Frequently Asked Questions

For **Web to App**, we offer 5 plans:

- **Free** ($0): 1 app, 1 build/month, Debug APK only
- **Starter** ($19/mo or $15/mo yearly): 1 app, 3 builds/month, Debug + Release APK + AAB + iOS Debug
- **Pro** ($39/mo or $31/mo yearly): 3 apps, 10 builds/month, all Android builds + iOS Release + Standalone + Notifications + WebView Cleanup
- **Business** ($69/mo or $55/mo yearly): 10 apps, 30 builds/month, everything + Custom Pages + Store Publishing
- **Enterprise** ($99/mo or $79/mo yearly): 25 apps, 100 builds/month, everything included

For **WordPress to App**:

- **Free**: $0 — 1 app, 1 build/month, Debug APK
- **Starter**: $29/mo ($23/mo yearly) — 1 app, 3 builds/month
- **Pro**: $49/mo ($39/mo yearly) — 3 apps, 10 builds/month, iOS Release, Standalone
- **Business**: $89/mo ($71/mo yearly) — 10 apps, 30 builds/month, Custom Pages, Publishing
- **Enterprise**: $149/mo ($119/mo yearly) — 25 apps, 100 builds/month

For **E-commerce / WooCommerce to App**:

- **Free**: $0 — 1 app, 1 build/month, Debug APK
- **Starter**: $39/mo ($31/mo yearly) — 1 app, 3 builds/month
- **Pro**: $69/mo ($55/mo yearly) — 3 apps, 10 builds/month, iOS Release, Standalone, Notifications
- **Business**: $129/mo ($103/mo yearly) — 10 apps, 30 builds/month, everything included
- **Enterprise**: $199/mo ($159/mo yearly) — 25 apps, 100 builds/month

For **Custom App**:

- **Free**: $0 — 1 app, 1 build/month, Debug APK
- **Starter**: $39/mo ($31/mo yearly) — 1 app, 3 builds/month, Release APK + AAB + iOS Debug
- **Pro**: $69/mo ($55/mo yearly) — 3 apps, 10 builds/month, all builds + Standalone + Notifications
- **Business**: $129/mo ($103/mo yearly) — 10 apps, 30 builds/month, Custom Pages + Publishing
- **Enterprise**: $199/mo ($159/mo yearly) — 25 apps, 100 builds/month

Yes! We offer **one-time purchase packs**:

**Android only**: starting at $149 (3 builds included)
**iOS only**: starting at $199 (2 builds included)
**Android + iOS**: starting at $299 (5 builds included)

Prices vary by app type (Web to App, WordPress, E-commerce, Custom). Ideal if you only need a few builds without monthly commitment.

The **Free** plan offers:
- 1 app only
- 1 build per month
- **Debug APK only** (for testing, cannot be published)

The **Starter** plan adds:
- 3 builds per month
- **Release APK** (signed version, directly distributable)
- **AAB Release** (Google Play Store format)
- **iOS Debug** (for testing on iPhone)

Starter is the minimum recommended plan for publishing an app on the Play Store.

Yes! By choosing **yearly** payment, you save approximately **20%** compared to the monthly rate. For example, for Web to App:

- Starter: $15/mo yearly instead of $19/mo
- Pro: $31/mo yearly instead of $39/mo
- Business: $55/mo yearly instead of $69/mo
- Enterprise: $79/mo yearly instead of $99/mo

**APK Debug**: Unsigned test version. Install directly on your Android device for testing. Cannot be published on the Play Store. Available from the Free plan.

**APK Release**: Signed version of your app, ready for direct distribution (share by link, email, etc.). Available from the Starter plan.

**AAB Release**: Android App Bundle format required by Google Play Store since 2021. This is the mandatory format for publishing on the Play Store. Available from the Starter plan.

To start an Android build:

1. Go to **My Apps** and select your app
2. Click **Build** in the sidebar menu
3. Choose the type: APK Debug, APK Release, or AAB Release
4. Click **Start Build**
5. Wait for the build to complete (a few minutes)
6. Download the generated .apk or .aab file

Make sure you have configured a logo and a valid URL before starting the build.

The **Standalone** build (Standalone APK) generates an autonomous Android application that works with an embedded configuration. The app doesn't need to connect to the SmartAppEngine server to load its configuration.

