How to Enable Website Authentication for Your BuddyBoss Community App

Introduction

Keeping your staging or development site hidden from the public is essential until you’re ready to launch. Website Authentication in BuddyBoss lets visitors view your site only after entering a password, while still allowing your mobile app to access the site’s APIs for testing. This tutorial shows you how to enable this feature and manage the password and notice message.

Tutorial Video

How to enable Website Authentication with BuddyBoss App

Configuring Website Authentication

Enabling Password Protection

1. In WordPress, go to BuddyBoss App > Settings.

2. Scroll to Website Authentication.
   
3. Check Required Password.

4. Click Save Changes.
   

Verifying the Login Prompt

1. Open your site in an Incognito or private browser window.
   
2. Confirm you see the password prompt with your Website Notice.

3. Enter an incorrect password to ensure you get the “Incorrect password” error.

4. Enter the correct password to access the site.
   

Changing the Website Password and Notice

1. In BuddyBoss App > Settings, locate Website Authentication.
   
2. Click the eye icon next to Website Password to reveal the current password.

3. Update the Website Password and Website Notice as desired.

4. Click Save Changes.
   
5. Reopen your site in Incognito to confirm the new notice and password are required.
   

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Q: The login prompt isn’t showing on my staging site.
A:

• Clear any caching plugins or server caches.
  
• Ensure you saved changes after enabling Required Password.
  
• Verify you’re on the same environment (staging vs. production) where you enabled authentication.
  

Q: My mobile app can’t connect after enabling Website Authentication.
A:

• This feature is built to allow API access. If your app still fails, confirm your BuddyBoss App plugin is up to date.
  
• Check that your app is pointing to the correct site URL (not an IP or different domain).
  

Q: I forgot the Website Password, how can I reset it?
A:

• In BuddyBoss App > Settings, click the eye icon to view the current password.
  
• Enter a new password, click Save Changes, and notify your team.
  

Q: Can I customize the look of the password prompt?
A:

• The Website Notice field lets you add custom instructions or branding text.
  
• For advanced styling, you may override the login template via custom CSS in your theme.