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Install Tribu as a PWA

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itsDNNS edited this page Apr 30, 2026 · 1 revision

Install Tribu as an App

Tribu is a Progressive Web App. You can install it from the browser and use it from the home screen without waiting for a separate Android or iOS app.

Use this guide when you want the everyday Tribu experience on a phone, tablet, kitchen device, or desktop launcher.

What the PWA gives you

Installed Tribu opens in a focused app window and keeps the same self-hosted server, account, permissions, and family data as the web app.

Good fits:

  • quick access to the family dashboard
  • calendar, tasks, shopping, contacts, rewards, meals, recipes, and gifts
  • browser push notifications when your server and browser support them
  • a clear offline/update banner when connectivity or app version changes
  • one shared web codebase across Android, iOS, desktop, and tablets

Not the same as a native app yet:

  • there is no app-store package
  • background sync is browser-dependent
  • full offline editing is not promised yet
  • iOS installation and push behavior depends on Safari and the installed home-screen app mode

Install on Android

Chrome and many Chromium-based Android browsers support PWA installation.

  1. Open your Tribu URL in Chrome.
  2. Sign in normally.
  3. If Chrome offers Install app, use it.
  4. If no banner appears, open the browser menu and choose Add to Home screen or Install app.
  5. Launch Tribu from the new home-screen icon.

Tips:

  • Install prompts depend on browser heuristics, HTTPS, and whether the app has been used recently.
  • If the prompt does not appear immediately, keep using Tribu in the browser and try the menu option.
  • Android push support depends on browser permissions and server-side Web Push configuration.

Install on iPhone or iPad

Safari installs PWAs manually through the share sheet.

  1. Open your Tribu URL in Safari.
  2. Tap Share.
  3. Choose Add to Home Screen.
  4. Confirm the name and tap Add.
  5. Open Tribu from the home-screen icon.

Notes for iOS:

  • The Chromium-style install prompt is not available on iOS.
  • Push notifications require a supported iOS/iPadOS version and the installed home-screen web app.
  • iOS may reclaim local browser storage under pressure, so do not treat the device as the only copy of important family data.

Install on desktop

Chrome, Edge and some other desktop browsers can install Tribu.

  1. Open your Tribu URL.
  2. Use the browser install icon in the address bar, or open the browser menu.
  3. Choose Install Tribu or Install this site as an app.
  4. Pin it to the dock, launcher, taskbar, or start menu if desired.

Offline behavior

Tribu includes an offline fallback and connection status banners, but the current PWA should be treated as online-first.

What to expect today:

  • The app shell and offline page can load when the network drops.
  • The app shows an offline banner when the browser reports no connectivity.
  • It shows a back-online banner when the browser reconnects.
  • Data already visible in the current session may remain visible while the page stays open.
  • Some actions require the server and will fail or wait until connectivity returns.

What is not promised yet:

  • full offline editing
  • guaranteed offline access to all family data
  • conflict resolution for edits made by several family members while offline
  • background sync across all browsers

If offline-first behavior becomes a priority, it should be implemented with explicit local storage, sync state, retry handling, conflict handling, and private data cleanup on logout.

Updates

When a new Tribu version is available, the PWA can show an update banner.

Recommended behavior:

  1. Finish the current action if you are editing something.
  2. Tap the update action in the banner.
  3. The app reloads into the newer version.

If something looks stale after a server update, close all Tribu tabs/windows and reopen the installed app.

Push notifications

Browser push needs three things:

  1. A browser and platform that supports Web Push.
  2. Server-side push configuration, including VAPID settings.
  3. User permission for notifications on the current device/browser.

See Notifications and Push for setup and troubleshooting.

Good notification use cases:

  • event reminders
  • tasks assigned to you
  • due or overdue household work
  • important family updates

Avoid noisy notifications for every small shopping-list or activity change. Lock screens are visible to people nearby, so notification text should stay useful but conservative.

Shared home displays are different

The Shared Home Display is intentionally isolated from normal personal-session PWA behavior.

A kitchen tablet or wall display should use display pairing, not a parent account left signed in. Display routes avoid the normal personal app bootstrap so they do not accidentally load user sessions, notifications, or private account state.

Troubleshooting

I do not see an install prompt

  • Check that Tribu is served over HTTPS.
  • Use the browser menu and look for Install app or Add to Home screen.
  • On iOS, use Safari and the Share menu.
  • Make sure the browser supports PWA installation.

The installed app opens the wrong server

  • Remove the installed app icon.
  • Open the correct Tribu URL in the browser.
  • Install again from that URL.

Push does not work

  • Confirm the server has Web Push configured.
  • Check browser notification permissions.
  • On iOS, confirm you are using the installed home-screen app on a supported version.
  • See Notifications and Push and Troubleshooting.

The app says I am offline but the network works elsewhere

  • Reload the app.
  • Check the reverse proxy and backend health.
  • Try the same URL in a normal browser tab.
  • If only the installed app is stale, close it fully and reopen it.

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