# Mastodon for iOS

> official iOS app for Mastodon

**Wikidata**: [Q115796922](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115796922)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mastodon-for-ios

## Summary
Mastodon for iOS is the official mobile application for the Mastodon microblogging platform, designed specifically for Apple devices. Developed by Mastodon gGmbH, it is free and open-source software licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0. The app enables users to access the decentralized Mastodon network via a native iOS interface.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Mastodon for iOS (also known as Mastodon for iPhone and iPad).
- **Developer:** Mastodon gGmbH.
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 3.0.
- **Platform:** iOS (requires mobile operating system by Apple Inc.).
- **Category:** Mobile app, Free and open-source software (FOSS).
- **Primary Use:** Microblogging.
- **App Store ID:** 1571998974.
- **Age Rating:** 17+ (due to Unrestricted Web Access).
- **Source Code:** Hosted publicly at `github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios`.
- **Distribution:** Digital download via the Apple App Store.

## FAQs
### Q: Is Mastodon for iOS free to use?
A: Yes, the application is free to download and use. It is also open-source software, meaning the source code is publicly available for review and contribution under the GNU General Public License v3.0.

### Q: Who develops and maintains Mastodon for iOS?
A: The app is developed and maintained by Mastodon gGmbH, the organization behind the Mastodon platform itself.

### Q: Where can I download the app?
A: The app is distributed via the Apple App Store for iOS devices. It can be found using the App Store ID 1571998974 or via the official website link.

## Why It Matters
Mastodon for iOS serves as the critical bridge between the decentralized "fediverse" and the Apple mobile ecosystem. As the official client, it provides the most standardized and integrated user experience for accessing Mastodon on iPhones and iPads, adhering to iOS design guidelines while supporting the platform's core functionality of decentralized microblogging.

Its significance is further highlighted by its open-source nature; by licensing under GPL-3.0 and hosting the code on GitHub, Mastodon gGmbH fosters transparency and community-driven development, which is central to the ethos of the Mastodon network. The app's "17+" age rating, necessitated by "Unrestricted Web Access," also highlights the inherent challenge of moderating content on decentralized platforms within centralized app store ecosystems. It ensures that millions of iOS users have a native, optimized gateway to the federated social web.

## Notable For
- **Official Status:** It is the canonical mobile client developed by the creators of the Mastodon platform.
- **Open Source Transparency:** Unlike many mainstream social media apps, its source code is fully open to the public.
- **Frequent Updates:** The development cycle includes frequent version releases (e.g., versions 1.4.3 through 1.5.1 documented in late 2022 and early 2023).
- **Cross-Platform Identity:** It utilizes the bundle ID `org.joinmastodon.app`, aligning with the official joinmastodon.org web presence.

## Body

### Development and Licensing
Mastodon for iOS is developed by **Mastodon gGmbH**. The project is categorized as free and open-source software (FOSS), released under the **GNU General Public License, version 3.0**. The source code is maintained in a public repository on GitHub (`github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios`), allowing for community contributions and transparency. The project also maintains a public issue tracker for bug reports and feature requests.

### Technical Specifications
The app is designed exclusively for the **iOS** operating system. It is identified by the bundle ID `org.joinmastodon.app` and the App Store ID `1571998974`. The interface relies on **touchscreen** input and is distributed via digital download.

### Version History
The application has undergone active development with numerous updates. Key version releases documented in the source material include:
- **Version 1.4.3**: Released June 6, 2022.
- **Version 1.4.9**: Released December 20, 2022.
- **Version 1.5**: Released March 2, 2023.
- **Version 1.5.1**: Released April 9, 2023.

### Content and Accessibility
The app functions as an implementation of the Mastodon protocol for **microblogging**. On the Apple App Store, it holds an age rating of **17+**. This rating is qualified by the tag "Unrestricted Web Access," reflecting the app's capacity to connect users to unmoderated content across the federated network.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/blob/3e2282cb038b65d7695826442fcbe0d11bf1d066/LICENSE)
2. [Source](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios#license)
3. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/mastodon/mastodon-ios)
4. [Release 1.4.3. 2022](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/1.4.3)
5. [Release 1.4.4. 2022](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/1.4.4)
6. [Release 1.4.5. 2022](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/1.4.5)
7. [Release 1.4.7. 2022](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/1.4.7)
8. [Release 1.4.9. 2022](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/1.4.9)
9. [Release 1.4.11. 2023](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/1.4.11)
10. [Release 1.4.12. 2023](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/1.4.12)
11. [Release 1.4.13. 2023](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/1.4.13)
12. [Release 1.5. 2023](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/1.5)
13. [Release 1.5.1. 2023](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/1.5.1)
14. [Release 1.5.2. 2023](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/1.5.2)
15. [2023](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/2023.8)
16. [2023](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/2023.9)
17. [2023](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/2023.10)
18. [2023](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases/tag/2023.11)
19. [2024.12 Latest. 2024](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon-ios/releases)