What is Progressive Web App (PWA)?
A web application that uses modern web technologies to deliver an app-like experience, including offline functionality, push notifications, and the ability to install on a user's home screen.
In plain English
A PWA is like a Swiss Army knife website. It starts as a regular web page but can be 'installed' to feel like a native app — with its own icon, offline mode, and push notifications. Users get the convenience of a native app without the hassle of visiting an app store.
How it works
PWAs use three core technologies: a Web App Manifest (JSON file describing the app's name, icons, theme), Service Workers (JavaScript that runs in the background to cache resources and enable offline functionality), and HTTPS (required for security). When a user visits your PWA, the browser can prompt them to 'install' it, creating a home screen icon that opens the app in its own window.
Why it matters for AI-built apps
PWAs offer a path to mobile presence without building separate native apps. For AI-built startups, this means reaching mobile users with your existing web codebase. PWAs also improve performance through caching, work offline (great for unreliable connections), and can send push notifications to re-engage users — all without the App Store's review process.
Common issues
Service worker caching serving stale content, PWA not being installable (missing manifest fields, no service worker, not on HTTPS), limited access to native device features compared to native apps, iOS having more limited PWA support than Android, and complex service worker update flows confusing users with stale cached content.
Best practices
Add a web manifest with proper icons and theme colors. Register a service worker for basic caching (use Workbox for simplified cache strategies). Ensure your app works offline for at least core functionality. Use the 'stale-while-revalidate' caching strategy for the best balance of speed and freshness. Test on both Android and iOS. Use next-pwa or Serwist for Next.js PWA support.
Frequently asked questions
Should I build a PWA or a native mobile app?
For most startups, start with a PWA. It uses your existing web codebase, requires no app store approval, updates instantly, and works on both Android and iOS. Build a native app only if you need advanced device features (camera, Bluetooth, AR), heavy offline capabilities, or your audience expects an app store listing. Many successful products start as PWAs.
Do PWAs work well on iPhone/iOS?
iOS PWA support has improved but still lags behind Android. Limitations include no push notifications in older iOS versions (added in iOS 16.4+), limited background sync, smaller storage quotas, and no installation prompt. Despite these limitations, PWAs still provide value on iOS through caching, offline support, and home screen installation.
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