📱 How to install the Hellenic Social PWA on your iPhone or Android device

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) offer a fast, app-like experience—right from your browser. No app store downloads required! Here’s how to install it to your home screen using the built-in "Add to Home Screen" feature on iOS and Android.

✅ What Is a PWA?

A Progressive Web App is a type of website that behaves like a native mobile app. You can open it from your home screen and enjoy a smooth, responsive performance. PWAs are lightweight, update automatically, and don’t take up as much space as traditional apps.

📲 How to Install a PWA on Android

Most modern Android devices use Chrome or another Chromium-based browser (like Edge or Brave), which makes installing PWAs a breeze.

Steps:

1. Open the website in Chrome.
2. You may see a pop-up banner at the bottom that says “Add Hellenic Social to Home screen”.
   • Don’t see the banner? Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Tap “Add to Home screen.”
4. Confirm the name (you can rename it if you want), then tap “Add.”
5. You’ll see the icon on your home screen—just like a native app!

📌 Note: Hellenic Social will even open in its own standalone window, without a browser bar.

🍏 How to Install a PWA on iPhone (iOS)

On iOS, Safari is required to install a PWA to your home screen. Apple doesn’t currently allow third-party browsers to handle this function.

Steps:

1. Open Safari and navigate to the website.
2. Tap the Share icon (the square with an arrow pointing up) at the bottom of the screen.
3. Scroll down in the share menu and tap “Add to Home Screen.”
4. You can rename the shortcut if you'd like.
5. Tap “Add” in the top-right corner.

The app icon will now appear on your home screen, and tapping it will launch the PWA in a separate window—just like a real app!

🧠 Pro Tip: Look for the PWA Prompt

Many websites that support PWAs will automatically prompt you to install the app. If you see an “Install” or “Add to Home Screen” message—go for it! It’s a one-click shortcut to having a better mobile experience.

🚀 Why Use a PWA?

• Faster access with no app store installation
• Offline functionality (when supported)
• Automatic updates
• Lightweight and efficient

Whether you’re bookmarking Hellenic Social, a favorite recipe site, a shopping platform, or a productivity tool, adding a PWA to your home screen can make daily browsing a lot smoother.