Support for custom pre- and post-JavaScript processing for offline flow actions
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.9
Developers of an offline-enabled mobile app can execute basic business logic before and after a flow action is rendered by adding their own JavaScript code into a custom user scripts bundle. Its functions must be called within a try/catch clause. The JavaScript code, to be executed before a flow action is rendered, is always called afterClientCache is called and before DisplayHarness is called.
Conditional online and offline map display
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.9
The way an Address Map control behaves in a offline-enabled mobile app has changed. When a mobile app is online, a live Google map is loaded as expected. If the mobile app goes offline, a predefined image of a map is loaded instead.
Troubleshooting Pega Mobile Client on the login screen
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.9
An offline mobile developer can now troubleshoot issues that are not related to incorrect credentials when signing in to the Pega Mobile Client app. On the app login screen, an alert box displays where the user can click a link to examine current log files to troubleshoot the issue. The contents of the displayed log file can be filtered.
For more information, see Troubleshooting Pega Mobile Client.
New Pega Mobile Client debugging options
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.9
The Mobile tab on the Application form contains two new options: a check box for enabling debugging in the Pega Mobile Client app, and a drop-down field for setting the log level to one of the following levels: Silent, Error, Warning, Info, or Debug.
For more information, see Mobile settings reference.
Ability to view a PDF file while offline
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.9
Users of offline-enabled mobile apps can now tap a button to view a PDF file, regardless of whether the user is online or offline. The associated button, link, or icon must have a Run Script action defined that calls the pega.ui.pdf.view() function with two parameters: applicationName and pdfName. The PDF file itself must be uploaded to a Rule-File-Binary rule.
For more information, see How to set up viewing of PDF file while offline.
Building a Pega Mobile Client with custom modules
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.9
When you build a Pega Mobile Client mobile app using the Pega 7 Platform, you can now include Android or iOS custom modules. The custom modules must be included in the assets.zip file that contains the Pega Mobile Client branding and customization details.
For more information, see Building a mobile web app into a hybrid mobile app.
Low-code styling in mobile apps
Valid from Pega Version 8.5
The mobile channel now supports enhanced low-code styling and branding of mobile apps. For example, you can customize app icons in three different ways: by uploading an image, by selecting from a list of font icons, or by using the default text-based icons. This enhancement helps you to conveniently customize the look of mobile apps to match the branding guidelines of your company and provide a consistent experience for users across different channels.
For more information, see Applying a custom theme to mobile apps.
Offline support for Cosmos-based mobile apps
Valid from Pega Version 8.5
Mobile apps that are based on the Cosmos design system now support offline mode. Previously, offline-enabled apps had to rely on the classic look. Now, you can use the low-code Cosmos solutions to design apps that operate reliably regardless of the connection status.
For more information, see Designing apps for offline mode.
Removal of Pega Mobile Client 7
Valid from Pega Version 8.5
You can now use a single Pega Mobile Client™ that improves app performance, app development, and meets all your mobile needs. With the introduction of new functionalities for mobile apps, Pega Mobile Client 7 is removed in Pega Platform™ 8.5.
Upgrade impact
After an upgrade to Pega 8.5, you can no longer build mobile apps based on Pega Mobile Client 7, and existing apps based on Pega Mobile Client 7 no longer connect to Pega Platform. App developers can now configure mobile apps with Pega Mobile Client.
What steps are required to update the application to be compatible with this change?
Existing clients that upgrade to Pega 8.5 are automatically switched to Pega Mobile Client.
Web portal reuse removed from the mobile channel
Valid from Pega Version 8.5
The reuse of web portals for creating mobile apps with a single web view is no longer supported. You can conveniently update your existing channels that reuse web portals to take advantage of the multiple-views experience and native mobile capabilities, such as native mobile list views or floating action buttons.
Upgrade impact
The Reuse web portal option is removed from Pega Platform 8.5 and later.
What steps are required to update the application to be compatible with this change?
App developers need to use the migration tool available on the mobile channel to move their apps to the recommended new navigation designer. When users open existing mobile channel with the Reuse web portal option configured, they are prompted to run through the wizard to upgrade the mobile channel to the latest Pega Mobile Client based configuration. When this is done, app developers should rebuild the app.