If you are looking for a way to access the desktop version of a website on iPhone or Android phone, it is likely that a particular feature that you want to use is only available on the desktop version of the website.
The reason for websites like Facebook, Amazon and others making certain resource intensive features available only on the Desktop version of the website is to make the website load faster on mobile devices; which have limited processing power (compared to computers) and connected to slower mobile network.
Request Desktop Version of Website on iPhone & Android
If you find the need to access the desktop version of any website on your iPhone or Android phone, you can make use “Request Desktop Site” option as available in both Safari & Chrome browsers.
After you are done using the Desktop version of the website, you can switch back to the mobile version by using “Request Mobile Website” option that becomes available in the web browser.
1. Request Desktop Website on iPhone
You can follow the steps below to access the desktop version of any website, using the default Safari browser on your iPhone or iPad.
1. Open the Safari browser on your iPhone and visit the website that you want to access in desktop version.
2. Once you are on the website, tap on Screen Icon in the URL Address bar and then tap on 3-dots icon in the menu that appears.
3. Next, select Request Desktop Website option in the slide-up menu that appears.
This will immediately take you to the desktop version of the website.
2. Switch Back to Mobile Version of Website on iPhone
At any time, you can switch back to the mobile version of the website by tapping on the Screen Icon > tapping on 3-dots icon and selecting Request Mobile Version option in the slide-up menu that appears.
Note: You may need to reload or refresh the browser to get back to the mobile version of the website.
3. Request Desktop Website on Android Phone
If you are using an Android phone, you can access the desktop version of any website by using the following steps.
1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your Android Phone and visit the website that you want to view in desktop version.
2. Once you are on the website, tap on 3-dots Icon and select Request Desktop site option.
Now, you should find the web browser refreshing and loading the desktop version of the same website.
Note: You can manually refresh the web browser, if it does not automatically refresh and load the desktop version of the website.
4. Switch Back to Mobile Version of Websites on Android Phone
After you are done using the desktop version of website, you can go back to the regular or mobile version of the website by unchecking “Request Desktop Site” and reloading the web browser.
Tap on 3-dot menu Icon and select Request Mobile Site option in the menu that appears.
You should now find the website switching back to its mobile version, which is optimized for mobile devices.
Note: Manually refresh the web browser, if the website does not switch back to mobile version.