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Troubleshooting WordPress Mobile App Connection Issues: A Step-by-Step Guide

20 threads Sep 16, 2025 Core → Wordpress mobile app

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Experiencing trouble connecting your self-hosted WordPress site to the official mobile app? You're not alone. A common error message users see is that their site "is not a WordPress site" or that the connection fails. This guide will walk you through the most common causes and their solutions.

Why This Happens: The XML-RPC Connection

The WordPress Mobile App uses a system called XML-RPC to communicate with your website. This is a standard feature of WordPress, but it is often a target for security plugins or hosting providers who may block it. When the app cannot access the xmlrpc.php file in your site's root directory, the connection will fail.

Step 1: Check if XML-RPC is Accessible

The first step is to see if the file is being blocked. Open a web browser and go to your website's URL followed by /xmlrpc.php. For example: https://yourwebsite.com/xmlrpc.php.

  • If you see a message that says "XML-RPC server accepts POST requests only," the file is accessible. The problem lies elsewhere.
  • If you see a 403 Forbidden error, a 404 error, or a blank page, the file is being blocked.

Step 2: Identify What is Blocking XML-RPC

If the file is blocked, you need to find the source of the blockage. Check these common culprits in order:

A. Security Plugins

Many popular security plugins have options to disable XML-RPC. Check the settings of any security plugins you have installed (e.g., Wordfence, iThemes Security). Look for an option like "Disable XML-RPC" or "Block XML-RPC" and disable it.

B. Your Web Host

Some hosting providers block XML-RPC by default as a security measure. Contact your host's support and ask them directly if they are blocking access to xmlrpc.php. If they are, request that they unblock it for your site.

C. .htaccess File Rules

Your site's .htaccess file may contain custom rules that block access. If you are comfortable editing this file (always back it up first), look for lines that reference xmlrpc and remove them.

D. Firewalls (like Cloudflare)

If you use a service like Cloudflare, its security settings might be too strict. Try temporarily lowering the security level to see if that resolves the issue. Also, check your Cloudflare rules for any that might be blocking the path.

Step 3: Check for Other Potential Issues

If XML-RPC is accessible, the problem could be one of the following:

  • Outdated WordPress Version: Ensure your WordPress installation is updated. A corrupted core file can cause issues. Try going to Dashboard -> Updates and clicking "Re-install" to refresh your WordPress files.
  • Missing PHP XML Extension: The XML-RPC protocol requires a specific PHP extension to function. Contact your hosting provider and confirm that the PHP XML extension is installed and active on your server.
  • SSL Certificate Problems: Errors mentioning "cURL error 60" or "SSL certificate" indicate a problem with your site's security certificate. Your host needs to properly install a valid SSL certificate and ensure the full certificate chain is presented.

What If I Use WordPress.com?

It's important to know the difference between the open-source WordPress software (WordPress.org) and the hosted service WordPress.com. The troubleshooting steps above are for self-hosted sites. If your site address ends in wordpress.com, you will need to seek help from the WordPress.com support team, as their system is different.

By methodically working through these steps, you can identify and resolve the issue preventing your WordPress site from connecting to the mobile app.

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