Table of contents
Appifio Creator · Lesson X05 · Troubleshooting
“Preview unavailable”
(custom domain)
(custom domain)
The preview iframe is blocked when the link uses a custom domain - Creator isn’t “broken”; the live site can still run normally.
Learning goals: Read the overlay, use Switch domain now to edit temporarily, re-attach the domain after Save changes.
Reading time: ~8 minutes · Previous: K09 · Next: X06
UI labels (K09):
Preview unavailable Switch domain now Suggested solution Save changes
1. Fix flow
App link uses a custom domain (not appifio.com)
→ Preview iframe blocked by browser policy (cross-origin / frame-ancestors)
→ Overlay replaces iframe: Preview unavailable
→ Describes domain {host} + Suggested solution block
→ Click Switch domain now → confirm (switch to appifio.com)
→ Success → preview + Inspector work again
→ Finish edits → Save changes → re-attach domain in Link settings
Live site on custom domain still runs - only in-editor preview is blocked
2. Glossary
| Term | Meaning | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| Custom domain | Your own domain attached to an Appifio link | Link settings / overlay header |
| Switch domain now | Temporarily moves the link to the default domain so preview works | Button on the overlay |
| X-Frame-Options / CSP | Browser security headers that block iframe embedding | Not shown in UI - technical cause |
3. Steps (K09 labels)
- Open Creator - see header Preview unavailable and the domain {host} description.
- Read the Suggested solution block.
- Click Switch domain now → confirm the dialog (switch to appifio.com).
- Wait for the success message → preview iframe reloads.
- Switch to Changes, use Inspector/Canvas as usual.
- When ready → Save changes to publish.
- Re-attach the custom domain from Link settings (outside the overlay if needed).
4. Compare · Can / Cannot
Webflow/Framer embed: same cross-origin iframe issue. WordPress admin preview: usually same domain as admin - less common when a custom domain is separate.
Can: Temporarily use appifio.com to edit; visitors can still reach the old domain (if already published).
Cannot: Full Inspector/preview while the overlay is up; “turn off browser security” from Creator.
5. Security
Blocking iframes protects sites from clickjacking - intentional behavior, not a bug. Don’t ask AI to bypass security headers.
6. Symptom table
| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| Overlay instead of iframe | Switch domain now |
| Inspector clicks don’t work | Same cause - X05 before X03 |
| Preview “stale” after switch | Reload; select Changes |
| Token / URL error on switch | Refresh the page; contact support with the UI message |
| Forgot to re-attach domain after edit | Link settings → attach custom domain again |
7. Tips · Checklist
- Edit cycle: switch domain → edit → Save changes → re-attach domain.
- Test the live site by opening the custom-domain URL directly - no Creator iframe needed.
- Know overlay ≠ live site down?
- Can you find Switch domain now?
- Did you re-attach the domain after publish?
Next lesson
Internal navigation (same language)
Appifio Creator · User guide · X05
