Progressive Web Apps
Instance apps are automatically installable on mobile devices as progressive web apps (PWAs). Once installed, they appear on the home screen and work like native apps without extra configuration. PWA technology is built in and enabled by default.
Publishing on mobile
On mobile, you can share your app by tapping on ⋮ and then selecting Share app to share it.
After clicking Share app, select which version to share. We recommend publishing first. Preview apps are for testing only and available while building, while published apps are stable and continuously accessible. Learn more about publishing.
Next, you need to select Share as app to share the app as a PWA. (You can still share the app as a website if you prefer.)
Finally, click on Share install link to share the link to install the app on a smartphone with your users.
Installing PWAs
When you send a PWA to a user, they will see a banner that prompts them to install the app.
Tapping Install will allow your users to install the app on their devices.
On Android, tapping Install immediately adds the app to your device. iOS users, however, must follow a 3-step process due to Apple's stricter requirements.
Instance provides a guide that walks your users through installing the app on iOS devices. This guide includes:
- Tap the Share button
- Select Add to Home Screen
- Tap Add
Once the app is installed, users will see an icon on their home screens.
App name and icon
You can customize your app's name and icon on the home screen by changing its metadata. Learn more about your app's metadata.
PWAs vs. App Store/Play Store Apps
While PWAs cannot be published on the App Store or Play Store, this limitation has advantages and disadvantages.
| PWAs | Native apps | |
|---|---|---|
| Publication | Instant, no approval | Days for review, possible rejection |
| Updates | Immediately available | Require approval process |
| Monetization | No platform fees | 15-30% fees to Apple/Google |
| Distribution | Manual link sharing | App store discovery |
| Installation | Multiple steps | Simpler process |
Older versions
For apps created before September 2025, you'll need to prompt Instance to add the required capabilities using a prompt similar to the following:
Update the web manifest file to ensure proper PWA functionality
Platform differences
PWAs work only on mobile. If you want to share your app with someone who wants to open it on a computer, you can send its URL. Users can open the app directly in their browser without needing to install anything.