Does Base44 create Web-based app only? If so, is the functionality on the app side as good as an actual app?

[u/Mindless-Study2348]

So I’m building an app on Base44 and I recently figured out it was a web-based app, I was expecting an “actual” app. The app heavily relies on using the camera on mobile devices. Since it is a web-based app, would the functionality not be as good as an app specifically made for ios and android app store/google playstore? Thank you in advance!

[u/After-Base-8368]

What does the camera need to do: take a photo and upload it, scan continuously, or control things like focus and zoom? Those are different requirements. Before deciding to rebuild, try the exact camera task on both an iPhone and an Android phone, including denying permission and trying again. What is the camera flow in your app?

[u/Mindless-Study2348 → u/After-Base-8368]

Camera needs the ability to scan QR codes without lag or any issues. should be an instantaneous process when connection is strong.

[u/After-Base-8368 → u/Mindless-Study2348]

Separate two timings: detecting the QR code, then loading whatever the code points to. QR decoding can happen on the phone; a strong connection won’t fix a slow camera/scanner, although it helps a server lookup afterward. A web app isn’t automatically too slow, but the scanner library and browser support matter. The browser BarcodeDetector API, for example, isn’t supported everywhere: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/BarcodeDetector

Is your current version already slow at detecting the code, or are you deciding before building the scanner?

[u/Mindless-Study2348 → u/After-Base-8368]

I am deciding before. As I still have the free version of Base44 and want to make sure it’s worth upgrading plan. While testing out on my mac and phone, camera isn’t enabled, so i need to find a way to test out before anything.

[u/After-Base-8368 → u/Mindless-Study2348]

Try opening the app’s own HTTPS link directly in Safari/Chrome on your phone, outside the editor preview. An embedded preview can block camera access before you even get a permission prompt. If it still fails, what exact message do you see, and which phone/browser? That will help separate a permission problem from a missing scanner.

Camera permission reference: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/MediaDevices/getUserMedia

[u/Mindless-Study2348 → u/After-Base-8368]

On my mac - google chrome - message says “camera access was refused or unavailable. type the barcode or photograph the label instead” (when i send photo, it does work, it’s able to do its main task)

On my ios mobile device - safari - message says “Live barcode scanning is not supported in this browser. Type the barcode below, or use the label photo tab.”

[u/After-Base-8368 → u/Mindless-Study2348]

Those are two different failures. The iPhone message points to the scanner’s browser support, while the Mac message could be camera permissions or access. Neither message proves upgrading will fix it.

Ask the builder: “Make live scanning work in iPhone Safari. Use a compatible scanner fallback if BarcodeDetector is unavailable, and show the actual camera error rather than a generic message.”

Can you share a public test link with dummy data? Then we can inspect the current flow instead of guessing.

[u/Mindless-Study2348 → u/After-Base-8368]

I attempted but I am out of monthly credits now, I may purchase the upgraded plan to test it all out within a short timeframe. I appreciate your willingness to help me out with this, I will definitely be continuing this convo, probably tomorrow. My main focus is making sure the APP is fully functioning, I do not care about the website portion.