Browser & device requirements
What participants need to take part. What you need to author and review.
Participants (taking an interview)
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Browser | Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox on a computer. On a phone, the phone's browser, unless the study needs Strella's mobile app (see Device). |
| Device | Desktop or laptop is supported everywhere. A phone (iOS or Android) can join when Allowed devices in Interview setup includes mobile. An AI-moderated study that records the screen runs on Strella's mobile apps. Every other study, a human-moderated one included, runs in the phone's browser. |
| Internet | A stable connection. The AI tolerates short hiccups but extended disconnection ends the call. |
| Microphone | Required. Built-in laptop mics work; external mics are better. |
| Webcam | Required only if Webcam recording is on for the study. |
| Screen share | Required only if Screen recording is on. Mobile screen share requires Strella's iOS or Android app. A human-moderated interview never asks the participant to share their screen. |
| Figma prototype access | The prototype must be published in Figma; participants don't need a Figma account to view it. |
Researchers (authoring + reviewing)
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Browser | Any modern desktop browser. |
| Device | Desktop or laptop recommended. Tablet works for review; authoring on phone is possible but cramped. |
| Internet | Stable broadband. Video playback at full quality needs reasonable bandwidth. |
| Figma integration | Required to use Figma prototype steps. See Connect Figma. |
What happens when participants deny permissions
Permission prompts are the most common reason a participant gets stuck before the interview starts. The call requires microphone access, plus camera access or screen share if your settings need them.
For screen share, you control which surface participants are prompted to share first. Settings → Interview setup → Default screen share option offers Window or Entire screen. Choose Window when a task only needs one app, or Entire screen when participants move across apps. See Recording settings.
| Denied permission | What the participant sees |
|---|---|
| Microphone | The call can't start. The participant must grant microphone access or leave the call. |
| Camera (when webcam is required) | Same as the microphone: the participant can't proceed without granting it. |
| Screen share (when required) | The participant is asked to retry. Repeated denial blocks the interview from starting. |
| Screen share dismissed (no choice) | Most browsers treat dismissal the same as denial. The retry prompt explains how to allow screen share. |
If participants drop out at this step, the most common fixes are:
- Browser-level permissions blocked sitewide: they need to clear the site permissions for the share-link domain and reload.
- Working from a restricted device: corporate laptops sometimes block screen share at the OS level; ask them to try a personal device.
- Mobile browser instead of the app: on an AI-moderated study that allows mobile and records the screen, direct them to install the Strella iOS or Android app. A human-moderated interview runs in the phone's browser and needs no app.
Related
Voice options
Voices come from four providers. Each has different strengths in quality, expressiveness, and language coverage.
MCP server
Connect Strella to Claude, ChatGPT, Figma Make, and other AI assistants via the Model Context Protocol. Explore projects, analyze transcripts, and manage studies through natural conversation.