Published June 4, 2024 • phpBB / Forum Management

The Problem

Tapatalk used to let you turn off the app download banner. Then they removed that option and started pushing forum admins to pay for a custom app just to disable the banner.

That's terrible user experience. The banner shows up on every mobile visit, and some browsers have trouble remembering the "dismiss" setting. If you run a mobile-friendly theme, Tapatalk is just dead weight.

Here's how to remove it permanently.

The Fix

You need to edit one file and comment out one line. You can do this via cPanel or download the file via FTP, edit it, and re-upload.

Step 1: Find the File

Navigate to this file on your server:

/mobiquo/smartbanner/head.inc.php

Step 2: Find This Line

It's usually around line 205, but the line number changes between versions. Search for:

$app_head_include .= $app_banner_head;

Step 3: Comment It Out

Add two slashes before the line to comment it out:

//$app_head_include .= $app_banner_head;

Save the file.

Step 4: Clear phpBB Cache

Log into your phpBB admin panel (ACP), go to the General tab, and click Purge the cache.

If you skip this step, the banner might still show up until the cache expires.

Alternative Method (Riskier)

Some people delete appbanner.js instead of commenting out the PHP line. This works, but it could cause JavaScript errors depending on how Tapatalk is set up.

I'd stick with commenting out the PHP line. It's cleaner and won't break anything.

Why This Matters

Removing the Tapatalk banner has real benefits:

• Better first impressions: New visitors won't think they need an app just to read your forum
• No cookie issues: People with cookies disabled won't get spammed with the banner on every page load
• Faster page loads: The banner adds extra JavaScript and can slow down mobile load times significantly (better for SEO)
• Better ad revenue: Regular ads perform way better than Tapatalk's revenue sharing

Should You Remove Tapatalk Entirely?

If you have a mobile-friendly phpBB theme, you probably don't need Tapatalk at all. But some long-time members might still use the Tapatalk app out of habit.

I kept Tapatalk installed but disabled the banner. That way people who actually want to use the app still can, but it's not shoved in everyone's face.

The Bigger Picture

Tapatalk is a legacy product trying to stay relevant by being annoying. Forums have moved on. Most modern forum software has built-in mobile responsiveness without needing a third-party app.

If you're still running phpBB, this fix will make your mobile experience way better.