Device Requirements for Editing
Overview
The Visual Builder editor requires a desktop or laptop browser with a mouse and keyboard. Selecting an element, dragging it to reposition or resize it, and opening its right-click or three-dot menu all depend on mouse input that a phone or tablet touchscreen doesn't provide. If you open the editor on an iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or Android tablet, taps on elements won't select them the way a click does.
This only affects editing. Your published StoreFront is fully responsive: shoppers browsing and buying from a phone or tablet see a page built for their screen. The device requirement applies to the editing tools you reach through Accessing the Visual Editor, not to how your storefront renders for customers.
Quick Diagnostics
| Symptom | Likely Cause | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| The published page looks fine on a phone or tablet, but tapping an element doesn't select it | The editor expects a mouse click, hover, drag, or right-click, not a tap | Confirm the device and browser you're editing from |
| The Edit button or Hierarchy panel never appears on a phone or tablet | The editor's toolbar isn't designed to render on a small touchscreen viewport | Try the same StoreFront URL from a desktop or laptop browser to rule out an account issue |
| A text edit won't save, or the element won't enter edit mode | Same underlying cause as the two rows above | Confirm the same edit works from a desktop browser on the same account |
Common Issues
Can't Edit Text or Elements From a Phone or Tablet
Symptoms: You can't edit a StoreFront page (text, images, or layout) from an iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or Android tablet. The published page displays normally. Only the editing interface is affected.
Root Cause: The Visual Builder's core interactions, selecting an element, dragging to reposition or resize it, and opening its right-click or three-dot menu, are built for a mouse and keyboard.
Solution: Make the edit from a desktop or laptop browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge). If you don't have desktop access, borrow one (a library, a coworker's computer, a business center) for anything beyond a single text change. For a quick fix, contact UltraCart support with the specific text or content change and a support agent can make it for you.
Related Documentation
- Accessing the Visual Editor - Open the editor from your StoreFront's General tab
- Understanding the Visual Editor Menu - Navigate the editor's Views, Hierarchy, Library, Preview, Save, and Exit controls
- StoreFront FAQ - Answers to common StoreFront questions, including mobile responsiveness