Apart from the Android version at F-Droid, none of the other downloadable installation files can be found in an official platform store.

Installations must therefore be carried out manually, taking into account the operating system-specific characteristics.

Android

There are four .apk variants in the download area:

• cb_app-arm64-v8a.apk
• cb_app-armeabi-v7a.apk
• cb_app-x86_64.apk
• cb_app.apk

The first three are each versions intended for the specific ABI (hardware of the phone), while the last one contains all three previous versions. If you are unsure which ABI your phone is, you should install the last one. The disadvantage of this is that it is correspondingly larger. To install the .apk files you need to allow the installation of .apk files on your phone.

You can also install the full version directly from the official F-Droid Store. Depending on your security settings, Android may report that it is not an official signature from the Google Play Store (which is true), in which case you must agree to the installation.

IOS

IOS only allows permanent installations for apps from the Apple Store. You can therefore only install the cb_app.ipa file via sideloading in developer mode.

Linux

The installation cb_app-linux.zip for Linux is a .zip archive containing the executable file and the libraries of the app.

Unpack the archive and execute the file cb_app.
(Note: the Linux installation may be missing libraries, these must be installed later)

Web

The .zip archive cb_app-web.zip contains the necessary files to install the web version of the app on a web server.

To do this, unzip the .zip file into the root directory of the web server. If you install the app in a subdirectory of the web server, edit the index.html file according to the comment specified in it.

This is a Progressive Web App (PWA) that offers users the option of saving the app locally if the browser supports this.

MS Windows

There are two files in the download area, each of which offers different installation paths.

The file cb_app-windows.zip is a .zip archive which enables portable execution of the app. To do this, unzip the .zip file and run the cb_app.exe file. Since the .exe file was not installed from the Microsoft Store, you may have to explicitly allow/enable the execution.

The CBAppSetup.exe file is a Windows setup archive. You can use it to install the app with the corresponding menu/desktop entries. Depending on the security restrictions of your Windows installation, you may have to explicitly allow/enable the installation.

When you open the app for the first time after installation, you will be asked whether you want to set up the demo service (a platform with CommonsBooking, which contains some demo entries).

If you already have the link of a provider, you can tap Cancel here and go to the next step. Otherwise, click OK to skip the next step “Register service” and go directly to the “First steps” section.

Register Service

To register a service, you first need the url of the website of a provider that supports the CommonsAPI.

There are various ways to register a service provider in the app, whereby the route via the main menu is selected here. You open the main menu via the button at the top left (three horizontal bars).

Open “Service new” Dialog

Select the menu item “Service new” and fill out the dialog box

Enter service data

Enter the link to the provider’s website in the Service Url field. Optionally, you can enter a name for the provider under Display name so that you can find them more quickly later. Now click on “Save”.

Login data service provider (optional)

If you do not yet have a login with the service provider, simply click Cancel here.

If you have a login with the service provider, enter the login data here “Account login name” and “Account password” are mandatory entries, under Display name you can enter a name that will be displayed in the app. Confirm the entries with “Save”.

First steps

The available stations of the provider are displayed on the map with a bicycle sign symbol.

If you tap on one of the symbols on the map, you will receive an overview of the station and its articles.

Show station overview

The pop-up shows the availability of the item for the next six days.

The stations are displayed as symbols (01). The active station is displayed as a red bicycle symbol (02). The elements of the station pop-up can be clicked and have the following function:

03 – the details of the item are displayed
04 – the station’s details are displayed
05 – the booking calendar for this item is displayed.

Availability/Booking

If you have opened the booking calendar, the availability of the item will be displayed. If you are logged in correctly, you can also make a booking.

If you tap on a free day (01), a green frame shows you the maximum number of days you can book the item. If you tap on a second day within the permitted range (02), you can make the booking using the “Book” button (03).

Bookings

If you are logged in, you can call up the “Booking list” item via the main menu and receive a list of your current and future bookings.

They are shown the details of their bookings and can cancel them if necessary.