Reddit's mobile app gets theater mode, chat function and more

Reddit has announced a number of changes to its iOS and Android apps for both users and moderators. Reddit says these features were developed as a response to community feedback. The biggest addition to the mobile apps is the user-to-user chat function. With this update, iOS users can test out chat by opting into the feature and having conversations with your fellow Redditors.

Reddit is also adding theater mode for viewing images, gifs, videos from visual subreddits like r/pics more easily on mobile, as well as live comments and the addition of the iOS app’s speed reading button for Android users. The company is making it's celebratory “cake day” icon, which lets other users know when you joined the site on the anniversary of that day, is visible on mobile and not just on the desktop.

The iOS version of the app will also now support live comments, give users the option to use Safari as their in-app browser rather than Reddit's native one. Reddit Android users are also getting the speed read button that iOS users have, which lets you to quickly navigate through to the top comments in any conversation. Additionally, usernames of those who have created content being shared by others will be visible on the app's home feed.

Reddit is also introducing Flair that distinguishes different types of content, can now be added on mobile. For moderators, there's a new "Mod Mode" that can be switched on to allow moderators to approve, remove, and flag content on the site, and a "Mod Queue" feature allows for easier management of large subreddits. There's access to Modmail 2 and beta moderator features. Banning, muting, and other existing actions have been simplified.

The updates are available in the latest version of Reddit for iOS and Android.