This is useful for:
- Distributing the app without server dependency
- Faster loading time at startup

The Standalone build is available from the **Pro** plan.

The number of builds per month depends on your plan:

- **Free**: 1 build/month
- **Starter**: 3 builds/month
- **Pro**: 10 builds/month
- **Business**: 30 builds/month
- **Enterprise**: 100 builds/month

The counter resets each month. Failed builds count toward the quota.

To install an APK on Android:

1. Download the .apk file from SmartAppEngine
2. On your phone, go to **Settings > Security**
3. Enable **Unknown sources** (or allow your browser to install apps)
4. Open the downloaded .apk file
5. Follow the installation instructions

On Android 8+, you'll need to allow installation from your browser/file manager.

If your Android build fails, check these points:

1. **App URL**: The URL must be publicly accessible (not localhost)
2. **Logo/Icon**: A logo must be configured (PNG format recommended)
3. **App name**: Must not contain forbidden special characters
4. **Build quota**: Check that you haven't reached your monthly limit

If the problem persists, restart the build. Temporary compilation server errors are possible. You can also contact support via chat.

For an iOS build, you need:

1. **An Apple Developer account** ($99/year) — sign up at developer.apple.com
2. **A distribution certificate** (.p12) — generated from your Apple Developer account
3. **A provisioning profile** (.mobileprovision) — Ad Hoc or App Store
4. **A Starter plan minimum** for iOS Debug, or **Pro** for iOS Release

Configure your Apple credentials in your app > **iOS Configuration**.

**iOS Debug**: Test version installable via Ad Hoc provisioning. Available from the **Starter** plan. Ideal for testing on your own devices (up to 100 devices registered in your Apple Developer account).

**iOS Release**: Signed version ready for App Store distribution or TestFlight. Available from the **Pro** plan. Required to submit your app to the App Store.

To configure your Apple credentials:

1. Go to your app > **iOS Configuration**
2. Upload your **distribution certificate** (.p12)
3. Enter the certificate **password**
4. Upload your **provisioning profile** (.mobileprovision)
5. Enter your Apple **Team ID** and the **Bundle ID**

You can generate these files from the Apple Developer portal (developer.apple.com > Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles).

If your iOS build fails, check:

1. **P12 certificate**: Make sure it hasn't expired and the password is correct
2. **Provisioning profile**: Must match the configured Bundle ID and not be expired
3. **Team ID**: Must match your Apple Developer account
4. **Bundle ID**: Must be unique and registered on the Apple portal
5. **App URL**: Must be accessible via HTTPS

Common error: the provisioning profile doesn't match the certificate. Regenerate both from the Apple portal.

An **Apple Developer** account costs **$99 per year**. This is an Apple-mandated prerequisite for any iOS app distribution (whether via TestFlight, Ad Hoc, or the App Store).

This is not a SmartAppEngine cost — it's an Apple fee. Sign up at **developer.apple.com**.

Note: an Apple Developer Organization account also requires a D-U-N-S number.

Yes! You have two options:

1. **iOS Debug Build (Ad Hoc)**: Install directly on your registered devices (max 100). Available from the Starter plan.
2. **TestFlight**: Distribute your iOS Release build to testers via Apple's TestFlight app. Available with the Pro plan.

For Ad Hoc, you must register the UDIDs of your test devices in your Apple provisioning profile.

**Custom Pages** allow you to create native content directly in your mobile application, without an external website. You can add different types of blocks:

- Text, images, buttons, videos
- Interactive maps
- Contact forms
- And much more

Each page can be added to your app's navigation menu. This feature is available from the **Business** plan.

To create a custom page:

1. Select your app in **My Apps**
2. Go to **Custom Pages** in the sidebar menu
3. Click **Create a Page**
4. Give your page a title (FR, EN, ES)
5. Add blocks: text, image, button, video, etc.
6. Customize the design of each block
7. **Save** your page
8. Add it to your app's menu if desired

The page will be visible in your app after the next build.

You can add the following blocks to your custom pages:

- **Text**: Formatted content (bold, italic, lists)
- **Image**: Photos and illustrations
- **Button**: Action links with style customization
- **Video**: YouTube or other source embeds
- **Map**: Interactive Google Maps
- **Separator**: Visual spacing
- **HTML**: Custom HTML code

Each block is customizable (colors, margins, size, alignment).

