OJapp Tips
Web Tips from a Tool Developer
Why Does a Different Page Open After “Add to Home Screen”? Understanding PWA start_url
Added a specific page to your iPhone Home Screen but a different page opens instead? Using an X profile as an example, this guide explains what users can do and how developers can design PWA start_url behavior.
Android Add to Home Screen or Install Missing? Causes and Fixes for Chrome
Can't find Add to Home Screen or Install in Chrome on Android? Learn the difference between shortcuts and installed web apps, plus how to check the manifest, HTTPS, icons, start_url, and other PWA settings.
Does window.print() Work in an iPhone iOS27 PWA? Testing Safari vs Standalone Mode
I tested window.print() on an iPhone running iOS 27. Printing worked in Safari, but the same page did nothing when launched as a standalone PWA. Here is what happened with beforeprint, afterprint, and matchMedia('print').
Can You Change a PWA Launch URL? What to Do When the Wrong Page Opens
Added a page to your home screen but the PWA opens a different page or the site homepage? Learn whether the launch URL can be changed, how start_url affects launches, what to try first, and when a normal browser bookmark is the better solution.
Can You Install Multiple PWAs from the Same Domain? Understanding id, scope, and start_url
Can one domain provide multiple PWAs? This guide explains id, start_url, and scope, then explores 1S1A, 1G1A, 1P1A, and UDA: a model where users can define the final home screen entry through URL state.
Removing the Top Blur in iOS 27 PWAs: An Experimental Workaround Found Through a Hamburger Menu
iOS 27 can show a large blurred area at the top of a home screen PWA. CSS and status bar meta settings did not remove it, but opening and closing a drawer menu unexpectedly did. Here is the real-device experiment and fixed-panel workaround I used to reproduce the behavior.
Is start_url:"/" Holding PWAs Back? Rethinking the Idea of Turning an Entire Site into an App
Using start_url:"/" is perfectly valid for a site-wide PWA, but it can conflict with what users expect when they add a specific page to their home screen. Here is why the choice of launch URL deserves more thought.
Can You Build a PWA with Only manifest.json? Testing How Far It Works Without a Service Worker
How much of a PWA can you build with a Web App Manifest and no Service Worker? Based on 2026 Chrome behavior and real-device testing, this article covers installation, icons, standalone display, start_url, and what still requires a Service Worker.
Does a PWA Require a Service Worker in 2026? Testing the Old Rule in Modern Chrome
Does a PWA still require a Service Worker in 2026? Modern Chrome can install PWAs without one. This article compares the old PWA rule with current MDN guidance and real-device testing, and explains when Service Workers are actually needed.
How Much Should You Put in manifest.json? Minimum, Recommended, and Optional PWA Fields
How much does a PWA manifest.json really need in 2026? This guide separates core Manifest fields from architecture-specific options such as id and scope, plus optional enhancements including screenshots, shortcuts, and theme colors.
Is PWA Useful for Membership Sites? Making Logged-In Pages a Home Screen Entry
Membership sites are built for repeat visits. A PWA can give users a direct home screen entry to dashboards, reservations, lessons, or account pages instead of making them start from the public homepage every time.
What Are PWA screenshots For? Improving the Chrome Install Experience
What does the screenshots member in a Web App Manifest actually do? Learn how screenshots can enrich supported PWA install experiences, how Android Chrome uses them, and how to configure form_factor, label, and platform metadata.
What Changes When You Turn a Blog into a PWA? Using the Home Screen for Return Visits
Turning a blog into a PWA is not just about making it look like an app. The bigger opportunity is giving readers a direct home screen entry to your blog or a favorite article, creating a simple path for future return visits without relying on search or social media.
What Does PWA scope Do? Comparing iPhone and Android Behavior
What does the scope field in a Web App Manifest actually control? Using real PWA LAB testing, this article compares root scope, directory scope, omitted scope, and the different practical effects observed on iPhone and Android.
What Is the PWA Manifest id? What Happens If You Omit It?
What does the id field in a Web App Manifest actually do? Learn how browsers identify PWAs, why start_url becomes the identifier when id is omitted, and how id affects multiple PWA installations and page-level app design.