Getting started with Buffer's mobile app

Download Buffer’s mobile app to schedule posts on the go. You can also create and save drafts on the mobile app, so if you don’t have time to perfect your post in the moment, you can always come back to it later!

This article includes:

1. Downloading the app & logging into your account
2. Managing your channels
3. Connecting your channels
4. Adjusting your timezone and posting schedule
5. Creating and scheduling your first post

Downloading the app & logging into your account

The Buffer mobile app is available in the App Store on iOS and Play Store on Android. Search "Buffer" on the App Store or Play Store to find and download the app.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll be able to log into your Buffer account. If you don’t already have a Buffer account, click I'm new to Buffer and follow the on-screen prompts.

Managing your channels

1. From the Publish tab, select the channels menu at the top left:

   

   
   
2. Select a channel from the list.

3. To view the Channel Settings, tap the channel again and then tap Settings (⚙️):

   

   4. From here, you can choose to Refresh this Channel connection if your connection needs to be reset, Disconnect this channel to remove it entirely, or adjust any of the channel settings.

Connecting your channels

If you haven't connected any channels yet, follow the steps below to connect a channel to Buffer.

1. Once you've created an account, you'll be taken to our Ideas area where you can start brainstorming content. To connect a channel, you can tap the Connect a channel button at the top or middle of the screen.

2. Next, tap the channel that you want to connect to Buffer.

   

3. Once you've selected a channel, you'll be prompted to log into that social account. Follow the prompts to log into your social channel. Once that's done, you'll be all set!
4. To add more channels, tap the profile icon in the upper right corner of the screen, then tap Account Settings, and finally tap + Add a new Channel under Account.

Adjusting your timezone and posting schedule

If you're scheduling posts ahead of time, it's important to make sure they get published at the correct date and time. Therefore, you'll want to make sure your timezone is correct and that you've set a posting schedule within your channel settings. Your posting schedule includes the days and times that you want Buffer to post for you whenever you use the Add to Queue option.

To adjust your timezone:

1. Tap Publish at the bottom of the app.
2. Select a channel from the channel menu in top left corner. 
3. Tap ⚙️ Settings in the channel's menu.

4. Tap Timezone under "Scheduling."

   

5. Buffer should automatically find your timezone, based on your phone's settings, so you can tap the blue button that appears on your screen if that timezone is correct. Alternatively, you can tap the search bar at the top of the app to search for a city in your timezone to select it. 

Why should I create a posting schedule?

The quickest way to get your post added to your queue is to tap the Add to Queue option at the bottom-right of the composer. When doing this, your post will be added to the next available posting slot taken from your posting schedule.

To adjust your posting schedule

1. Tap Publish at the bottom of the app.
2. Select a channel from the channel menu in top left corner.
3. Tap Settings (gear icon) in the lower right of the app.
4. Tap Posting Schedule under "Scheduling."
5. Tap on a day of the week to adjust the posting times for that day. 
6. From there, you can:

• Add a new posting time: tap Add new time, then select the time you want to add and tap Use this time.
• Remove a posting time: tap the one you want to remove and tap Remove.
• Edit a posting time: tap the one you want to edit, adjust the time and tap Use this time
• Disable a posting day: tap the toggle at the top of the screen to turn OFF posting for that day. It will be blue (enabled) by default).

6. Once you're happy with the changes you've made, tap the checkmark in the upper right corner of the screen to save your changes.

Creating and schedule a post

With your channel(s) connected and your posting schedule and timezone set, you're ready to create your first post! Let's create a simple post with text and an image to get started.

1. Tap the green + icon at the bottom right of your screen to open the composer. On Android, tap the pencil icon at the bottom right of your screen to open the composer.
2. The social channel you just connected will already be selected. 
3. Type or paste the caption of your post.
4. Tap Attach a photo or file to add an image to your post.
5. You'll have various options for adding media attachments. On iOS, you can tap Camera Roll to add an image from your phone. On Android, you can tap Select from photo gallery.
6. Once the image is uploaded, you can tap the three vertical dots in the lower right corner of the app and then tap Edit Image if you'd like to crop your image or tap Add Description to add alt-text (if it's supported on the channel you're posting to).
7. When your post is complete, tap the green arrow in the upper right corner.
8. From here, choose Next Available and then Schedule Post and your post will get scheduled for the next available posting slot, based on the posting schedule you created a few moments ago.

Congratulations! 🎉 You've just scheduled your first post in the Buffer mobile app!