On chrome on mobile devices, the install button doesn't appear every time. This depends on machine learning algorithm as explain here :
developer.chrome.com/blog/how_chrome_helps_users_install_the_apps_they_value

To help user to install the PWA without using "Add to home screen", you can try to use the event beforeinstallprompt.

There are some information here : https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Progressive_web_apps/Guides/Making_PWAs_installable#triggering_the_install_prompt

And next is an example of code from https://whatpwacando.today/installation

let deferredEvent;

window.addEventListener('beforeinstallprompt', (e) => {
  // prevent the browser from displaying the default install dialog
  e.preventDefault();
  
  // Stash the event so it can be triggered later when the user clicks the button
  deferredEvent = e;
});

installButton.addEventListener('click', () => {
  // if the deferredEvent exists, call its prompt method to display the install dialog
  if(deferredEvent) {
    deferredEvent.prompt();
  }
});
Answer from mmm on Stack Overflow
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/chrome › how to install pwa on android?
r/chrome on Reddit: How to install pwa on Android?
July 12, 2024 -

I know you can add a shortcut to the home screen. But that's not what I'm after.

I'm trying to ad novelai as a pwa. I know it can have a pwa because I've had on my previous phone. I'm trying to get the pwa again on a new phone.

The first time I opened the site, there was the usual "install app" pop-up. I closed it by mistake and now the pop-up won't show up again no matter how many times I reload the website. Restarting the phone didn't help either.

Any help would be appreciated.

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web.dev
web.dev › learn › pwa › installation
Installation | web.dev
Depending on the device and browser, your PWA will either be installed as a WebAPK, a shortcut, or a QuickApp. A WebAPK is an Android package (APK) created by a trusted provider of the user's device, typically in the cloud, on a WebAPK minting server. This method is used by Google Chrome on devices with Google Mobile Services (GMS) installed, and by Samsung Internet browser, but only on Samsung-manufactured devices, such as a Galaxy phone or tablet. Together, this accounts for the majority of Android users.
People also ask

Do you need to install a PWA?

Yes, you need to install a PWA. Even though a PWA is a website, it basically functions like a mobile application. But unlike native apps, you don’t need to download it from any app store. You can directly install it by visiting the required website with the PWA on a browser and clicking “Install.”
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aureatelabs.com
aureatelabs.com › aureate labs › how to install pwa to your device? for ios, android, windows, & mac
How to install PWA to your device? For iOS, Android, Windows, & Mac
Can PWA be an APK?

Yes, PWA can be an APK through conversion. Though PWAs utilize HTML and similar technologies, they can be converted into APK format through several online and offline tools. These tools utilize Node.js to convert the PWA’s source code and turn it into a native app discoverable through app stores.
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aureatelabs.com
aureatelabs.com › aureate labs › how to install pwa to your device? for ios, android, windows, & mac
How to install PWA to your device? For iOS, Android, Windows, & Mac
Will PWA work properly on any mobile device?

