What PWAs
can do.
Modern browsers have quietly closed the gap with native apps. Progressive Web Apps now support 50+ device APIs — from push notifications and offline access to cameras, biometrics, Bluetooth, and payments. pageflare handles the platform layer so you can focus on using these capabilities.
Platform features,
no app store required.
Install to Home Screen
Users can add your site to their home screen or desktop. Launches in standalone mode — no browser chrome, no URL bar. Looks and feels like a native app from the moment it opens.
Push Notifications
Send notifications directly to users' devices, even when the browser is closed. Supported in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari 16.4+. Rich notifications with images and action buttons.
Offline Access
Service workers intercept network requests and serve cached responses. Your app keeps working without connectivity — serve cached pages, show offline UI, queue actions for later sync.
Background Sync
Queue actions taken offline and replay them automatically when connectivity returns. Form submissions, data edits, and API calls can all be deferred and retried without user intervention.
Camera & Microphone
Access the device camera and microphone via the MediaDevices API. Scan QR codes, capture photos, record audio — all from the browser with the same permission model as native apps.
Geolocation
High-accuracy GPS coordinates, continuous position tracking, and geofencing. Works on mobile and desktop. The Geolocation API is one of the most mature and widely-supported browser capabilities.
Biometric Authentication
WebAuthn lets users authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint, or Windows Hello. Passwordless login with hardware-backed credentials — no third-party identity SDK required.
File System Access
Read and write files directly on the device with the File System Access API. Open local files, save changes back, and build tools that feel truly native — like code editors and image processors.
Bluetooth & NFC
Web Bluetooth and Web NFC let your app communicate with nearby devices. Read NFC tags, connect to Bluetooth peripherals, and build hardware-integrated experiences entirely in the browser.
Payment Requests
The Payment Request API gives users a native payment sheet with saved cards and Apple Pay or Google Pay support. Faster checkout flows with browser-stored payment credentials.
Screen Wake Lock
Prevent the screen from dimming or locking during active use. Essential for apps that users watch or follow along with — navigation, recipes, presentations, and workout guides.
Web Share
Trigger the native share sheet with the Web Share API. Users can share content to any app on their device — messaging, social, email — using the same UI they know from native apps.
Which browsers
support what.
Chrome & Chromium
The most complete PWA support of any browser family. Install prompts, push notifications, Background Sync, Web Bluetooth, File System Access, Screen Wake Lock, and more. Sets the bar for what PWAs can do.
Safari (iOS & macOS)
Push notifications since Safari 16.4 on iOS 16.4+. Standalone mode, service workers, and Web Share. No beforeinstallprompt — iOS users need guided install flows. Improving steadily with each release.
Edge (Windows)
Full PWA support with additional Windows integration. PWAs installed via Edge get taskbar pinning, Start menu entries, and access to Windows-specific APIs like Contacts and File Handling.
Firefox
Service workers, offline support, and push notifications on desktop. Limited install prompt support on Android. A solid baseline for core PWA features, especially offline caching.
Samsung Internet
Strong PWA support on Android. Install prompts, push notifications, and service workers work reliably. Popular on Samsung devices — a meaningful slice of the Android install base.
WebView (Android TWA)
Trusted Web Activities let PWAs wrap in a native Android app shell with zero extra code. pageflare's output is compatible with TWA packaging for app store distribution alongside direct web install.
Put these capabilities to work. Start free.
Install the CLI, point it at your build output, and see results in under two seconds.