First look at Chrome on Desktop’s New PWA Install UI

Chrome on desktop may soon replace the current install dialog that surfaces when you click the icon in Omnibox for a Progressive Web App with a screenshot and description. Google has already done this for Chrome on Android.

Google wants to make the PWA installation experience on par with the native apps on Android and Windows.

First things first, the new install UI for PWAs is already available for Chrome on Android behind a flag in version 91.

You need to enable chrome://flags/#mobile-pwa-install-use-bottom-sheet and tap the install option for Squoosh app to see the new dialog.

Google to bring the same UI to desktop PWAs as well for Chrome.

You can check the screenshot grabbed from a document by Techdows below. The UI is experimental and may change in the future.

desktop PWA new richer Install UI chrome

As of now, Chrome shows the following dialog when you click on the install icon in the address bar.

current or old desktop PWA install UI Chrome

The developers of the site need to add a minimum of one screenshot. The description is recommended, but not required.

What’s your take on this? Do you feel the new PWA install dialog on the desktop provides more context when the user installs an app? Let us know in the comments below.

More on PWAs in Chrome:

Chrome PWAs are getting Shortcuts Menu to access common tasks

Chrome may remove the Status bar from PWAs

Chrome lets you Disable PWAs that run at Startup

Chrome adds Colored Tab Strips to PWAs

Venkat Eswarlu

Venkat is an independent technology journalist and the founder of Techdows. He has been covering web browsers, Windows, and software news since 2009. His exclusive scoops on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge features have been cited by Forbes, TechCrunch, Wired, CNET, and other major publications.

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