Detecting Salesforce1 vs. Desktop in Visualforce Pages:

When developing Visualforce pages that are used both on Salesforce1 (the mobile app) and desktop browsers, it’s often necessary to adjust the UI or behavior based on the platform. This is commonly needed to enhance user experience by showing or hiding elements like buttons or modifying layout and style for mobile vs. desktop access.

JavaScript Method for Detecting Salesforce1

You can use JavaScript to check if the page is accessed from Salesforce1 (mobile app) or the desktop version of Salesforce. This method is convenient for client-side UI changes and can be used to handle mobile-specific behavior.

if (typeof sforce !== 'undefined' && sforce !== null) {
    // Salesforce1 specific code
    document.getElementById('mobileButton').style.display = 'block';
} else {
    // Desktop specific code
    document.getElementById('desktopButton').style.display = 'block';
}

In this example, the code checks if the sforce JavaScript object is defined. If it is, the page is being loaded in Salesforce1, and the mobile-specific button is shown. Otherwise, a button meant for desktop use is shown.

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Apex Method for Detecting Salesforce1

You can also determine the platform on the server-side using Apex. By inspecting the URL parameters that are specific to Salesforce1, you can determine whether the page was loaded in the mobile app. This is useful if you need to perform server-side logic based on the platform.

public static Boolean isSF1() {
    if (String.isNotBlank(ApexPages.currentPage().getParameters().get('sfdcIFrameHost')) ||
        String.isNotBlank(ApexPages.currentPage().getParameters().get('sfdcIFrameOrigin')) ||
        ApexPages.currentPage().getParameters().get('isdtp') == 'p1') {
        return true;  // Salesforce1
    } else {
        return false; // Desktop
    }
}

This Apex method checks for specific parameters in the URL, which are only present when the page is accessed via Salesforce1. The parameters such as isdtp=p1 and sfdcIFrameHost help confirm that the user is on the Salesforce1 mobile app.

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Using Custom Visualforce Pages for Mobile and Desktop

Another approach involves creating custom Visualforce pages that are designed specifically for Salesforce1 and desktop environments. By doing this, you can create a seamless user experience tailored for each platform.

Example of a conditional Visualforce page:

<apex:page>
    <apex:facet name="mobile">
        <!-- Mobile-specific content here -->
        <h1>Mobile Layout</h1>
    </apex:facet>
    <apex:facet name="desktop">
        <!-- Desktop-specific content here -->
        <h1>Desktop Layout</h1>
    </apex:facet>
</apex:page>

In this scenario, you can define different content blocks for mobile and desktop devices. The content for each device will automatically be displayed based on the platform.

Handling Mobile-Only Features Using JavaScript

For more advanced mobile-specific features, you can use JavaScript to check the screen size or the user agent string to detect if the user is on Salesforce1. This allows for a responsive design where elements adjust based on the platform.

if (/Mobile|iPhone|iPad|Android|BlackBerry/i.test(navigator.userAgent)) {
    // Salesforce1 specific UI modifications
    console.log("This is Salesforce1");
} else {
    // Desktop-specific UI
    console.log("This is the desktop version");
}

This method uses the navigator.userAgent string to detect whether the user is on a mobile device. While it’s not as precise as checking for the sforce object or Apex parameters, it’s an additional layer of detection that can be helpful for certain cases.

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Considerations When Designing for Salesforce1

When designing for Salesforce1, keep in mind the following best practices:

1. Mobile Optimization: The layout and design should be optimized for smaller screens, and mobile-friendly features like touch gestures should be supported.
2. Navigation: Salesforce1 typically uses a tab-based navigation system, so ensure your Visualforce page adapts to this layout.
3. Performance: Mobile devices generally have fewer resources than desktop systems, so prioritize performance optimization, such as lazy loading and minimizing heavy JavaScript operations.

See also: Salesforce Admin Course Duration Guide 2025

Conclusion

Both JavaScript and Apex provide reliable ways to detect whether your Visualforce page is being accessed on Salesforce1 or the desktop version of Salesforce. Each method has its advantages, with JavaScript being great for client-side UI changes and Apex offering a more robust server-side solution. Depending on your requirements, you can choose one or combine both methods to create a seamless experience for your users, whether they are on mobile or desktop platforms.

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