A web app is an app built for the web that you can access on any device. You can use web apps to have a website work as an app and access it on your computer or mobile devices through the Launcher or home screen. Some web apps include extra features, like more storage to browse content offline, notifications, file system access and icon badges.
Tip: Although web apps work offline, some may not work completely without an Internet connection.
You can use web apps directly in Google Chrome on your computer, allowing you to access services like email, documents, and messaging without installing traditional software.
To use a web app, simply open Chrome and go to the website of the service you want, such as Gmail, Google Docs, or Google Drive. These platforms function like full applications within your browser.
For a more app-like experience, you can install certain web apps. Open the site in Chrome, then click the three-dot menu and select Cast, save, and share or Install page as app (wording may vary). Follow the prompt to install it.
Install a web app
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- Go to a website that you want to install.
- At the top right, select More
Cast, save and share
- On some websites, at the top right of the address bar, select Install
.
- On some websites, at the top right of the address bar, select Install
- To install the web app, follow the on-screen instructions.
Tip: Some apps offer shortcuts to features. To find a list of app shortcuts, right-click the web app on the taskbar. Learn more about shortcuts for websites in Chrome.
Uninstall a web app
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- Open the web app that you want to uninstall.
- At the top right, select More
- To delete app data from Chrome, select 'Also delete data from Chrome'.
Tip: You can also manage web apps through chrome://apps.
- In your Launcher, right-click the web app's icon.
- Select Uninstall.
- To delete data, choose Also delete browsing data.
- If you delete browsing data, all website-related data is also removed in Chrome. The next time that you visit the website, you'll need to sign in again.
- Select Uninstall.
Manage app name and icon updates
Important: If you suspect a malicious change, like the app name has updated or the icon has changed to resemble a different app, uninstall the app.
When a web app wants to update its name or icon on your screen, Google Chrome notifies you about the updates.
You can choose to accept the update, ignore it or uninstall the app.
- At the top right of the web app window, select App update available
.
- Select Review app update.
- To accept the change: Select Update.
- This closes the dialogue and initiates the update.
- To uninstall the app: Select Uninstall.
- To uninstall, follow the on-screen instructions.
- To ignore the update: Select Ignore.
- If you ignore an update, it won't show on the window. You can still update the app when you go to More
- If you ignore an update, it won't show on the window. You can still update the app when you go to More
- To accept the change: Select Update.
Manage your apps in Chrome
If you're on Windows, Mac or Linux, you can create shortcuts to open apps faster. You can put these shortcuts on your desktop or menus.
- In a new tab, open
chrome://apps. - Right click the app for which you want to create a shortcut.
- Select Create shortcut.
- Choose where you want to see shortcuts on your computer.
- Click Create.
You can set up your apps to automatically launch when you sign in to Windows, Mac or Linux.
- Navigate to
chrome://apps. - To open the menu, right-click an app, like Google Maps.
- Select Launch at startup.
Tip: To turn off this feature, right-click the app and deselect Launch at startup.
Manage web app settings
- Click on the app in your dock or desktop.
- At the top right of the app window, select More
- Select App info
- Select the setting that you want to update.
Related resources
Once installed, the web app will open in its own window without the usual browser tabs and address bar. It may also appear in your desktop apps list or Start menu, making it easy to launch like a regular program.
You can manage installed web apps by going to Chrome’s apps or settings section, where you can remove or customize them.
Additionally, many web apps support offline features. For example, some services allow you to continue working without an internet connection and sync changes later.
In summary, Chrome lets you use and install web apps directly from websites, giving you a flexible and lightweight way to access tools without downloading full software programs.
