Overview
Currently, when you add a Bubble.io app to the home screen on iOS, it opens in Safari with the address bar visible, rather than behaving like a standalone app. However, some websites—like Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on Xbox.com allow users to add them to their home screen, and when opened, they behave just like native apps (without Safari’s UI).
This is because these websites implement Progressive Web App (PWA) standards, specifically a Web App Manifest and Service Workers. Unfortunately, Bubble.io does not currently support these features natively, making it difficult for app creators to provide a true mobile app experience without using third-party wrappers or external tools.
Why This Matters
With proper PWA support, Bubble apps could:
Open in full-screen mode without Safari’s browser bar.
Feel more like native apps when installed on mobile devices.
Support offline functionality via service workers.
Improve user experience and engagement.
Right now, Bubble lacks a way to:
• Upload a manifest.json file.
• Configure the “display”: “standalone” setting.
• Register service workers easily.
Real-World Example
Apple vs. Xbox on iOS Home Screen
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Go to apple.com and add it to your home screen → Opens in Safari with the browser bar.
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Go to Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on Xbox.com and add it to your home screen → Opens as a standalone app (without Safari’s UI).
This is because Xbox has properly implemented PWA standards, whereas Apple.com has not.
Bubble apps currently behave like Apple.com. We need Bubble to support the same features that allow sites like Xbox.com to work as full PWAs.
Proposed Solution
Bubble should add native support for:
Web App Manifest (manifest.json) – Allow users to define settings like app name, icons, start URL, and display mode.
Service Workers – Enable offline mode, caching, and app-like experiences.
Simple Toggle – A setting in Bubble’s UI (e.g., “Enable PWA”) to configure these features automatically.
Final Thoughts
Adding full PWA support would allow Bubble users to create web apps that feel and function like real mobile apps—without needing wrappers or workarounds. This would be a game-changer for those who want a native experience without publishing to the App Store or Play Store.
Would love to hear feedback from the Bubble team and community! Is this something that could be implemented?