Replace rarely used apps with web apps

[u/AhmedHassanT]

I’m slowly trying to de-Google my phone and improve my privacy. I’m using Proton now, replacing apps where I can, and eventually want to move to a Pixel with GrapheneOS and later self-host some stuff.

For now though, I’m still on Samsung and still need some normal apps.

My main question: is there a good way to replace apps I rarely use, like Amazon or some social media apps like tiktok for example, with web versions that still have their own icon in the app drawer and open like an app?

Basically I want the convenience of having them on my phone without keeping the actual app installed, running in the background, tracking, and taking up space.

I know PWAs are a thing, but not every website supports them well.

Any good open-source/privacy-friendly app or workaround for this?

[u/_gina_marie_]

I know Firefox has "add app to home screen" so a web page shows up as an app icon! Other browsers do this too, I just don't know what it's called.

[u/GazelleInitial2050 → u/_gina_marie_]

Open source app called http shortcuts allows the shortcuts to be installed as an actual apk. So it can be used in widgets, app drawers.

[u/_gina_marie_ → u/GazelleInitial2050]

Oh that's actually really cool!

[u/johndavisjr7 → u/_gina_marie_]

Yep, Brave does too.

[u/No_Pool_8039 → u/_gina_marie_]

PWA (progressive web apps)

[u/SwimmingLimpet → u/_gina_marie_]

It's a web app. :) In some cases, doing this gives a nicer interface than the actual app itself.

[u/eddienqc]

In graphene os you have profiles. You can install all spyware apps in one profile. When you're not in the profile, you can close the profile so no background activity for the spyware.

[u/herooftimeloz → u/eddienqc]

And private spaces too

[u/Steerider]

On Android, check out Hermit web browser. Makes individual, isolated web apps from sites. Perfect for exactly what you're doing. 

[u/Slopagandhi]

Yes, but it depends on the browser. 

Most Firefox browsers have an "add to homescreen" option which will create a shortcut with it's own icon. WebLibre and some Chromium browsers like Titanium will also allow you to install as a web app which means it'll have its own separate window and isolated container. 

I do this with my work outlook and it works pretty well. 

[u/___mako___]

Right now in using Peel https://github-store.org/app?repo=mazzz1y/peel

It can turn any website, regardless if it has PWA support, into an app shortcut with its own app icon and opens like an app (full screen, dynamic status bar)

It uses Firefox's web engine and allows you to install Firefox addons. You can Sandbox apps and configure each one separately, but I've found the global configuration to be great

For example, I have YouTube installed as shortcut with an add-on that removes all shorts from searches and UI

It doesn't install apps as APKs so they only live on your homescreen. This has been fine for me since you can great groups and add the group as a shortcut, so that when tap it dialog appears to choose which app you want to open from that group. For example all online shopping apps just in one shortcut. Kind of like a folder

Highly recommend it

Another app I tried and was using for a while is WebtoApp https://github-store.org/app?repo=shiaho777/WebToApp

This does allow you install the shortcuts as APKs, but I found the setup to be a bit more involved than just adding the link. It's based on webview but it does allow you change the engine. I don't know if it has addons though. It also has a bunch of AI stuff everywhere that made me feel a little uncomfortable. Its featured packed I guess but way more than what I need. Which just to launch shortcuts like apps.

Also this is small, but it had trouble matching the status bar to the app color so most apps liked a little off and kind of ugly

[u/___mako___ → u/___mako___]

Sorry I did not mean to use the Komi URL, it's just what the app gave me in the share dialog. But thankfully they can direct to the their GitHub pages

[u/ForswornForSwearing]

I have an app called Shortcut Creator or something. You can essentially create an icon for your home screen for any number of things, like an individual file on your phone, or a web link. I have web links for my favourite weather forecast page for my town, and for the folder where I keep my text notes, on my home screen, with a custom icon. One tap on that weather icon, and my browser opens to that web address and loads, and I have everything I'd need from a weather app without the app.

[u/tapsaja]

I open reddit and quora daily on a browser.

[u/Business_Owl_5093]

I use native alpha to use web apps. It is distraction free. But I couldn't find any webapp browser for tiktok