What is .mobi?
The .mobi domain was launched in 2005 — before the iPhone existed — as a dedicated TLD for mobile-optimized websites. It was backed by major mobile industry players including Nokia, Samsung, Microsoft, and Vodafone in the world of domains.
A Brief History
In 2005, the mobile web was a separate experience from desktop browsing. Phones had small screens, slow connections, and limited browsers. .mobi was created to signal that a website was designed for mobile devices. The backing of major mobile companies gave it significant initial momentum.
However, the advent of responsive web design and the smartphone revolution reduced the need for separate mobile sites, diminishing .mobi's original value proposition.
Why Choose .mobi?
- Mobile-first signal — Still useful for apps, mobile services, and mobile-focused businesses.
- Short and recognizable — Universally associated with mobile technology.
- Affordable — Registration costs have decreased, making it a budget option.
Did You Know?
- As of 2026, approximately 500,000 .mobi domains remain registered.
- .mobi originally had strict mobile-optimization requirements that have since been relaxed.
- Google, Microsoft, Samsung, Nokia, and Vodafone were all founding sponsors.
Registration & Pricing
.mobi domains are available at competitive rates through DomainWorld. DomainWorld offers fast registration and DNS setup of .mobi — you can get a domain up and running in minutes.
The Future of .mobi
While responsive design has reduced the need for mobile-specific domains, .mobi retains value for mobile apps and services in the world of domains.