PHP Mobile Device Detection (iOS, Android, BlackBerry, PlayBook, WebOS)

Mobile devices and Tablets are quickly replacing desktop computers as the premier internet devices. With the various limitations and unique capabilities of many mobile devices the practice of browser and platform detection is increasing in popularity. In certain circumstances it may be necessary — especially when trying to provide a native-like experience. For a lightweight server-side php based solution look no further than the HTTP_USER_AGENT and the function stripos. The simple example below demonstrates how to detect many popular devices including the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Android Tablet, WebOS, BlackBerry, & RIM PlayBook. This example can be easily modified or expanded for individual applications.

//Detect special conditions devices
$iPod = stripos($_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'],"iPod");
$iPhone = stripos($_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'],"iPhone");
$iPad = stripos($_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'],"iPad");
if(stripos($_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'],"Android") && stripos($_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'],"mobile")){
        $Android = true;
}else if(stripos($_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'],"Android")){
        $Android = false;
        $AndroidTablet = true;
}else{
        $Android = false;
        $AndroidTablet = false;
}
$webOS = stripos($_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'],"webOS");
$BlackBerry = stripos($_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'],"BlackBerry");
$RimTablet= stripos($_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'],"RIM Tablet");
//do something with this information
if( $iPod || $iPhone ){
        //were an iPhone/iPod touch -- do something here
}else if($iPad){
        //were an iPad -- do something here
}else if($Android){
        //were an Android Phone -- do something here
}else if($AndroidTablet){
        //were an Android Phone -- do something here
}else if($webOS){
        //were a webOS device -- do something here
}else if($BlackBerry){
        //were a BlackBerry phone -- do something here
}else if($RimTablet){
        //were a RIM/BlackBerry Tablet -- do something here
}

If you would like information on how to detect a device other than those supported above, feel free to contact me.

Update (9-14-2011): Added BlackBerry & Playbook detection.
Update (9-6-2011): Split Android detection to differentiate between Tablets & Phones.