Heino Rätscher

Installing a Web App (PWA) on Different Devices

  1. Short Reference
  2. What is a Progressive Web App?
  3. Installation on different devices
  4. When Does Installing a PWA Make Sense?
  5. Notes and Limitations

Short Reference

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) allow modern web applications to be installed directly on a device without using an app store.
Once installed, they can be launched like native apps and provide a more focused, app-like experience.

This page documents the installation steps for common platforms.

What is a Progressive Web App?

A Progressive Web App is a web application enhanced with modern browser features such as installability, standalone display mode, and optional offline support.

Depending on the platform and browser, PWAs can be added to the home screen, desktop, or taskbar.

On iOS, PWAs are installed via Safari.

Steps:

  1. Open the web app in Safari
  2. Tap the Share icon
  3. Select Add to Home Screen
  4. Confirm by tapping Add

The app will appear on the home screen and open in a standalone window.

Android provides native PWA support via modern browsers.

Steps:

  1. Open the web app in Chrome or Edge
  2. Open the browser menu
  3. Select Install app or Add to Home screen
  4. Confirm installation

The app appears in the app drawer and behaves similar to a native application.

On Windows, PWAs can be installed using Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Steps:

  1. Open the web app in the browser
  2. Use the Install app option in the address bar or browser menu
  3. Confirm installation

The app becomes available in the Start Menu and can be launched independently from the browser.

Add a Web App to the Windows Taskbar

After installation, the app can be pinned for faster access.

Steps:

  1. Open the installed web app
  2. Right-click its taskbar icon
  3. Select Pin to taskbar

Alternatively, right-click the app in the Start Menu and choose Pin to taskbar.

On macOS, PWA installation is supported in modern browsers such as Safari (macOS Sonoma or later) and Chrome-based browsers.

Safari (Sonoma+):

  1. Open the web app in Safari
  2. Choose File → Add to Dock

Chrome / Edge:

  • Open the web app
  • Use Install app from the address bar or menu

The app will appear in the Dock and launch in a standalone window.

When Does Installing a PWA Make Sense?

Installing a PWA is useful when:

  • the app is used frequently
  • quick access is preferred over bookmarks
  • a distraction-free, app-like experience is desired

For occasional use, bookmarking the page may be sufficient.

Notes and Limitations

PWA capabilities depend on:

  • browser support
  • operating system restrictions
  • the web app’s implementation

Not all PWAs provide offline access or background functionality.