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Troubleshooting: Can't Add Your Self-Hosted WordPress Site to the Mobile App

21 threads Sep 16, 2025 Core → Wordpress mobile app

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Connecting your self-hosted WordPress.org site to the official mobile app should be a straightforward process, but sometimes it doesn't work as expected. This is a common issue reported by users, and it's often caused by a few specific configuration problems. This guide will walk you through the most common reasons and their solutions.

Why This Happens

The WordPress mobile app communicates with your website using the WordPress REST API. If this API is disabled, blocked, or misconfigured, the app will be unable to verify your site and will return an error stating it's "not a WordPress site" or that it "couldn't find it." This is a connection issue between the app and your server.

Common Solutions

1. Verify Your Site's Address

The most common mistake is entering the wrong address. You must enter your site's full URL, including the https:// prefix (e.g., https://www.yoursite.com). Avoid using URLs that point to specific pages like yoursite.com/home or yoursite.com/wp-admin. Use your site's root address.

2. Check the REST API

The app requires the REST API to be accessible. You can test this yourself by visiting the following URL in a mobile or desktop browser, replacing yoursite.com with your actual domain:

https://yoursite.com/wp-json/

If you see a page of JSON code (it may look like a jumble of text and brackets), your API is active. If you get a "404 Not Found" error or a blank page, your API is not working correctly. This is often caused by:

  • Security Plugins: Some security or maintenance plugins disable the REST API to harden security. Check your plugin settings for any options related to the REST API or JSON API and ensure it is enabled for logged-in users. You may need to temporarily deactivate plugins to test if one is causing a conflict.
  • Permalinks: If your permalinks are set to "Plain," it can sometimes interfere. Ensure your permalinks are set to any other option (e.g., "Post name") under Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.

3. Confirm Jetpack Connection (If Used)

If you use the Jetpack plugin on your self-hosted site, the connection process is managed through a WordPress.com account. Ensure that:

  • The Jetpack plugin is installed and active on your site.
  • Jetpack is properly connected to a WordPress.com account. You can check this in your dashboard under Jetpack > Dashboard.
  • You are using the correct WordPress.com account in the mobile app if it automatically tries to log you in.

4. DNS and Domain Configuration

If you have recently moved your site to a new host or changed domains, ensure that your domain's DNS records (A record, CNAME) are fully propagated and correctly pointing to your new server. The app cannot find your site if the domain does not resolve to the correct server hosting your WordPress installation.

What to Do If Nothing Works

If you have tried all the steps above and still cannot connect, you can manage your site through your mobile browser as a workaround. Log in to your site's wp-admin dashboard (yoursite.com/wp-admin). While not as streamlined as the app, it allows you to create and edit posts and pages on the go.

For further reading, the official guide from the WordPress Mobile App team on getting started with self-hosted sites can be found on their support page.

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