> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.buildnatively.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.buildnatively.com/natively-platform/preview.md).

# Preview

## What is Preview?

Preview lets you see how your app will look and behave before buying a build. Natively offers two ways to preview:

**Natively Dashboard Preview** - the fastest option. Renders your app in a device frame directly in the Natively Dashboard, letting you check layout and navigation instantly, without installing anything.

**Natively Preview App** - install the Natively Preview app on a real device to test your app more thoroughly, including a wider (but still limited) set of native features. Use this when your website can't load properly in the browser preview, or when you want to check things on an actual device.

## **Natively Dashboard** Preview

1. Open your Natively app dashboard and go to **Preview** in the left sidebar.
2. Wait for your app to load in the device frame.
3. Use the icons on the side to switch between **iOS/Android**, **phone/tablet**, or **portrait/landscape** views.

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Natively Dashboard Preview** only supports a small set of purely visual native features - such as [Bottom Bar](/natively-platform/features/bottom-bar.md) and [Style](/natively-platform/appearance/style.md) settings. Most native features, including anything requiring device hardware, permissions, or a real build, will not work here.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/LGYy8EPzzdprBGCcvjmo" alt="" width="187"><figcaption><p>Browser Preview example</p></figcaption></figure>

## Natively Preview App

1. Install the Natively Preview app from the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/natively-preview/id1626045691) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ncnp.app).
2. Open your app's dashboard and go to **Preview** in the left sidebar.
3. Scan the QR code with your phone's camera, or open the Natively Preview app directly, log in to your Natively account, and select your app.

{% hint style="danger" %}
Appearance settings you've configured (App Icon, Loading Screen, Launch Screen, Error Screen, Style) are **not reflected** in the Preview App.
{% endhint %}

<div><figure><img src="/files/2TYAuxpVWVGH4mVruK68" alt="" width="188"><figcaption><p>Natively Preview app example</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/DFkCjWACpJVmOqSCxlMe" alt="" width="188"><figcaption><p>App opened in Natively Preview</p></figcaption></figure></div>

## Known limitations

{% hint style="danger" %}
Both preview methods run in a sandboxed environment. Any feature relying on native store accounts, real device signing, or server-side callbacks tied to your production app is unlikely to work correctly - even if it doesn't throw an obvious error. This applies more to Natively Dashboard Preview than the Natively Preview App, which supports a broader (though still limited) set of native features.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="danger" %}
Features confirmed **not** to work in the Natively Preview App:

* **In-App Purchases**
* **Deep Links**
* **Social Auth**
* **Background Geolocation**
* **Analytics**
* **HealthKit**
* **AdMob**
* **Calendars**
* **Camera**
* **Audio Recorder**
* **Audio Player**
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
This list reflects known limitations, not a complete guarantee. If something doesn't work as expected in either preview method, test with a full build before assuming it's broken.
{% endhint %}