How to Save a Website as an App on iPhone

Things to Know

• Apple makes it easy for all major browsers to save websites as apps.
• The “Add to Home Screen” found under the Share icon creates the app.
• You can choose the name and exact URL of the app before saving it.

As hard as it might be to believe, there may not always be an app for that. There are plenty of companies and websites that haven’t developed their own app but you might still want access to it regularly. Thus, it can be nice to have a shortcut right on your phone’s home screen rather than having to dig through your favorite websites on Safari.

In this article, we’ll be showing you how to save a website as an app on iPhone.

Your Guide on How to Save a Website as an App on iPhone

The ability to save any website as an app is not a new feature. In fact, the “Add to Home Screen” option was introduced to Safari way back in 2012. Third-party browsers were a bit slower, but as of iOS 16.4, they’ve got the capability too.

When you save a website as an app, the site’s thumbnail will serve as the icon. Tapping it will open your main browser and take you straight to the link. Some sites even offer support for this format, offering links that act like apps, rather than website links.

Here’s how to add major browsers as apps to your home screen.

Safari

Let’s start with Apple’s default browser. Here’s what to do:

1. Open Safari and enter the link of the site you want to add. For our example, we’ll be using Apple’s site.

2. Once on the site, tap the Share button (the box with the arrow pointing upwards).

3. Scroll down until you see the “Add to Home Screen” option. Give this a tap.

4. A new window will pop up. You’ll be given the chance to name your app and enter the precise URL you’d like it to take you to. You’ll also get a chance to see what your icon will look like.

5. Tap “Add” once done.

6. Your new app will be added to your iPhone’s menu.

Chrome

Chrome varies in its approach slightly. Here’s how you save an app:

1. Open Chrome and head to your website of choice.

2. Tap the right of the Search Bar, where you see the Share icon.

3. In the menu that pops up, choose “Add to Home Screen.”

4. Confirm the name and URL of your app, then hit “Add” to confirm.

5. Your site should now be saved as an app.

Firefox

For Firefox, the process varies slightly yet again. Here’s what to do:

1. Open the browser and enter the site’s URL into the Search Bar. For the Firefox app, this bar can either be at the top or bottom of your screen, depending on preference.

2. Once on the site, tap the Share button right next to the Reload button on your Search Bar.

3. Scroll down in the menu that pops up and select “Add to Home Screen.”

4. Confirm the name and URL of your app and confirm it all with “Add.”

5. Your app will be added to your Home Screen.