Background

We received a request to add access to the Sandbox via a wish. We've also seen 3 requests on the Android and Apple App stores for Sandbox access. The iOS team made a rough prototype of the Sandbox in April 2023.

Feature request

What would you like to be able to do and where?

• Allow users to easily access existing Sandboxes from the Mobile Apps
• Edit Sandbox using App's native wikitext editors
• Allow users to create new Sandboxes

Current state

• On Android
  • Users must search using User:XX to find their sandboxes that have already been created
  • There is no obvious entry point for users within the UI, as we do for User Page, and Talk Page
  • Users can edit their sandbox using the native editor
  • Users cannot create new sandboxes

Sandbox not available in edits tab or "More"	Searching for User pages	Accessing Sandbox	Editing sandbox with Native Editor

• On iOS
  • Users must search using User:XX to find their sandboxes that have already been created
  • There is no obvious entry point for users within the UI, as we do for User Page, and Talk Page
  • Users cannot edit their sandbox using the native editor, it's a webview of Mobile Web
  • Users cannot create new sandboxes

Not accessible through Profile	Search for User Pages	Editing Sandbox in Mobile Web

• On Mobile Web
  • Users can access their Sandbox from the profile icon in the top-right
  • Users can search using User:XX to find their sandboxes
  • Users can edit their sandbox using visual or source editor
  • Users can create new sandboxes

• On Desktop Web
  • There is a clear entry point to the Sandbox under Profile
  • Users can search using User:XX to find their sandboxes
  • Users can edit their sandbox using visual or source editor
  • Users can create new sandboxes

Please note the use case(s) for this feature

• Using sandbox as a sort of "staging area" for large edits or new articles while on Mobile
• Practicing editing in a safe environment
• Drafting or editing while offline or with intermittent connectivity
• Storing citations, or other content for use in articles

What would be the benefits of this feature? Why should this be implemented?

• If app users make test edits, or receive guidance from other editors on their talk page, it might include instructions to practice or draft in a sandbox. Clicking the link would currently take them to Mobile Web. A better experience would be having a native implementation of the sandbox.
• Experimenting in a sandbox is an important part of learning how to edit
• Using sandboxes is important for many experienced editors' workflows
• The apps do not have the visual editor, so experimenting in a sandbox with wikitext could be very especially beneficial for app users.