Custom pages are available from the **Business** plan:

- Web to App Business: $69/mo
- WordPress Business: $89/mo
- WooCommerce Business: $129/mo
- Custom App Business: $129/mo

Enterprise plans also include this feature. Free, Starter, and Pro plans do not include custom pages.

Yes! Each custom page supports **3 languages**: French, English, and Spanish. You can define:

- The page title in each language
- The content of each block in each language

The app will automatically display the version matching the user's device language.

To create a new application:

1. Log in to your SmartAppEngine dashboard
2. Click **Create an App** or the **+** button
3. Choose the type: Web to App, WordPress, WooCommerce, or Custom
4. Enter the **app name** and your website **URL**
5. Click **Create**

Then, configure the logo, splash screen, colors, and navigation menu before launching your first build.

To configure the logo and icon:

1. Select your app in **My Apps**
2. Go to **Logo / Icon** in the sidebar menu
3. Upload your image (PNG recommended, 512x512 minimum)
4. The icon will be automatically adapted to different Android/iOS resolutions

Tip: use a square image with a transparent background for the best rendering on all devices.

To configure the splash screen:

1. Select your app in **My Apps**
2. Go to **Splash Screen** in the sidebar menu
3. Upload your splash screen image (JPG or PNG)
4. The image will be displayed when the app launches, during loading

Recommended size: 1080x1920 pixels (portrait). The image will be automatically resized to fit each device.

To customize colors:

1. Select your app in **My Apps**
2. Go to **Theme Color** in the sidebar menu
3. Choose your **primary color** (navigation bar, accents)
4. The theme will be applied to the top bar, bottom bar, and UI elements

You can also separately configure the colors of the **top bar** and **bottom bar**.

To configure the bottom navigation bar:

1. Select your app > **Navigation Bar**
2. Add menu items with: **title**, **icon**, and **URL**
3. Reorder items by drag and drop
4. Choose bar and icon colors
5. Recommended maximum: 5 items for good usability

You can also configure a **side menu (drawer)** for additional pages.

To enable push notifications:

1. You need a **Pro** plan minimum
2. Go to **Notifications** in your app's sidebar menu
3. Configure your **Firebase credentials** (FCM server key)
4. Create notification campaigns to send messages to your users

Push notifications use Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). You'll need a Firebase project with FCM enabled.

**WebView Cleanup** is a feature that optimizes how your website displays inside the mobile application. It automatically removes elements unnecessary in a mobile app:

- Website headers and footers
- Site navigation menus
- Sidebars
- Superfluous elements

This gives your application a more native look. Available from the **Pro** plan.

To create an account:

1. Go to the SmartAppEngine signup page
2. Enter your **name**, **email**, and **password**
3. Confirm your registration
4. You'll automatically get access to the **Free** plan

You can then upgrade to a paid plan from **My Subscription**.

To change plans:

1. Go to **My Subscription** from the menu
2. View available plans for your app type
3. Click **Upgrade** or **Change Plan**
4. Payment is handled via **Stripe** (credit card)
5. The change takes effect immediately

You can upgrade or downgrade at any time. When downgrading, access to the higher plan is maintained until the end of the paid period.

To cancel your subscription:

1. Go to **My Subscription**
2. Click **Cancel Subscription**
3. Confirm the cancellation

Your access to paid features will be maintained **until the end of the paid period**. After that, your account will revert to the Free plan.

Your apps and data are not deleted, but you won't be able to launch paid builds.

To reset your password:

1. On the login page, click **Forgot Password?**
2. Enter your email address
3. You'll receive an email with a reset link
4. Click the link and choose a new password

If you don't receive the email, check your spam/junk folder.

The number of apps depends on your plan:

- **Free**: 1 app
- **Starter**: 1 app
- **Pro**: 3 apps
- **Business**: 10 apps
- **Enterprise**: 25 apps

If you need more apps, upgrade to a higher plan from **My Subscription**.

We accept payment by **credit card** (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) via **Stripe**, our secure payment processor.

Payment is available monthly or yearly (with ~20% discount). All transactions are secure and encrypted.

