According to Windows Report | Error-free Tech Life, Google is testing a new Web Install API that could fundamentally change how users install web applications across different browsers. The feature is being developed with help from Microsoft Edge engineers as part of their ongoing Chromium collaboration, allowing websites to install Progressive Web Apps directly from web pages rather than relying on browser prompts or app stores. The API currently works in desktop versions of Chrome and Edge version 139 or higher, with plans to expand to Android later. Users can try the feature now by enabling the “Web App Installation API” flag in their browser settings, though Firefox and Safari haven’t implemented support yet despite ongoing web standards discussions.
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What This Actually Changes
Here’s the thing – this isn’t just another technical feature. It’s potentially huge for how we discover and use web apps. Right now, installing a PWA requires you to find that tiny install icon in your browser’s address bar, and many users don’t even know it exists. With this API, any website could have a big, obvious “Install App” button that works across browsers. Basically, it makes web apps feel more like real applications rather than just fancy bookmarks.
And the security aspect is interesting too – the browser still asks for confirmation before anything installs, and websites can’t just push unsafe content. But it does raise questions about how we’ll manage all these installed web apps. Will we end up with app clutter? Who decides what counts as a “trusted” app directory?
The Bigger Picture
Look, this is really about reducing dependence on app stores. Google and Microsoft are essentially creating an alternative distribution system that bypasses both the Play Store and Apple’s App Store. That’s significant because it gives developers more control and potentially saves them the 15-30% cut that app stores take.
But here’s the million-dollar question: will Apple and Mozilla play along? Safari and Firefox haven’t implemented this yet, and Apple in particular has every reason to resist anything that threatens its App Store revenue. Without cross-browser support, this becomes just another Chrome feature rather than a true web standard.
The collaboration between Google and Microsoft is fascinating though. These former rivals are now working together on Chromium-based features that could reshape the web app landscape. Microsoft’s demo page showing how the API works is actually pretty slick – you can check it out here to see the potential.
What It Means for Developers
For developers, this could be a game-changer. Instead of begging users to find that obscure install button, they can place installation prompts exactly where they make sense in the user journey. The GitHub repository shows the technical details, and it’s designed to work even for app directories – meaning you could have a web app store that isn’t controlled by Google or Apple.
And think about discovery – right now, finding good PWAs is kind of a pain. With this API, we could see curated app directories emerge that work across browsers. The demo implementation gives you a sense of how straightforward the installation process could become.
So is this the beginning of the end for native app stores? Probably not anytime soon. But it’s definitely another step toward making web apps first-class citizens on our devices. The discussion in the Chromium developer group shows this is being taken seriously as a web standard, not just a Chrome experiment.
