Tired of always opening your favourite websites in Safari? Want them to feel like standalone apps with their own icons and no browser chrome? Here’s how to add a web app to your iPhone or iPad home screen and why iOS 26 takes it to the next level.
What even is a “web app”?
A web app also known as a Progressive Web App (PWA) is a website that acts like a real app. It gets its own home screen icon, launches full-screen, and can even run offline if properly configured.
Many popular websites like Twitter, Spotify, and Notion already offer full-featured PWAs. But even if a site isn’t a full PWA, you can still add it as a shortcut to your home screen.
Classic method (iOS 15, iOS 16, iOS 17, iOS 18)
- Open the website in Safari.
- Tap the Share button (the square with an arrow).
- Select “Add to Home Screen”.
- Edit the name and tap Add.
- That shortcut appears on your Home Screen and launching it may open full-screen if the site is a proper PWA.
What’s new in iOS 26
Starting with iOS 26, Apple has made a big change:
- Every site added to the Home Screen now opens as a web app by default, even ones not built as PWAs.
- You’ll see an “Open as Web App” toggle in the Share → Add to Home Screen dialog, which is enabled by default.
- Want it as a regular Safari bookmark? Simply toggle it off during setup.
This new toggle gives users the freedom to choose whether a shortcut behaves like a separate app or a normal bookmark.
Why it matters
- Clean, focused experience - no toolbar, URL bar, or tab bar when in app mode
- Better multitasking - web app gets its own window and app-switcher card
- Works with non-PWA sites - even basic informational sites feel like mini-apps
- Still optional - you decide if it should open in Safari or like an app
Step-by-step: add any site as an app
- Update to iOS 26 (public beta in July; full release due in September)
- In Safari, load the web page you want.
- Tap Share → Add to Home Screen.
- Customise the name/icon if needed.
- Ensure “Open as Web App” is turned on (green).
- Tap Add.
- Go to your Home Screen, tap the new icon, and it’ll launch as its own app.
It’s super easy to turn your favourite websites into apps, no coding required. Whether it’s for productivity, social, or just quick access to tools, adding web apps to your home screen is one of the most underrated features on your phone.