Bring back PWA (progressive web apps)

[brochard]

Progressive Web apps are an important feature of a browser that Firefox is the only one missing.
For some, it can be the reason to switch to another browser.
In other cases like for the Steamdeck, it's what imposed the choice to only include Chrome in the SteamOS interface.
Other problem even for avid Firefox users, since I wanted Social apps on my pc I had to get them on the Microsoft Store which is an Edge PWA that opens every link in an Edge window, making me use this... other browser.

[intbonus]

This please! It's very useful, I switched back to Brave because this is missing.

[Octopussy]

+1  Come on, guys!  You're making me use Edge instead because... F Google.

[pulse]

Dropping support for progressive web apps is probably the worst mistake Firefox has made on the desktop side in the last few years. While I would love to use Firefox for everything, I'm forced to use Chromium for PWAs on the desktop because Firefox doesn't support them. As soon as Firefox reintroduces support for PWAs, I'll be able to use Firefox for all of my desktop web needs again.

[Deeds]

Please support app mode, this is widely used both in enterprise scenarios but power user too

[Dasein]

Still nothing?

[Visions]

Just want to add my 2cents - WHOEVER DECIDED that PWA was a bad idea were TERRIBLY wrong, I use them all the time on brave, and it is one of the features that keeps me away from Firefox. Please add! Don't fall behind other browsers with such important functionality.

[Revacholier]

Currently reading this topic in Microsoft Edge. I'd much rather be reading it in Firefox - but I have 3 PWAs open right now, so using Firefox is impossible for me.

Add PWAs to Firefox. There's no choice to be made here - they are a necessary part of the modern web, and a hard requirement for any modern web browser. Frankly, this isn't even a feature request - it's a bug report. It should be considered a major bug that Firefox doesn't support PWA. It's like not supporting, I don't know, CSS. Madness that in 2024 Firefox still doesn't support PWAs on desktop.

[ismet]

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are like the Swiss Army knives of the digital world—packed with versatility and practicality. Let’s break down why they matter and how Firefox’s absence in this arena impacts users:

1. What Are PWAs?

   • PWAs blend the best of native apps and web apps. They’re developed using lightweight web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) but offer native app-like functionalities.
   • Unlike native apps, PWAs don’t require app store installations. Users can access them directly from their browsers.
   • PWAs can do it all: offline functionality, push notifications, geolocation access, and more1.

2. Why Do PWAs Matter?

   • User Convenience: Imagine having an app without the hassle of downloading it. That’s what PWAs offer. Users can access feature-rich apps instantly.
   • Cost-Effective: Developing native apps can be expensive and time-consuming. PWAs provide a budget-friendly alternative.
   • Speed and Performance: PWAs load faster and work seamlessly across devices. No more waiting for lengthy app installations.
   • Offline Access: PWAs function even when the device is offline, making them ideal for users on the go1.

3. Firefox’s Missing PWA Support:

   • User Switching: Some users consider PWAs a dealbreaker. If a browser lacks PWA support, they might switch to one that offers it.
   • Steamdeck’s Choice: The Steamdeck, a gaming device, opted for Chrome in its SteamOS interface because of Chrome’s robust PWA support. PWAs enhance the gaming experience by seamlessly integrating web-based applications.
   • Social App Dilemma: Even loyal Firefox users face challenges. For instance, wanting social apps on a PC led to using Edge PWAs from the Microsoft Store. But here’s the twist: these Edge PWAs open every link in an Edge window, nudging users toward anothe...1.

In summary, Firefox’s absence in the PWA game impacts user experience, potential switches, and even platform choices like the Steamdeck’s. It’s time for Firefox to catch up and embrace the PWA revolution!

[LuisIII]

I will love this feature. I use a similar one with Edge for YouTube that I use every day!

[2001zhaozhao]

Well, now Firefox finally has a companion as Apple has nuked PWAs for iOS in Europe as well. What depressing times we live in

[jamesharr]

While this feature would be useful for me (and I'm getting by with the PWAsForFirefox extension), I feel like the bigger opportunity is that browsers could move the web forward and take back some of the walled gardens that the big tech companies have built.

With the advent of the iPhone in 2007, all it had was a web browser and a small selection of native apps. Apple's answer was a bookmark, more or less the seedlings of PWAs. Sure enough, when the App Store was introduced, platform-specific apps took over. I think we lost something when we traded the open web for curated gardens.

These are my 2 cents and there might be some subtle but very big things that I'm missing, so take this all with a grain of salt

[JesseJ]

If you build some AI into your browser before you support PWAs I swear I'll leave you...

[DavidSynner]

PWAs are very useful. Please add them!

[ZenoArrow]

What I'd like to know is, if someone did the work to merge PWA into Firefox, and the code met the standards of the maintainers, would the pull request be merged. In other words, is the blocker on this due to not having enough developer time, or because the maintainers fundamentally oppose adding it in.

[SamBull]

> What I'd like to know is, if someone did the work to merge PWA into Firefox, and the code met the standards of the maintainers, would the pull request be merged. In other words, is the blocker on this due to not having enough developer time, or because the maintainers fundamentally oppose adding it in.

The PWA feature that was previously removed was due to complexity of the feature in the old codebase. So, yes, if someone can add the missing features in a maintainable manner it should get merged.