YouTube has finally announced the Progressive Web App(PWA) version of the website. This new feature allows users to experience YouTube Website as a native app on their devices.
PWA allows instant access of the website as native app without having to install the official app that is developed for that website.
What is PWA and How it Works?
In simple words, Progressive Web Apps or in short PWA are web pages that open in the form of stand-alone native apps on any device irrespective of the operating system you’re using. PWA gives a website the capability to mold itself as an app on any platform, i.e. iOS, Android, Windows, or any other operating system.
It also works offline for some of the websites that don’t need an all-time active internet connection, by leveraging browsing caching but as in the case of YouTube, to continuously play the video you’ll have to be online.
PWA uses a browser to install a native app version of the website that you’re vising on your device where the URLs open in the browser only but shown as in the form of an app.
PWA Support for YouTube Music & YouTube TV
Google already introduced PWA support for YouTube Music and YouTube TV earlier. But now the PWA support has also been introduced for YouTube.
According to Google Developers, “Progressive Web Apps use modern web capabilities to deliver an app-like user experience. They evolve from pages in browser tabs to immersive, top-level apps, maintaining the web’s low friction at every moment.”
How to Use YouTube PWA Capability?
- In the chrome browser open youtube.com
- You would be able to see a plus icon on the right side of the URL box
- Click on the plus(+) icon.
- A pop-up would come up saying, Install App.
- It would take some time and Youtube would be installed as PWA on your device
- It can now be launched from the Search Box or app drawer.
