Online Documentation
Turn your WordPress site into a clean, installable app experience — without complex caching or fragile setups.
Overview
LinkLens PWA App Shell adds a professional Progressive Web App (PWA) layer to your WordPress site. It allows visitors to install your site on their device’s home screen or app launcher and open it like a native app, complete with your branding, icon, and colors.
This plugin focuses on reliability and simplicity, avoiding aggressive offline caching that often causes broken pages or stale content.
Key Features
- Home-screen installation on mobile and desktop
- Custom app name, icon, and theme colors
- Smart install prompt handling
- iOS fallback helper with Add to Home Screen guidance
- Page-level control for where install prompts appear
- Lightweight architecture with no content caching
- WooCommerce and community-site friendly
- White-label friendly with no external branding
Requirements
- WordPress 6.0 or higher
- HTTPS enabled (required for PWAs)
- Modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox*)
- PHP 7.4 or higher
Note: Firefox supports installability differently and may not show prompts the same way as Chromium browsers.
Installation
- Upload the plugin ZIP via Plugins → Add New
- Activate LinkLens PWA App Shell
- Go to Settings → PWA App Shell
- Configure your app details
- Visit your site on a supported browser to test installation
Settings Breakdown
App Identity
These values control how your app appears once installed.
App Name
The full name shown on install prompts and app launchers.
Short Name
A shortened label used under icons. A maximum of 12 characters is recommended.
Description
Used in the web manifest to provide context during installation.
Branding
App Icon
Upload a square image with a minimum size of 512×512 pixels. A transparent PNG is recommended.
Theme Color
Controls the browser UI color and the app toolbar color.
Background Color
Displayed during the app loading and splash experience.
Display Mode
Choose how the app appears when launched.
Standalone (recommended)
Opens without browser UI for the most native-like experience.
Minimal UI
Shows limited browser controls.
Browser
Opens like a normal browser tab and is not recommended for app use.
Install Prompt Behavior
Control where and how users see install prompts.
Enable Install Prompt
Turns the prompt system on or off globally.
Prompt Delay
Optional delay before showing the install prompt.
Allowed Pages
Restrict install prompts to selected pages only, such as the homepage, dashboard, or a landing page.
iOS Fallback Helper
Apple devices do not support automatic install prompts.
When enabled, LinkLens PWA App Shell displays a clean, non-intrusive helper explaining how to use Share → Add to Home Screen.
You can customize the title, instruction text, and button labels. The helper only appears on iOS and Safari devices.
Offline and Caching Philosophy
Important design decision: LinkLens PWA App Shell does not aggressively cache pages or site content.
This approach prevents stale pages, avoids broken WooCommerce carts, eliminates support issues caused by over-caching, and keeps dynamic or logged-in experiences reliable.
The plugin focuses on installability, app identity, and launch experience. If advanced offline content caching is required, a dedicated caching solution is recommended.
WooCommerce Compatibility
The plugin is fully compatible with WooCommerce.
It is safe for carts, checkout, and My Account pages and does not interfere with sessions, pricing, or dynamic content.
Best practice is to allow install prompts on the homepage, product pages, and logged-in dashboard pages while avoiding prompts on checkout, cart, and payment confirmation pages.
Testing Installability
Desktop (Chrome or Edge)
Visit your site and look for the install icon in the address bar or wait for the in-page install prompt.
Android
Open the site in Chrome. The install prompt may appear automatically or be accessible through the browser menu under “Install app.”
iOS
Open the site in Safari, tap the Share icon, and choose Add to Home Screen. The fallback helper can guide users if enabled.
Common Questions
Why don’t I see the install prompt?
Browser eligibility rules apply. Users may need to visit the site more than once, interact with the page, and use HTTPS. Browsers also throttle prompts by design.
This behavior is normal for PWAs.
Can I white-label this plugin?
Yes. The plugin does not inject external branding or credits on the front end.
Does this create a real app store app?
No. This plugin creates a Progressive Web App, not a native App Store or Google Play listing.
Will this slow my site down?
No. The plugin is lightweight and does not cache or rewrite site content.
Updates and Maintenance
Plugin updates are delivered through your LinkLens Labs account. The plugin is compatible with modern WordPress releases and designed for long-term stability.
Support
If you need help, visit the Support page on LinkLensLabs.com and use the contact form or support email.
When requesting support, please include your WordPress version, the browser and device used, and a brief description of the issue.
Final Notes
LinkLens PWA App Shell is designed for site owners who want a professional installable experience, clean branding, minimal risk, and zero complexity.