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 on Google Chrome on your iPhone or iPad by accessing websites that function like applications, although the experience differs slightly from Android or desktop.
To use a web app, open Chrome and visit the website of the service you want, such as Gmail, Google Docs, or Google Drive. These platforms work like apps within the browser, allowing you to send emails, edit documents, or manage files.
However, Chrome on iOS does not support installing web apps in the same way as Android or desktop Chrome. You cannot create fully standalone app experiences directly from Chrome.
As a workaround, you can use the iOS system feature to add a website to your Home Screen. Open the site in Chrome, tap the share icon, and select Add to Home Screen. This creates a shortcut icon that opens the site quickly.
Add to home screen
You can add a shortcut for your home screen to websites that you like. The web app feature may work differently based on the website.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Chrome
.
- Go to a website that you want to add.
- On the right of the address bar, tap Share
.
- Find and tap Add to home screen.
- Confirm or edit the website details and tap Add.
Tips:
- If the web app is available, the shortcut opens the app.
- If the web app isn't available, the shortcut opens in your default browser.
Delete from home screen
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to the home screen.
- Locate the shortcut you want to delete.
- Touch and hold the shortcut.
- Tap Delete Bookmark.
Tip: Once you delete a shortcut, you won't have access to the same extra functionality and the website may behave differently. You can return to the website to add it again if you want to restore the previous behaviour.
Related resources
Keep in mind that on iOS, these shortcuts typically open in the default browser environment and may not behave exactly like standalone apps.
Some web apps also support limited offline functionality, depending on how they are built, but this is not guaranteed.
In summary, Chrome on iPhone and iPad allows you to use web apps through websites and create home screen shortcuts, but it does not provide full installation or standalone app support like other platforms.
