What is a Progressive Web App?
PWAs are websites that can be installed like native apps. Once installed, they work offline, appear in your app drawer/dock, and launch without browser chrome.
How to Install a PWA
Installation varies by browser:
| Browser | Desktop | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Click install icon in address bar | Menu > Add to Home Screen |
| Edge | Settings > Apps > Install | Menu > Add to Phone |
| Safari | N/A | Share > Add to Home Screen |
| Firefox | Limited support | Limited support |
What Works Offline
After installation, these features work without internet:
- •Merge PDFs
- •Split PDFs
- •Compress PDFs
- •Rotate pages
- •Convert images to PDF
- •Add watermarks
What Still Needs Internet
Some features require online resources:
- •OCR (if using cloud-based models)
- •First-time font downloads
- •Checking for updates
Benefits of PWA vs Native App
PWAs offer advantages:
- •No app store approval or download
- •Automatic updates
- •Works across all platforms
- •Much smaller storage footprint
- •Same code runs everywhere
Storage and Performance
PWAs use browser storage. Expect 50-100MB for the app and cached resources. Performance matches native apps for most PDF operations.
Related Tools
FAQ
Is an installed PWA different from the website?
Functionally the same. Installation enables offline use and app-like experience (own window, dock icon).
How do I uninstall?
Right-click the app icon > Uninstall, or through browser settings > Apps.
Does it work on airplane mode?
Yes, if you've visited the site before (so resources are cached).