I’ve been working on MicroSphere for a while: a fast, calm iOS client for Micro.blog. No ads, no tracking SDKs, no detours — just read, write, and join the conversation in an app that feels at home on your iPhone (and iPad).

MicroSphere is developed independently. It’s not an official Micro.blog app, but it’s built on the same open APIs the rest of the ecosystem uses: JSON feeds, Micropub, and IndieAuth. Your token stays on your device, in the iOS Keychain.

Why another client?

Micro.blog is my quiet place for short posts, a personal blog, and conversations on the open web — including ActivityPub and Bluesky. The official apps are fine, but I wanted something native SwiftUI, fast to scroll, and polished in the details I care about: unread markers, a compose screen that stays out of the way, an iPad layout with a sidebar, and honest privacy information inside the app itself.

MicroSphere is still in early testing (version 0.1.x). That means a lot already works well, some things are still rough, and your feedback really matters.

What you get today

Reading

  • Timeline with pull-to-refresh, filters, and unread markers
  • Mentions with an unread divider — like the timeline, you can see what’s new at a glance
  • Bookmarks with tags and a Highlights segment
  • Explore: community discover, topics, search, and personal bookshelves
  • Conversations — open full threads from any post
  • Profiles for Micro.blog authors and federated accounts (ActivityPub/Mastodon, Bluesky)

Writing

  • New posts, replies, quotes, and drafts
  • @-mentions, photos (multiple per post), categories, and cross-post targets
  • Share Extension — share text, links, and up to four photos from Safari, Photos, or other apps; edit, save as a draft, or post directly
  • Photo descriptions for accessibility — write them in compose, read them on posts

Account & safety

  • Sign in with IndieAuth (recommended), email magic link, or app token (handy for testing)
  • Block, mute, keyword filters, and reporting
  • Optional Face ID / passcode to lock the app
  • Privacy Overview and Accessibility Overview in Settings — what happens to your data, and an honest summary of WCAG support (including what doesn’t work yet)

iPhone & iPad

  • Native layout on iPhone and iPad — on iPad with sidebar, split view, and a readable feed width
  • Appearance: System, Light, or Dark
  • VoiceOver and Dynamic Type on core screens
  • Push notifications for timeline activity (optional)

Optional: The Treats Jar

Want to support development? You’ll find The Treats Jar in the account menu — voluntary tips, purely as a thank-you. Nothing gets unlocked; it’s just a gesture.

What’s new recently

The current TestFlight build (0.1.0) focuses on three things I notice most in daily use:

  1. Sharing from other apps — a real share flow, not only posting from inside the app
  2. Transparency — privacy and accessibility overviews so you don’t have to guess
  3. Polish — photo descriptions, appearance settings, and a VoiceOver pass on the main screens

Before that came iPad support, the Treats Jar, the mentions unread divider, and major improvements to auth and compose.

Help test via TestFlight?

I’m looking for testers who already use Micro.blog (or want to) and are willing to report bugs, odd edge cases, and “this doesn’t feel right” moments. You don’t need to be an iOS developer — real-world use on the train, on the couch, or on iPad is what helps most.

What I’m asking:

  • Install via TestFlight and sign in the way you normally would on Micro.blog (IndieAuth or email works best)
  • Use the app for a few days: timeline, write a post, reply, maybe share from Safari
  • Send feedback on Micro.blog (@marc0janssen) or via Settings → Contact in the app

TestFlight beta:

You test MicroSphere through Apple TestFlight — the official way to install pre-release iOS apps before they hit the App Store. The link below opens the TestFlight page on your iPhone or iPad. Install Apple’s free TestFlight app first if you don’t have it yet, then accept the invitation for MicroSphere. New builds show up in TestFlight automatically whenever I upload them.

→ Join the MicroSphere TestFlight beta

Direct link (to share or bookmark): https://testflight.apple.com/join/3Jn89MJv

Link not working? Message me on Micro.blog — I’ll help you get set up.

What MicroSphere is not

  • Not a replacement for your blog or Micro.blog account — it’s a client
  • No data harvesting or ad business model
  • Not a finished product yet — expect an occasional crash, a missing feature, or a screen that looks slightly off on your device

If that doesn’t bother you and you want to help shape what a great Micro.blog app on iOS should feel like: welcome to the beta.

— Marco