--- url: >- https://docs.corbitaltech.dev/products/wmsaas-bundle-mobile-app/before-you-start.md description: >- What the platform admin must turn on before workspace users can sign in to the WhatsMark: Inbox, CRM & Bots app. --- # Before You Start Before anyone can use the mobile app, a few things must be ready on your WhatsMark SaaS Bundle website. This page explains each one and who needs to do it. In this guide: * **Platform admin** means the person who owns and manages the whole WhatsMark SaaS Bundle website. * **Workspace** means one business account on your website. Each workspace has its own chats, contacts and team members. * **Workspace user** means the owner or a staff member of a workspace. Workspace users are the people who sign in to the app. ## Checklist Make sure: * Your website runs **WhatsMark SaaS Bundle version 1.3.0 or later**. * The mobile app is turned on in the website admin settings. * The workspace's plan includes the **Mobile App** feature. * The workspace user has an active account on the website, with a verified email address. * The workspace's plan or trial is active. * The workspace has connected its WhatsApp Business account on the website. This is needed for the Inbox, Campaigns and Templates. The steps below explain each item. ## Step 1: Turn On the Mobile App (Platform Admin) The platform admin must allow the mobile app to connect to the website. 1. Sign in to the website as the platform admin. 2. Go to **System Settings → Mobile App**. 3. Turn on **Enable mobile app**. 4. Click **Save Changes**. You only need to do this once. If **Enable mobile app** is turned off later, the app cannot connect to your website. Everyone who is using the app sees a **Mobile app unavailable** screen. The app opens again by itself when the platform admin turns the setting back on. ### Maintenance Mode (Optional) Use **Maintenance mode** when you need to stop people from using the app for a short time, for example while you update the website. 1. Turn on **Maintenance mode**. 2. In **Maintenance message**, type the message you want users to see, for example "The app is under maintenance. Please try again later." 3. Click **Save Changes**. While maintenance mode is on, everyone using the app sees an **Under maintenance** screen with your message. When you turn maintenance mode off and save, the app opens again by itself within about 30 seconds. ### Push Notifications (Optional) Push notifications let the app alert users on their phone when a customer writes to them or when a chat is assigned to them. See [Notifications](/products/wmsaas-bundle-mobile-app/notifications.md) for how users manage them in the app. To turn on push notifications, you need a **Firebase service account file**. Firebase is Google's service that delivers notifications to phones. The file is a key that lets your website send notifications through Firebase. 1. Turn on **Push notifications**. 2. Open the Firebase console for your app's Firebase project. 3. Go to **Project settings → Service accounts**. 4. Click **Generate new private key**. Firebase downloads a `.json` file. 5. Open the file in a text editor, copy **all** of its content, and paste it into the **Firebase service account (JSON)** box. 6. Click **Save Changes**. You only need to do this once. Do it again only if you create a new key in Firebase. ::: warning Keep this file private The service account file gives access to your Firebase project. Do not share it or post it anywhere public. ::: ## Step 2: Add the Mobile App Feature to Your Plans (Platform Admin) A workspace user can only sign in to the app if their workspace's plan includes the **Mobile App** feature. ::: warning The Mobile App feature is off on existing plans Plans that were created before you added the mobile app do not include the **Mobile App** feature. Edit each plan that should include the app and turn the feature on. ::: 1. In the website admin, open the plan you want to change. 2. Turn on the **Mobile App** feature. 3. Save the plan. Repeat this for every plan that should include the app. If a user's plan does not include the feature, the sign-in screen shows: **"Your plan doesn't include the mobile app. Upgrade it on the website."** ## Step 3: Connect WhatsApp (Workspace Owner) The workspace's WhatsApp Business account is connected on the **website only**. You cannot connect WhatsApp from inside the app. Until WhatsApp is connected, the **Inbox**, **Campaigns** and template screens in the app show a **Connect WhatsApp** card instead of their content. See [Troubleshooting](/products/wmsaas-bundle-mobile-app/troubleshooting.md#whatsapp-isn-t-connected) for details. ## Step 4: Share Your Website Address With Your Users When a user opens the app for the first time, they may be asked for your website address, for example `https://app.yourcompany.com`. Give this address to your users so they can connect the app. ::: tip Your app may already know the address If your app was built for one website only, users never see the address screen. The app goes straight to the sign-in screen. ::: ## Things to Know * **One phone per user.** A user can be signed in on one phone at a time. If the same user signs in on a second phone, they are automatically signed out on the first phone, and the first phone shows a message about it. * **Accounts are created on the website.** The app has no sign-up form. The **Register** link on the sign-in screen opens your website's sign-up page in the phone's browser. * **Platform admin accounts cannot sign in to the app.** The app is for workspace users only. * **Some pages stay on the website.** Bots, quick reply management, workspace settings, subscription and profile editing open in the phone's browser. ## Next Step Install the app and open it. Continue with [Welcome and Connect Your Workspace](/products/wmsaas-bundle-mobile-app/welcome-and-connect.md).