Yes, PWA will work properly on any mobile device. A PWA is designed to work across all devices irrespective of screen size or operating system. However, there may be some limitations to the features depending on the browser. For example, the Safari browser used in iOS devices doesn’t support features such as splash screen and background color.
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aureatelabs.com
aureatelabs.com › aureate labs › how to install pwa to your device? for ios, android, windows, & mac
How to install PWA to your device? For iOS, Android, Windows, & Mac
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CDC
cdc.gov › niosh › mining › tools › installpwa.html
How to Install a PWA | Mining | CDC
January 2, 2025 - First, navigate to the site in Safari. Press the "Share" button and select "Add to Home Screen" from the popup. Lastly, tap "Add" in the top right corner to finish installing the PWA.
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Mozilla
developer.mozilla.org › en-US › docs › Web › Progressive_web_apps › Guides › Making_PWAs_installable
Making PWAs installable - Progressive web apps | MDN
By default, the install prompt contains the name and icon for the PWA. If you provide values for the description and screenshots manifest members, then, on Android only, these values will be shown in the install prompt, giving the user extra context and motivation to install the PWA.
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Classcard Helpdesk
help.classcardapp.com › en › article › how-to-download-the-pwa-on-android-and-ios-1eyyxvp
How to Download the PWA on Android and iOS | Classcard Helpdesk
Click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Google Chrome. A menu will appear. ... The installation will begin and the app will be installed on your phone in a few moments!
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Bitcot
bitcot.com › home › mobile apps › how to install a pwa to your device? a beginner’s guide
How to Install a PWA on iOS, Android, Windows & Mac [2025 Guide]
March 26, 2025 - Open the Google Chrome browser on your Android device. Visit the website of the PWA you want to install.
Find elsewhere
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Civicplus
civicplus.help › community-development › docs › install-a-progressive-web-application-pwa
Install a Progressive Web Application (PWA)
A PWA can only be installed on iOS using the Safari web browser. Navigate to the site in Safari. Your site will be the same URL as your desktop Community Development system. At the end of that URL, add /portal/pwa ... The default Chrome browser is capable of installing PWAs for Android.
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Rosterelf
support.rosterelf.com › hc › en-au › articles › 28541323610387-How-to-install-PWA-version-on-Android-smartphone
How to install PWA version on Android smartphone – RosterElf Customer Support
To install the RosterElf PWA on your Android device, open Google Chrome, go to the RosterElf login page, log in, and use Chrome’s menu to add the app to your home screen.
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Aureate Labs
aureatelabs.com › aureate labs › how to install pwa to your device? for ios, android, windows, & mac
How to install PWA to your device? For iOS, Android, Windows, & Mac
February 5, 2024 - You can install PWA on your device by clicking on the automated pop-up to add the app to the home screens of your mobile devices. Yes, PWA can be installed on mobile. Both android and iOS support PWA installation.
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Medium
medium.com › progressivewebapps › how-to-install-a-pwa-to-your-device-68a8d37fadc1
How to install a PWA to your device? | by ScandiPWA | Progressive Web Apps | Medium
December 12, 2019 - Ability to add an app to the home screen is one of many great features of Progressive Web Apps. In fact, there are several ways how you can do that. If you are browsing the web from your mobile device, when opening a web app most likely you will be prompted a pop-up asking if you want to add an app to the home screen. ... However, if you do not see a pwa install prompt straight away, simply follow these steps to quickly install any Progressive Web App to your mobile device.
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Google Support
support.google.com › chrome › answer › 9658361
Use web apps - Android - Google Chrome Help
On the right of the address bar, tap More Add to home screen Install. Follow the on-screen instructions. On your Android device, tap Settings Apps See all apps.
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GitHub
github.com › khmyznikov › pwa-install
GitHub - khmyznikov/pwa-install: Installation dialog for Progressive Web Application. Provides a more convenient user experience and fixes the lack of native dialogs in some browsers.
disable-chrome param is for completely ... on Android ---> Make a good manifest file and don't use name/descr/icon params. Boolean attributes needs to be removed to act like "false" Only the Apple template supports styling, and only the tint color option is available as of today. More to come. <!-- As attribute (JSON string) --> <pwa-install ...
Starred by 712 users
Forked by 109 users
Languages   TypeScript 62.0% | SCSS 29.8% | JavaScript 8.2%
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Nimboard
nimboard.com › blog › how-to-install-a-pwa
How to Install a Progressive Web Application (PWA)
Open the browser on your Android device and navigate to the website you want to add as a PWA. Tap the three-dot overflow menu in the top-right corner and then select 'Install App.'
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GitHub
github.com › blakeblackshear › frigate › discussions › 15655
Can't install PWA on Android (insecure?) · blakeblackshear/frigate · Discussion #15655
You can try going into chrome flags and enabling trust insecure and add http://192.168.1.205:8971 and see if that works, some phones fail to create a PWA from an ip address:port directly (there are workarounds for this as well).
Author   blakeblackshear
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Google
developers.google.com › codelabs › pwa-in-play
Adding Your Progressive Web App to Google Play | Google for Developers
Create a new app for your PWA in the Play Console. Set up internal testing for the app and add yourself as a tester. Upload your app bundle and create a testing release for your app. Install your app from the Play Store on your Android or ChromeOS device using the testing link!
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Medium
medium.com › @julianneagu › installing-pwas-on-chrome-easy-step-by-step-guide-01611e7b2165
Installing PWAs on Chrome: Easy Step-by-Step Guide | Medium
February 13, 2024 - Press Enter to visit the website. Find the installation prompt in Chrome. Click “Install” within the prompt. Access the installed PWA from the desktop, Start menu, or app launcher. ... Visit the website using Chrome on your Android device.
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MobileSyrup
mobilesyrup.com › home › how to install a progressive web app on your phone and computer
How to install a Progressive Web App on your phone and computer
May 25, 2020 - As such, we put together this handy guide to help you figure out how to install a PWA on your Android smartphone, iPhone, or computer.