To publish on the Google Play Store:

1. Create a **Google Play Console** account ($25 one-time) at play.google.com/console
2. Generate an **AAB Release** build from SmartAppEngine (Starter plan minimum)
3. Create a new app in the Google Play Console
4. Upload your .aab file
5. Fill in the Store listing (description, screenshots, category)
6. Submit for review

The **Business** plan includes assisted publishing service.

To publish on the App Store:

1. Have an **Apple Developer** account ($99/year)
2. Configure your iOS credentials in SmartAppEngine
3. Generate an **iOS Release** build (Pro plan minimum)
4. Upload the .ipa file via **App Store Connect** or **Transporter**
5. Fill in the app metadata (description, screenshots, category)
6. Submit for Apple review (usually 24-48h)

The **Business** plan includes assisted publishing service on the App Store.

A **Google Play Console** account costs **$25 one-time** (no annual subscription). This is a Google fee, not a SmartAppEngine fee.

With this account, you can publish an unlimited number of apps on the Google Play Store. Sign up at **play.google.com/console**.

**Assisted publishing** on stores (Google Play + App Store) is included from the **Business** plan:

- Web to App Business: $69/mo
- WordPress Business: $89/mo
- WooCommerce Business: $129/mo
- Custom App Business: $129/mo

Enterprise plans also include this service. With this service, our team guides you through the publishing process.

Yes! With an **APK Release** build (Starter plan minimum), you can distribute your app directly:

- Via **download link** (email, website, QR code)
- Through alternative platforms (APKPure, F-Droid, etc.)
- Via **direct sharing** (Bluetooth, file transfer)

Users will need to enable "Unknown sources" on their Android to install it. The APK Release format is signed and ready to use.

A blank white page on launch can be caused by:

1. **Inaccessible URL**: Check that your site URL is accessible from a mobile browser
2. **HTTPS required**: Android requires HTTPS. If your site is HTTP, switch to HTTPS
3. **Redirect**: If your URL redirects, use the final URL
4. **Site maintenance**: Check that your site is not temporarily offline

Test the URL in a mobile browser to confirm it works.

By default, zoom may be disabled for a better mobile user experience. If you want to re-enable it:

1. Check your app settings in the **WebView** section
2. Zoom behavior depends on your website's meta viewport tag
3. Make sure your website doesn't have `user-scalable=no` in the viewport tag

Note: on most responsive sites, zoom is not necessary as content already adapts to the screen.

If push notifications are not working:

1. **Check your plan**: Notifications require the Pro plan minimum
2. **Firebase credentials**: Verify your FCM key is correct in settings
3. **Permissions**: The user must have accepted notifications on their device
4. **Rebuild needed**: After configuring Firebase, launch a new build
5. **Device token**: Check that the device is registered in the devices list

Go to **Notifications > Devices** to see registered devices.

Typical build times are:

- **APK Debug**: 3-8 minutes
- **APK Release**: 5-10 minutes
- **AAB Release**: 5-10 minutes
- **iOS Build**: 10-20 minutes

If the build takes more than 30 minutes, there may be an issue. Check:
- Does the build page show progress?
- Try refreshing the page
- If the build is stuck, cancel it and start a new one

During high demand periods, builds may be queued.

If the display is incorrect:

1. **Non-responsive site**: Your website must be responsive (mobile-adapted). Test it in Chrome mobile mode
2. **WebView Cleanup**: Enable WebView Cleanup (Pro plan) to remove desktop elements (header, footer, sidebar)
3. **Cache**: Uninstall and reinstall the app to clear cache
4. **Mobile-specific URL**: If your site has a mobile version (m.example.com), use that URL

Tip: test first with Debug APK before doing a Release build.

You can contact support in several ways:

1. **Live chat**: Use the chat widget (this one!) to talk with our bot or request a human agent
2. **Contact page**: Fill out the form on our website's Contact page
3. **Escalation**: In the chat, type "talk to a human" to be transferred to an agent

Response times vary by plan. Business and Enterprise plans get priority support.

A 404 error in your app means the requested page doesn't exist on your website. Check:

1. **Base URL**: Is the URL configured in SmartAppEngine still valid?
2. **Deleted pages**: Have you deleted or renamed pages on your site?
3. **Menu links**: Check that all URLs in your navigation bar and side menu are correct
4. **Redirects**: If you changed your site structure, set up 301 redirects

Fix the URLs in your app configuration then launch a new build.