine it maybe something broken on both, handy we have the whole Dev team here 😃

makischa

dez_d
Thank you for this. I hope @sadeek_the_po or any other member of the dev team will be able to provide a fix soon in either the original app or the beta!

sadeek_the_po

dez_d @makischa - Thanks for joining into the beta program and bringing to the attention around wi-fi extra in the beta app and the current giffgaff app. I have raised a ticket with our engineering team and this will be picked up for investigation today, once identified the issue will aim to provide an update - and provide a fix as soon as possible. please keep the feedback coming 🙂

haseebhejazi

dez_d thanks for sharing this post

sadeek_the_po

i_am_sy - i think you may be right, on the ticket i have asked the team to investigate both issues and - you are right having the whole dev team here - should help speed the process along nicely 🙂

sadeek_the_po

richybhoy36Thanks for joining the beta programme and for raising this issue, i have raised a support ticket with the team and hopefully this will be picked up in the next few days. Were you able to give logging in another try? Or where you able to login with another giffgaff account?

mrjeeves

harrrrrry I don't see the need... The Play Store offers automatic updates (which are a pain via APKs).

Even if you do install via an APK, Google can still see you've installed it (and in fact Play Protect will automatically delete it or keep telling you to delete it).

dtuxcomp

harrrrrry Hi mate, just catching up with this thread as I've now managed to install the beta on my Google-free Android phone, it'll require using a PC and manually checking for updates but let me know if you're interested and I can fill you in.

sadeek_the_po

sloz Thanks for joining the beta program and raising this issue, we are currently working on this issue as i type. At the moment the app does not allow you to use it unless you have an active giffgaff account, the fix we are looking to implement is to allow you to login but you will be given an action to order a sim. Hope this helps as an update and once the fix is done - will drop it in the thread. Please keep the feedback coming.

hdavey17

@sadeek_the_po so the new switching between accounts facility.

I’m assuming this would help members who help to run accounts for their children or elderly relatives?

sadeek_the_po

hdavey17 Thanks for joining the beta programme 🙂 - yes that is correct the use case around switching accounts was to allow giffgaff members to manage multiple accounts within one place instead of having to constantly log in and out to manage their giffgaff accounts, so yep children, relatives or even for multiple mobile devices.
What do you think of the feature?

keithctaylor

claire1uk there is a link to the android version where it says Play Store. So click that link for android and ignore the next paragraph about iPhone.

sadeek_the_po

chand311 Thank you for your feedback - we have started initial exploration of the navigation feature within the app , hopefully in the coming weeks we can share an update on how that is going. I

claire1uk

keithctaylor
Great. Thanks for the information. 🤗🤗🤗

sadeek_the_po

brulaw thank you for joining the programme 🙂 and the kind words. Agree completely we have so much to do on this app but it is super exciting what can be done for the app, if you have any thoughts on how we can improve the app so that it becomes ready for more giffgaffers to use - feel free to drop your feedback.

sadeek_the_po

bladerunner929 - thanks for joining the beta test group, and glad that your excited to be part of the journey 🙂. Super happy that your like switch accounts - if you have any suggestions around that experience please feel free to let us know.