HerdOS Cross-Platform Compatibility

Supported operating systems
- Android: Chrome, Edge, Samsung Internet, and modern Chromium-based browsers. Best for HerdOS Field on phones and tablets.
- Windows: Microsoft Edge, Chrome, and modern Chromium-based browsers. Best for the main management platform on laptops, desktops, and Windows tablets.
- Apple iOS/iPadOS: Safari and installed web app mode from Add to Home Screen. Best for HerdOS Field on iPhone and iPad.
- Apple macOS: Safari, Chrome, and Edge. Best for the main platform, owner work, reports, and administration.

How HerdOS is designed to run
- Web/PWA first: one responsive codebase runs across Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, and iPadOS.
- Offline first: once opened through a proper local or hosted server, the app shell and core files cache for offline use.
- Field friendly: large touch targets, safe-area support, dynamic viewport handling, station switching, and offline queues are kept operational on phones and tablets.
- Desktop friendly: keyboard, mouse, trackpad, large screens, printing, reports, finance, sales, and management views remain available on Windows and macOS.

Important deployment rule
- Do not rely on opening the HTML file directly from the file system for production. Use HTTPS hosting or a trusted local server so service workers, offline caching, auth, and sync work consistently.

Browser capability notes
- Bluetooth RFID reader support depends on the browser and operating system. Chrome/Edge on Android, Windows, and macOS generally provide the broadest Web Bluetooth path. iOS/iPadOS Safari can still use manual tag entry, CSV/API imports, supported middleware, or cloud-connected readers when direct browser Bluetooth is limited.
- USB reader support also depends on browser and OS. Keep manual entry, Bluetooth, CSV, API, and vendor middleware as supported fallback paths.
- Installed PWA behavior varies by OS, so HerdOS keeps all core actions usable in normal browser tabs as well as installed mode.

Native app path
- The included mobile/react-native-expo app is the native path for one iOS and Android codebase.
- The native mobile app now uses secure token storage, organization-scoped offline queues, device naming, and HerdOS API sync. Future production builds should add background sync, camera/barcode support where needed, push notifications, and signed store distribution.
- macOS or Windows desktop releases should be code-signed and distributed through a controlled owner-managed channel.

Compatibility check built into the app
- herdos-platform-compat.js records the operating system, browser family, touch support, installed PWA status, service worker support, storage support, and hardware API availability.
- This compatibility profile is stored locally as herdOSPlatformCapability and does not block farm work.
