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.

[PositivPorpoise]

PWAs, including the File System Access API have the potential to significantly improve user security, privacy, and control over their apps. The File System Access API allows users to control which files and directories are available to which apps and allows more sophisticated apps to be written in JavaScript. Apps written in JavaScript are much more easily inspected and customised compared to compiled apps. They are also more portable and would prevent users from having to buy or use different apps on different devices for the same purpose. Without this technology, users must resort to using native apps that can't easily be inspected, that usually have full access to their entire file system, and only work on a single processor architecture. PWAs also make it easier for users to write their own apps by taking advantage of transparent examples, comprehensive reference materials, and the human-readable nature of web technologies. All of these advantages seem so aligned with Mozilla's mission it seems very uncharacteristic of them not to embrace PWAs.

[draguleanionut]

We really need native PWA support, please 🙂

This implementation is perfect if it would work sandboxed: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/pwas-for-firefox/
For now we just have to keep chromium to install PWAs.

[charlesroper]

After many years, I switched from Firefox to Edge because I needed PWAs. I used Microsoft's browser for about 6 months but have changed back to Firefox because a) I much prefer it as a browser; b) the situation with Manifest V3 and content blockers; c) the superior privacy built-in; d) the PWAsForFirefox extension is pretty good now.

It is crazy how Mozilla has dropped PWA support - it's a killer feature. So much better than bloated Electron apps. Please bring PWAs back into the core of Firefox.

[EduardoDev]

Would really improve the user experience if this goes through, especially on Linux, where most apps works really well as PWAs, but lack the integration when using Firefox.

[fat-fox]

+1 from me.

PWA's are neat.

[PatOr]

Please add PWA support as in Chrome or Edge, which allows you to install applications on the system.

[hazmil]

I have reluctantly switched to Chromium-based browser for more than a year now because of this feature. It is difficult to switch between many open web-based apps with all of them having the same icon.

Upon finding out about unofficial implementation in https://github.com/filips123/PWAsForFirefox, today I am trying to migrate my workflow using Firefox again. I hope this extension can still works and supported with further Firefox updates.

[zanna]

Please INTRODUCE WEB APPS IN FIREFOX. That is the single worst thing about Firefox I can say and the only one reason why I could possibly switch to chromium or something else: I use Linux and web apps are a great way to make apps accessible for all OSs. Firefox should be the fist to let users make and use PWAs.

[Quido]

Implementation of Progressive Web Apps is the only major benefit of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge over Mozilla Firefox. Not having it poses a serious risk of losing users, switching to Chrome and Edge.

It is understood that the implementation will take time and effort but it should be at least in the roadmap for Firefox.

[linolazar]

I'm not using Firefox only because of this. please bring back PWA

[linolazar]

Progressive Web apps are an important feature of a browser that Firefox is the only one missing. It can be the reason to switch to another browser. Most of the major social media apps, professional apps, chatting apps supports PWA feature. Its easy to switch between the PWA's rather than switching the browser tabs if you are a heavy user.

Please do vote this thread and gain the priority.

[9SMTM6]

I understand that PWAs have been pushed by Google because of Chromium and Chromebooks, and that with Apples Safari at least on mobile not supporting them properly for profit reasons, but one cant deny their usefullness.

For me too this is the primary reason I regularily use Chromium based browsers though Firefox is my primary browser, as my PWAs open links in the browser they were installed with.

Yeah theres a Add-On, but its not super easy to install, certainly not for novice users, as its not just an Add-On but also has a native application part.

Also, PWAs mesh somewhat well with WASM, where Firefox is on the forefront. WASM allows performance intensive web sites, but, maybe forever but at the very least for the time being, that usualy results in large "Websites". Yeah, AFAIK Firefox still supports caching these assets even without being able to "install" them, but a PWA would assure me that it works without setup issues, and would also allow it feeling more native with niceties like offline support (not sure if that can be done with the current state of firefox, if it can its certainly well hidden).

[Tingler]

Fedora Linux user here.

I support the idea of bringing PWAs back. Like others I use Chrome for the things I want to install as PWA although my main browser is Firefox.

It's strange Mozilla supports it on mobile. Recently I installed Mastodon  PWA from Firefox as it is better than any client app.

[mojali]

google meet is pwa

ms team is pwa

zoom is pwa

[Maverick74]

I would be happy with just a chromeless window.

A regular window, with no toolbars and just minimize, maximize and close buttons (it can come with all the other known issues)