How To Install a Web App (PWA) on Windows, Mac or iPhone and Android

2/4/2020

What is a Progressive Web App (PWA)?

Progressive Web Apps [*] are Web Apps that behave more like native apps. You can “install” them to give them a dedicated window and shortcut on your PC. They can also load quickly, and show you notifications—just like normal apps.

They are the future of software because they work everywhere, they are safe and they install and update almost instantly.

How to Install your PWA Web App on Windows, Mac or Linux

Requirements
On desktops and laptops, as of early 2020, you need Google Chrome.

How to install on Mac, Windows or Linux?

Start Google Chrome and navigate to the web site you want to install.
It is best to wait to be logged in, if the web site requires login
(making sure the web app is fully active).
You will see a little (+) appear in the address bar, on the right, in Chrome.
Click on the (+) to install.
As an alternative, if you do not see the (+ install), click on the (...) button, with 3 vertical dots, right on Chrome’s address bar.
This pops up a menu, look for “Install ...”, and click on this install menu.

That is it. Nothing special about it. As mentioned, because there is no download or software to actually install, installation itself is almost instant. This is normal.

How to Install your Web App on Apple iPhone and Android Phones

Android smartphones
How to install?

Start Google Chrome and navigate to the website.
It is best to wait to be logged in if the website requires login (making sure the web app is fully active).
You will see a little (+) appear in the address bar, on the right, in Chrome.
Click on the (+) to install.
As an alternative, if you do not see the (+ install), click on the (...) button, with 3 vertical dots, right on Chrome’s address bar.
This pops up a menu, look for “Install ...”, and click on this install menu.
Then, click on “Add to Home Screen”

iOS (iPhone, and iPad)
How to install?

Start Safari and navigate to the web site login screen
It is best to wait to be logged in if the website requires login (making sure the web app is fully active).
When logged in, click the “Share” button
Then, click on “Add to Home Screen”

Examples and success stories using PWA Web Apps

Twitter Lite [*]
It became the default mobile web experience for all users globally in April 2017. Twitter developed Twitter Lite to deliver a more robust experience, with explicit goals for instant loading, user engagement and lower data consumption.
Starbucks [*]
Starbucks revealed that they are already seeing significant success by replacing their mobile app with a PWA. Starbucks reportedly say they doubled the number of people who used the website to place orders each day, with desktop users now ordering at about the same rate as mobile users.
Yes, by the way Kinalta is also a PWA.