In a rather surprising turn of events, the gigantic social media platform Reddit recently started blocking some mobile users from accessing its website in a blatant attempt to force them into downloading the official Reddit app instead.
While speaking to Ars Technica, a Reddit spokesperson indicated that: "We recently started running a test for a small subset of frequent logged-out mobile users that prompts them to download the app after visiting the site."
As such, if you try to visit reddit.com on your phone, there's a chance you'll see a pop-up asking you to "get the app to keep using Reddit." What's worse, it can't be dismissed. I decided to visit the website on my iPhone, and for now, it still works for me, so the change is likely rolling out in waves.
Reddit claims that the transition from the mobile website will improve its general user experience with better search, a personalized feed, and a better hold on updates from your favorite communities. Based on the complaints lodged by users across multiple subreddits and even X, it's safe to say that the move is unpopular among most of them.
Why Reddit blocked my daily visit to its mobile website. from r/technology
Interestingly, some users leveraged this opportunity to complain about other elements that they don't like about the platform, including its auto-refresh feature, which makes it hard to resurface critical posts once they disappear. Multiple users also complained about seeing repeat posts in their timelines, even after they had already upvoted them.
It seems rather odd that a platform that started as a website wants to fully transition its users to using the app. What about traffic? It doesn't seem like a big deal to Reddit, as is the case with other social media platforms like X and even Instagram. The service seeks to determine whether users who previously used the platform without logging in have a better experience with the app.
I am not really a Reddit user.However, from time to time I am checking few subreddits, like r/Monero, on my mobile device.But it seems like this is over now, since Reddit decided to not let me use their website anymore:"Get the app to keep using Reddit", it now says. No way… pic.twitter.com/UuTd6FIwpuMay 6, 2026
"if Reddit forces us to download an app, then I just won't use Reddit anymore," a user indicated. "Dystopian shit," another user lamented in the r/enshittification subreddit. "iI Reddit forces us to download an app, then I just won't use Reddit anymore."
Right now, Reddit boasts approximately 121 million daily active users. However, despite its massive user base, the platform has struggled to establish a clear path to monetization, especially after it went public on the stock exchange a little over two years ago.
The site heavily depends on ad revenue as its bread and butter, which potentially explains its sudden push to convert its users into the mobile app. Perhaps part of the company's broader (if unintentional) "enshittification" to get a better hold and access to track user activity and potentially maximize profit.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.