Is the Jetpack Mobile App Finally a Serious Tool?

I got a call from a client last week. He runs a pretty high-traffic WooCommerce store and is constantly on the road. He was frustrated that to get any real insight into his last email campaign—or even just to publish a quick blog post—he had to pull over, crack open the laptop, and log into wp-admin. His exact words were, “Why are all the mobile apps just toys?”

For years, he wasn’t wrong. I’ve generally told clients to stick to the desktop for any serious work. But the new Jetpack app features are starting to change my mind. This isn’t just a fresh coat of paint; some of these updates make the app a genuinely useful tool instead of a glorified comment moderator.

Finally, Mobile Stats That Don’t Suck

Let’s be honest, most mobile analytics are garbage. They’re slow, stripped-down, and a pain to navigate. Jetpack’s new stats screen is actually impressive. It’s not just about a better design; they’ve added genuinely useful metrics like comparison periods, hourly data, and trend indicators. For my client, this is huge. He can now see if a flash sale is taking off in real-time, right from his phone. No more waiting until he’s back at the hotel.

They’ve also added engagement and newsletter metrics directly to posts. This is the kind of practical data that helps you decide what to write next. It’s a small thing, but it removes a layer of friction. And that’s what good development is all about.

AI That’s Actually Practical (and Private)

The “AI” label gets thrown around a lot, but the new on-device intelligence is the real deal. The app can now generate post excerpts, suggest tags, and summarize content right on your phone. Here’s the kicker: it uses Apple’s on-device models. Your content isn’t being shipped to a third-party API endpoint, which is a massive win for privacy. Trust me on this, keeping client data from bouncing around unnecessary external services is always the right call.

While you can’t hook into it directly, this is the kind of smart integration I like to see. It solves a real problem—the tedious parts of publishing—without compromising on security. The official announcement over at the WordPress.com blog has more on the specifics, but the privacy angle is what makes it compelling for professional use.

// This is conceptual, but imagine filtering the AI output
// before it's saved. This is the kind of control we need.

function prefix_filter_ai_excerpt( $excerpt, $post_id ) {
    // Maybe add a default CTA or legal disclaimer
    $custom_disclaimer = "\n\nDisclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary.";
    return $excerpt . $custom_disclaimer;
}
add_filter( 'jetpack_ai_generated_excerpt', 'prefix_filter_ai_excerpt', 10, 2 );

So, What’s the Point?

Is it time to ditch the desktop entirely? No. You’re not going to debug a complex plugin issue or redesign a homepage from your phone. But for the first time, the Jetpack mobile app feels less like a compromise and more like a proper tool for managing a site. The gap is closing.

• For store owners: You get real-time, actionable data without being chained to your desk.
• For content creators: The AI features genuinely speed up the publishing workflow.
• For developers: It’s a sign that the platform is taking mobile seriously, with a focus on privacy and practical application.

Look, this stuff gets complicated fast. If you’re tired of debugging someone else’s mess and just want your site and your tools to work, drop my team a line. We’ve probably seen it before.