You don't need to use the official Mastodon apps, they're not the best way to use Mastodon. The official apps only arrived last year, and they were intended as "Fisher Price My First Mastodon" things with a restricted set of features.
Third party apps have been around longer than official ones, and include way more features. You can sign in with the same account on all apps.
On Android try Tusky, Fedilab, Megalodon, Tooot
On iPhone/iPad, try Toot!, Ice Cubes, Ivory, Mona
@feditips I've been happy using a browser with the web interface.
I use the advanced option when I want columns for tracking different hashtags. But usually I like the single column view so images are larger.
Just curious - what features have the apps got that make folks want to use them instead? Thanks!
It's going to vary from person to person, but mainly I think a lot of people just use the internet through their phone and they think they need an app for it.
There are a few things though, for example Tusky and Fedilab and some other apps have post scheduling which is not available on the website. Post drafts too.
You no longer need the columns for hashtags by the way, there is hashtag following now which goes in the Home timeline (more info: https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-follow-hashtags-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse/).
@feditips @ahimsa_pdx my phone browser is full of unread tabs, it cannot handle also the mastodon