Chrome 76 to Include New PWA Install Experience

The next major version of Google Chrome will display an install button when a Progressive Web App (PWA) is available. The firm expects this change to drive further adoption of this web-based app platform.

“In Chrome 76, we’re making it easier for users to install Progressive Web Apps on the desktop by adding an install button to the address bar (omnibox),” Google’s Pete LePage explains. “If a site meets the Progressive Web App installability criteria, Chrome will automatically show an install icon in the address bar. Clicking the button prompts the user to install the PWA.”

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Today, Chrome indicates the availability of a PWA subtly or not at all, depending on the site, so this is a welcome change.

The first beta of Chrome 76 is due in mid-June 2019, so any day now. And then the new browser version will ship to everyone at the end of July. I also expect the Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge to pick up this functionality as well.

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Conversation 10 comments

  • Pbike908

    13 June, 2019 - 9:34 am

    <p>I keep awaiting the "day of the PWA"….At this point, to me, it seems like the "day of the PWA" will occur at about the same time as the "day of Linux desktop"…</p><p><br></p><p>Nonetheless, I am more intrigued about the "day of the PDA" than I am about the future of Linux desktop.</p>

    • Stooks

      13 June, 2019 - 10:46 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#435093">In reply to Pbike908:</a></em></blockquote><p>It is the same day Windows 10 on ARM "Always Connected" becomes the norm…..as was predicted here.</p>

  • bart

    Premium Member
    13 June, 2019 - 9:54 am

    <p>This is a welcome change and should help drive the discoverability of PWA's</p>

  • Stooks

    13 June, 2019 - 10:45 am

    <p>Just another thing to click on to get out of your way on a websites. Fantastic!</p>

    • jgraebner

      Premium Member
      16 June, 2019 - 2:08 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#435104">In reply to Stooks:</a></em></blockquote><p>Did you even read the article? This is a button that will light up in the address bar, not an automatic pop up. The photo is the prompt that comes up after you press the button.</p>

  • skane2600

    13 June, 2019 - 10:54 am

    <p>So PWA installation as save bookmark to desktop. OK, not exactly.</p>

  • eli berg

    13 June, 2019 - 2:27 pm

    <p><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"I also expect the Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge to pick up this functionality as well."</em></p><p>It actually has it already for a few weeks</p>

  • saint4eva

    15 June, 2019 - 10:09 am

    <p>Dear writer,</p><p><br></p><p>The Microsoft chromium-based Edge already has it.</p><p><br></p><p><img src=""></p>

    • jgraebner

      Premium Member
      16 June, 2019 - 2:13 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#435465">In reply to saint4eva:</a></em></blockquote><p>It does? Is there a flag that you have to enable? I just tried going out to Hulu on the new Edge and it didn't show an install icon in the address bar.</p>

  • christian.hvid

    15 June, 2019 - 12:28 pm

    <p>This is nice, but what would be even nicer is a discreet button in the omnibox that lights up to show that you can subscribe to notifications from this site, instead of having this option thrown in your face as soon as you enter the home page. Oh, and while you're at it, perhaps another button that lights up to remind you there's cookie/GDPR/other legal information available? Prompts are evil, and if they can be replaced by passive buttons, then so much the better. </p>

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