Connecting and managing channels on the Buffer mobile app
This article guides you through connecting, removing, and refreshing social channels in the Buffer mobile app.
📝 Looking for the web versions of the connecting your channels, removing a channel, or refreshing a channel articles?
In this article:
Connecting a channel
Connecting your social channels is the first step to getting up and running with Buffer. The number of channels you can connect will depend on the plan you're subscribed to.
- Tap the profile icon in the top right corner of the app.
- Tap Account Settings.
-
Tap Add a new Channel.
- Tap on the type of channel you'd like to connect.
- Enter your login details if prompted and accept all permissions to encourage a long-lasting connection.
Removing a channel
- Tap Publish at the bottom of your screen.
- Select the channel you want to remove from the channels menu.
-
Tap the channel again to bring up the channel menu and then tap ⚙️ Settings:
- Scroll down to Disconnect this Channel.
- Tap Remove to confirm and you're done.
Refreshing a channel
When you connect a social channel to Buffer, it creates an access token, which is like a key that the social network grants to Buffer, giving us permission to post on your behalf and pull in your analytics and comments.
Access tokens can expire for a number of reasons, including password changes, spam detection, and time-based lifespans set up by the social networks. While this can be frustrating, it’s important to remember that this is normal behavior and usually the result of the social network making updates to keep your account safe. Learn best practices for keeping your social channels connected in our guide.
- Tap Publish at the bottom of your screen.
- Select the channel you want to refresh from the channels menu.
- Tap the channel again and then tap ⚙️ Settings:
- Scroll down to Refresh this Channel connection.
- Enter your login details, accept all permissions, and tap Authorize app.
- You should now be all set and can retry any failed posts in your queue.
If your social channel still appears to have an expired access token, you may need to reauthorize Buffer within the social network itself to re-establishing the connection. You'll find the steps to reauthorize Buffer through the social network here, which are best completed on a desktop computer.