How to Set Up And Customize Your BuddyBoss App for Maximum Member Retention

Launching a mobile app for your community makes members more active and more likely to stick around. It gives them easy access to content, events, and discussions right from their phones. 

The BuddyBoss app lets you create a thriving lively space that feels personal, engaging and easy to use. And the best part? You can customize it just the way you like to keep your members engaged and coming back for more.

Whether you’ve just purchased the BuddyBoss App or are considering it, this guide below will walk you through some essential steps to set up and customize the BuddyBoss App.

Step 1: Start With The Foundation 

– Connect Your WordPress Site to the BuddyBoss App

Tutorial: Connect Your App

Step 2: Prepare for iOS 

– Apple Developer Setup & Configuration

Once your WordPress site is connected to the BuddyBoss App, it’s time to gear up for iOS. This step helps you get your app ready to launch on the Apple App Store, making it easily accessible for iPhone and iPad users.

Here’s how to do it:

b. Connect Your Apple Account to BuddyBoss

Once your account is live, you’ll generate an API key in Apple’s App Store Connect. Then, hop into your WordPress dashboard, go to BuddyBoss App > Configure > iOS, and securely connect your Apple Developer Account by uploading that key. This lets BuddyBoss automatically sync app settings and prepare your iOS builds for submission.

📘 Tutorial: Connect Apple Developer Account

c. Configure Your iOS App Settings

Next, you’ll define key details like your app name, bundle ID (a unique app identifier), and build settings. This includes choosing how your app handles in-app purchases, notifications, and permissions.

🎥 Watch the full setup: Configure Your iOS App (Video)

d. Set Up Apple Universal Links

 When a user taps on a link—whether it’s from an email, social post, push notification, or even a web page—Universal Links ensure they’re taken directly into the right screen inside your app, instead of just opening the mobile browser.

For example, if you send a push notification linking to a new course module, Universal Links will open that module inside your BuddyBoss App (if installed), not Safari. This deep linking keeps users engaged within your app ecosystem and reduces friction, making it easier for them to take action.

Setting them up involves a quick one-time configuration that tells Apple which links your app should handle. You’ll generate a special apple-app-site-association file and upload it to your domain’s root. 

Tutorial: Configure Apple Universal Links

Community App is one of the simplest ways to improve retention—because your members will get where they need to go faster, with fewer taps and less confusion.

Step 3: Set Up Android Access 

– Google Play Developer & App Configuration

With your iOS setup ready, it’s time to prepare your BuddyBoss App for Android users. Android powers over 70% of smartphones globally—so getting your app on the Google Play Store is essential for reaching a wider audience and boosting engagement.

Here’s how to do it, step by step:

Tutorial: Create Google Play Developer Account

2. Connect Your Google Account to BuddyBoss

Next, you’ll generate a Service Account from Google Cloud Console to securely connect your Google Play Console to BuddyBoss. This step allows BuddyBoss to automate key publishing tasks like app submissions and syncing in-app purchases.

In your WordPress dashboard, head to BuddyBoss App > Configure > Android and upload the generated JSON key file. Once connected, you’re all set to start building and managing your Android app directly from BuddyBoss.

📘 Tutorial: Connect Google Play Developer Account

3. Configure Your Android App Settings

Now it’s time to define your app’s core settings—like the app name, icon, versioning, and package name (similar to iOS’s bundle ID). These details ensure your app is properly identified and ready for publishing.

🎥 Watch the tutorial: Configure Your Android App (Video)

4. Set Up Android App Links

Just like Universal Links in iOS, Android App Links let users jump straight into your app from a browser, email, or social media link. It makes the app experience smoother, keeping users inside your platform instead of on mobile web.

Set them up easily: Configure Android App Links

Focus On Building Your Business. We’ll Handle The Tech

If this setup process feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. App setups—whether for BuddyBoss or any platform—can be time-consuming.

That’s why we offer a DFY (Done For You) service. Don’t want to spend hours on setup or just short on time? Simply reach out and say, “Hey, can you do it for me?” Our expert team will take care of everything—from setup to full customization—so your app looks, feels, and functions exactly like your brand.

– Invest Right And Go DFY

Step 4: Power Notifications 

– Set Up Firebase for Push Engagement

One of the biggest reasons users return to an app is push notifications. They’re simple reminders that keep your community updated, engaged, and coming back for more; whether it’s a new post, a message, or an event.

To make this work on both iOS and Android, you need to integrate Google Firebase, a free platform by Google that powers real-time notifications.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Create a Firebase Project

Go to Firebase Console and create a new project. This will act as the central hub for managing push notifications across both iOS and Android apps.

• Use the same Google account linked to your Play Store
• Give your project a name that matches your app or brand
• No coding needed — just follow the setup prompts
  

2. Link Firebase V1 to BuddyBoss App

Once your Firebase project is ready, you need to connect it with your BuddyBoss App.

