Sarath Tharayil
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The Complete Guide to Blogging from Your Mobile Device
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7 min read

In today’s fast-paced world, waiting to get back to your laptop just to write a blog post feels outdated. Whether you’re traveling, commuting, or simply lounging on the couch, you can manage your markdown-based static blog directly from your mobile device. This comprehensive guide explores proven techniques to maintain your blog using just your Android or iOS device.

1. Using GitHub Mobile to Upload Markdown Files

If your static blog is hosted on GitHub Pages or another Git-based platform, the GitHub Mobile App offers a straightforward solution.

Steps:

  1. Open the GitHub Mobile app
  2. Navigate to your blog’s repository
  3. Open the _posts or content folder where your markdown files are stored
  4. Tap ”+” (Add File) and create a new .md or .mdx file
  5. Use the correct frontmatter format (like the YAML at the top of this post)
  6. Write your blog post using markdown syntax
  7. Commit the changes directly to your main branch or create a pull request

Filename tip: Remember to follow your platform’s naming convention, such as YYYY-MM-DD-post-title.md for Jekyll blogs.

Pros: Simple, integrated with GitHub, supports basic markdown editing
Cons: Limited preview options, requires internet connection, basic editor functionality

2. Leveraging Dedicated Markdown Editors with Git Integration

For a more powerful writing experience, combine a feature-rich markdown editor with Git capabilities.

  • iA Writer ($29.99, iOS/Android) - Clean interface with syntax highlighting and document library
  • Drafts (iOS, freemium) - Capture text and send to various services with powerful actions
  • JotterPad (Android, freemium) - Creative writing suite with cloud integration
  • Markor (Android, free/open-source) - Versatile markdown editor with file management

Advanced Workflow:

  1. Write and format your post in your markdown editor of choice
  2. Set up Working Copy (iOS) or MGit (Android) as your Git client
  3. Configure repository access in the Git client with your credentials
  4. Use the “Open in…” or share function to move your draft to the Git client
  5. Commit and push changes when ready to publish

Pro tip: iA Writer can directly commit to Git repositories when configured with Working Copy on iOS, creating a seamless writing-to-publishing pipeline.

Pros: Distraction-free writing environment, offline capabilities, markdown previews
Cons: May require multiple apps, initial setup complexity

3. Mobile-First CMS Solutions

Several content management systems now offer excellent mobile experiences for markdown-based blogs.

Notable Options:

  • Forestry.io - Headless CMS with mobile-responsive interface
  • NetlifyCMS - Open-source CMS for Git workflows
  • Stackbit - Visual editor for Jamstack sites

Implementation:

  1. Connect your repository to your chosen CMS
  2. Access the CMS through your mobile browser
  3. Create and edit posts through the user-friendly interface
  4. Publish directly from your mobile device

Pros: User-friendly interfaces, no need for technical Git knowledge
Cons: Requires internet connection, may have limited offline capabilities

4. Using Note-Taking Apps with Export Capabilities

Leverage powerful note-taking apps as an intermediary step in your mobile blogging workflow.

  • Obsidian (free, iOS/Android) - Powerful markdown editor with extensive plugin ecosystem
  • Notion (freemium, iOS/Android) - All-in-one workspace with markdown support
  • Bear (iOS only, subscription) - Beautiful markdown editor with export options

Streamlined Workflow:

  1. Draft posts in your note-taking app of choice
  2. Organize ideas with tags, folders, or backlinks
  3. Export as markdown when ready to publish
  4. Use GitHub Mobile or a Git client to upload the exported file

Advanced automation: Set up Shortcuts (iOS) or Tasker (Android) to automate the export-to-publish workflow.

Pros: Familiar interface, powerful organization features, works offline
Cons: Requires manual export and upload steps

5. Automating Blog Updates with Mobile CI/CD Workflows

Create a completely automated pipeline using cloud storage and continuous integration.

Implementation Steps:

  1. Set up a folder in Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive dedicated to blog posts
  2. Configure a GitHub Action that monitors this folder for changes
  3. Write posts in any mobile editor that syncs with your cloud storage
  4. The GitHub Action automatically commits new or modified files to your repository
# Example GitHub Action workflow for syncing with Google Drive
name: Sync Google Drive to Blog
on:
  schedule:
    - cron: '0 */6 * * *'  # Run every 6 hours
jobs:
  sync:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
      - name: Set up Google Drive sync
        uses: wei/rclone@v1
        with:
          args: sync drive:blog-posts content/posts
      - name: Commit changes
        run: |
          git config user.name github-actions
          git config user.email github-actions@github.com
          git add .
          git diff --quiet && git diff --staged --quiet || git commit -m "Auto-update from Google Drive"
          git push

Pros: Fully automated, minimal technical interaction needed after setup
Cons: Complex initial configuration, potential sync conflicts

6. Terminal-Based Solutions for Power Users

For those comfortable with command-line interfaces, terminal emulators offer the most flexible solution.

  • Termux (Android, free) - Linux terminal emulator and package manager
  • iSH (iOS, free) - Linux shell environment for iOS
  • Blink Shell (iOS, $19.99) - Professional-grade terminal with mosh support

Advanced Workflow:

  1. Set up your terminal environment with Git, Vim/Nano/Emacs, and your static site generator
  2. Clone your blog repository locally
  3. Create new posts using your preferred terminal editor
  4. Build and preview locally (if your static site generator supports it)
  5. Commit and push changes directly from the terminal

Terminal command example:

# Quick post creation script for Hugo blogs
#!/bin/bash
cd ~/blog
TITLE="$1"
SLUG=$(echo "$TITLE" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' | tr ' ' '-')
DATE=$(date +%Y-%m-%d)
hugo new content/posts/$DATE-$SLUG.md
vim content/posts/$DATE-$SLUG.md

Pros: Complete control, identical workflow to desktop publishing
Cons: Steeper learning curve, smaller keyboard challenges

Enhancing Your Mobile Blogging Experience

Regardless of which method you choose, these additional tips will improve your mobile blogging experience:

Hardware Accessories:

  • A foldable Bluetooth keyboard dramatically improves typing speed and comfort
  • A phone stand or holder keeps your device at a comfortable viewing angle
  • A stylus can help with precise text selection and editing

Content Creation Tips:

  • Use voice dictation for first drafts to overcome typing limitations
  • Create templates for common post types to reduce repetitive formatting
  • Keep a running list of blog ideas in a dedicated note for inspiration on the go
  • Use cloud-based image optimization services like Cloudinary or Imgix for handling images from your phone

Practical Considerations:

  • Set up two-factor authentication for all your services for secure mobile publishing
  • Consider creating a publishing checklist to ensure quality before posting
  • Use focused writing sessions with your phone in Do Not Disturb mode

Conclusion

Mobile blogging is no longer just a compromise—it can be an efficient, enjoyable part of your content creation workflow. With the right combination of tools and techniques, you can maintain a professional blog entirely from your mobile device.

The key is finding the workflow that aligns with your technical comfort level and blogging frequency. Start with simpler methods like GitHub Mobile, then gradually explore more advanced solutions as your needs evolve.

By embracing mobile blogging, you’ll not only post more consistently but also capture ideas when they’re freshest. The ability to write and publish from anywhere removes the biggest barrier to regular blogging—waiting until you’re back at your computer.

Do you blog from your mobile device? What tools and workflows have you found most effective? Share your experiences in the comments below!

This post was written and published entirely from an Android phone using the workflow described in section 2.