Do I need both iPhone and Mac versions?

[Danielle Segal]

Hi,
I am new to tap forms. I am just wondering if I need to purchase both versions – the iPhone version (which I bought) and the Mac versions? Can I save to the cloud / export etc from the iPhone or do I need to synch to Mac?

thanks
Danielle

[Brendan]

That’s up to you. The Mac version has more features than the iOS version and makes it quicker for data entry. But it’s not a requirement in order to use Tap Forms.

[ArsAstronautica]

Comments from a long-time user here:

I have both and find both invaluable. I run TF on my iPhone, my iPad, my iMac, and, yes, even my Apple Watch. Each platform has advantages and disadvantages. Apple Watch aside, naturally the iPhone is the most mobile of the lot. The iMac is the easiest to get lots of data into (typing, files, etc). My iPad with keyboard is somewhere in between.

One of my DB has account info/passwords. If I am not on my own personal computer, my iPhone is handiest and securest. I will use it to look up account info. But if I am on my iMac at home, then it is usually way easier to use it to simply record the info for the account I just created or updated. So here both devices are roughly equal, it will just depend on which is the most handy and convenient at the time. iPad too, I should add.

Another of my DBs contains medieval texts. Lots and lots and lots of texts with lots and lots of references and cross references and attached files. The iPhone is semi-useless except for brief looks at something to refresh my memory. The iPad is great if I am out and about, like at a Library.

A third DB is a DB of martial arts things. Here both the iMac, iPhone, and Watch. Much of the entry is on the iMac (typing ease). But when I am practicing, ever try carrying around an iMac when you do a spin kick? Here the iPhone is handy to consult for a quick memory refresher and likewise the Watch, which is really the best in this case.

Last advantage for multiple devices. Yes, I am syncing via cloudant. (Yay!) But having multiple devices means if one is lost/damaged/stolen.etc, I can then access my DBs from the alternative devices. Keep things just on your iPhone and lose it, you may be in a heap of difficulty.

So, yes, it will certainly depend on your application and hardware. They are called “personal devices” after all. But one major major reason I went with TF at the time is its universal nature across Apple devices. I can access what I need to when and where I need to. I generally stick with apps that have the cross device integration allowing me to work where and when I need to.

[Jimmy Uptain]

Its not a requirement, but I believe you should.I find some things are easier to edit on my iPhone as the ios version allows one to collapse the headers.
Also as Ars said, its nice to have it on two systems in case something happens. Just today I had a major issue on the Mac rendering it unusable. I am able to get by on the ios version until it gets squared away. I just hope I don’t have any new forms to print tomorrow :(.

[Craig Stone]

Hi, sorry, same question but what Im wondering is – Ive bought the full Mac version, does that automatically give me the iPhone version App? Or is it necessary to buy them both? as I want to use it on both devices and sync them. It does appear so but want to check before I spend more.
cheers, Craig

[Brendan]

Hi Craig,

Yes, each platform is a separate purchase. But the iOS version is now universal, so the same license will work on both iPhone and iPad.

Thanks!

Brendan

[Craig Stone]

Thanks Brendan. Thats cool I don’t mind paying for the 2 just didn’t want to duplicate.
I’ve brought my databases over from Bento and your app so far is awesome thanks.
I imagine there are plenty of things I don’t know about it though – I’ll go find some tutorials to learn more. cheers, Craig

[Brendan]

Hi Craig,

Awesome! Thanks!

You can always easily access the tutorials from the Help menu in the Mac version.

There are also separate iOS tutorials here:

https://vimeo.com/channels/tapformsios

[Craig Stone]

Thanks Brendan.
Im sorry Im afraid Im not software savvy at all. But Ive loaded both my Mac and iPhone with TF and set iCloud sync on both but on the phone it only sees itself and same with the mac. Is there a tute on setting up the iCloud sync?
Or
Can I just sync with hardwire from the phone to the mac? Im not at all sure why the 2 – both attached to my iCloud don’t register each other?
But I want to load the database from the mac to my phone and later, iPad

[Brendan]

Hi Craig,

There’s a video here that shows how to setup iCloud sync in Tap Forms 5:

It’s the first topic in that video.

[Author]

Posts