• Copy your Firebase Server Key and Sender ID
• Paste them into your BuddyBoss App Dashboard
• This enables the push notification functionality within your mobile app
  

Tutorial: Google Firebase Setup

3. Test Push Notification Delivery

Before you go live, test it out! Send a test notification to your own device and make sure the notification appears correctly on both iOS and Android. If it works — you’re good to go!

This is a small step with a huge impact — push notifications help boost daily engagement and bring members back in just a tap.

CTA- Hosting Recommendations for the BuddyBoss App

Step 5: Polish the Experience 

– Customize Branding, Menus & Navigation

Now that your app is functional, it’s time to make it feel like yours. This step is all about branding and user experience—two things that play a major role in making members feel connected and want to come back.

With the BuddyBoss App, you can easily style your app to match your brand and highlight the most important areas of your community.

1. Upload Logo, App Icon & Splash Screen

Start with the basics:

• Upload your logo so members instantly recognize your brand
• Add an app icon (what users see on their phone’s home screen)
• Set a custom splash screen that shows while the app loads
  

2. Set Color Scheme, Fonts & Theme

Choose colors and fonts that reflect your brand personality. Whether you’re going for bold, minimal, or vibrant—it’s your call. WIth BuddyBoss you can customize: Background and button colors, text and heading fonts, and overall theme (light or dark). This small detail makes a huge impact on user experience.

3. Customize Tab Bar and Drawer Menu

Guide your members where you want them to go. Add or remove icons in the bottom tab bar (e.g., Home, Messages, Courses). Organize the side drawer menu to showcase more options, make sure the journey inside the app is simple and intuitive.

4. Add Key Sections Like Feed, Courses, Messages

Highlight the parts of your platform that keep members coming back:

• Community Feed
• Online Courses
• Private Messages
• Events
• Forums
  

This helps boost engagement by putting the most-used features front and center.

5. Add Dynamic Content with App Pages & Directory Block

Want to go even further? Use App Pages to display unique content like announcements, support, or member guides. And with the BuddyBoss App Directory Block, you can showcase: Member directories, Groups, Courses, Events so much more.

👉 Tutorial: How to Configure BuddyBoss App Directory Block

Step 6: Amplify with Integrations 

– Add LearnDash, Zoom, and GamiPress

Once your app is branded and ready to go, it’s time to take things to the next level. Adding powerful integrations like LearnDash, Zoom, and GamiPress can boost engagement and keep your members coming back again and again.

These tools bring value, interaction, and a sense of achievement which are all essential for long-term member retention.

Learning on the go is a big win—and when members keep learning, they keep returning.

Members don’t need to leave your app to join—they just click and connect. Live sessions build real-time interaction and a stronger community bond.

Gamification makes your app more fun and keeps members motivated to participate regularly.

Step 7: Test, Launch & Onboard 

– Go Live with Retention in Mind

You’re almost there! With everything set up and customized, it’s time to test your app, submit it to the app stores, and launch it with a strategy that keeps members coming back from day one. Here’s how to do it the right way:

If you’re using BuddyBoss’ publishing service, they’ll guide you through it.

Why Mobile Apps Drive Higher Member Retention

Have you noticed how people keep going back to the apps on their phones? Whether it’s Instagram, WhatsApp, or YouTube? That’s not by accident. 

Mobile apps are designed to keep users coming back. And when it comes to online communities, learning platforms, or member-based businesses, mobile apps can play a big role in making sure your members stay active and engaged.

1. Your Community, Just a Tap Away

Unlike websites that require login and load time, a mobile app sits right on your member’s home screen. It’s always accessible. That means people can open your app in seconds, even when they’re commuting, relaxing at home, or waiting in line.

2. Push Notifications Bring Members Back

With an app, you can send instant updates to your members through push notifications. It can be a new course, a live session, or a community event, a quick alert reminds members to jump back in.

3. Faster, Smoother, Better Experience

Mobile apps are designed for speed and ease. Everything loads faster. Navigation is smooth. It feels personal and that keeps people coming back more often.

4. Built for Personalized Engagement

Apps like BuddyBoss lets you personalize the experience for every user. From customized menus to personalized content feeds, members feel like the app is made just for them—and that builds loyalty.

5. Stay Connected, Even Offline

Some mobile apps let users access content even without the internet. For example, your members can download courses or lessons in advance and learn anytime, anywhere. This keeps them connected to your platform more consistently.

Build Your Buddyboss App In Just 60 Minutes- Video Tutorial

This video tutorial will help you build your own branded app in less than an hour. It covers all the set up and customization knowledge guide we mentioned above and some extra tweaks.

Learn How To Build A BuddyBoss Mobile App In Less Than 1 Hour | BuddyBoss App | No-Code App Builder 2021

Launch Your App & Grow Your Community

You’ve done the hard work—now it’s time to share your app with the world. Launch with intention, onboard with care, and keep improving based on real user data.

With the BuddyBoss App, you’re not just launching an app—you’re building a lasting community experience.

Author Asha Kumari