Ditch the heaviest applications in favor of much more software light thanks to the progressive web app.
Progressive web apps (PWAs) are on the rise. Based entirely on web technologies, these applications are installed directly from your smartphone browser, from the mobile websites you visit, and work in the same way as the dedicated applications you download from the stores.
Some of these progressive web apps also do not need an Internet connection to operate. Lighter than traditional applications, PWAs are similar to applications available in versions Lite that some services offer. Moreover, there is nothing to distinguish a Progressive Web App from an application. Lite. When you open them, the address bar and web browser buttons are gone and the PWA runs in a dedicated window.
1. Find a PWA
Not all sites with a mobile web version necessarily offer a Progressive Web App. Facebook, Twitter, or even Instagram offer a PWA. You will find others (social networks, tools, and even games) by consulting a dedicated site such as Outweb or pwa.rocks.
Access Outweb.io (Free)
Access Pwa.rocks (Free)
Launch your mobile web browser and go to the site whose PWA you want to install. Often, sites offering a progressive web app will invite you to add the site to the home screen of your device. As the ability to install PWAs is pushed to the server side, in some cases it may not be available. On Android for example, the icon of the site added to the home screen will also display a badge of the browser with which it was added.
2. Add to home screen
On iOS, tap the share button displayed at the bottom of Safari. Scroll through the options and tap On the home screen. In the window that appears, customize the name of the app and confirm by pressing Add.
On Android, open your web browser options, Google Chrome for example, and tap Add to Home screen. Customize the name of the application, and confirm by pressing Add, then Add Automatically.
3. Run your PWA
If all went well, a new icon appeared on your smartphone’s home page, like after downloading an app from a store. Touch the icon to run the application.
The address bar and browser buttons are gone, and there’s nothing to distinguish your Progressive Web App from a Lite version of the same app.