How to install a Progressive Web App (PWA)

A 60-second guide to installing any PWA on Chrome, Edge, Safari (iOS/macOS), or Firefox — straight from your browser, no app store needed.

What is a PWA?

A Progressive Web App is a regular website that meets three technical criteria: it is served over HTTPS, it ships a web manifest (icon, name, theme color), and it registers a service workerthat caches assets for offline use. Browsers that detect these signals offer an "Install" option, which adds the app to your home screen, dock, or app launcher. The longer answer, with what browsers actually check.

Installed PWAs run in a standalone window (no browser address bar), can work offline, and consume far less disk space than native apps — typically a few hundred kilobytes instead of hundreds of megabytes.

Install on Chrome / Edge

Open the PWA's URL in Chrome or Edge (desktop or Android).
Look for the install icon(⊕) on the right side of the address bar. If you don't see it, open the three-dot menu and choose Install [app] or Apps → Install this site as an app.
Confirm the install prompt. The PWA opens in a standalone window and an icon appears in your applications.

Install on Safari (iOS / macOS)

Open the PWA's URL in Safari (Chrome on iOS uses the same engine).
Tap the Share button (square with an upward arrow).
Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen. Edit the name if you want, then tap Add.
On macOS Safari 17+, the equivalent is File → Add to Dock.

Install on Firefox

Open the PWA's URL in Firefox on Android.
Tap the three-dot menu, then Install.
Confirm — the icon appears on your home screen and launches in standalone mode.
Firefox desktop currently does not offer native PWA installation. Use Chrome, Edge, or Brave for the desktop experience.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the Google Play Store or App Store to install a PWA?

No. Progressive Web Apps install directly from the browser. You just open the app's URL, then trigger 'Install' or 'Add to Home Screen'. No app store account, no review process, no download size — the app runs from your browser's cache.

Will a PWA work offline?

Yes, if the PWA implements a service worker (most do). Once you've opened the app at least once, its core assets are cached locally and the app launches even without an internet connection. Some features that require live data (e.g. sync) will resume when you reconnect.

Can I install a PWA on iPhone or iPad?

Yes. Open the PWA in Safari (Chrome on iOS also uses Safari's engine), tap the Share button, then 'Add to Home Screen'. The PWA appears as a standalone icon and launches without the Safari UI.

How do I uninstall a PWA?

On Chrome/Edge: open the PWA, click the three-dot menu, choose 'Uninstall'. On iOS: long-press the home screen icon and tap 'Remove App'. On Android: long-press the icon and drag to 'Uninstall'.

Are PWAs safe?

PWAs run inside the browser sandbox, so they have the same security guarantees as any HTTPS website. They cannot access your filesystem, contacts, or system APIs unless you explicitly grant permission. PWAs are required to be served over HTTPS.