Progressive Web App (PWA)
LNbits works as a Progressive Web App - install it on your phone or desktop for a native app experience, no app store needed.
What is a PWA?
A Progressive Web App is a website that can be installed on your device and used like a native app. LNbits ships with full PWA support out of the box - you get:
- Home screen icon - launch LNbits like any other app
- Fullscreen mode - no browser chrome, just LNbits
- Offline indicator - shows connection status
- Push-ready - works with the notification system
- Instant access - no app store, no downloads, no updates to manage
Install LNbits as an App
Android (Chrome)
- Open your LNbits instance in Chrome
- Tap the three-dot menu (top right)
- Tap "Add to Home screen" or "Install app"
- Confirm the installation
- LNbits appears as an app icon on your home screen
iOS (Safari)
- Open your LNbits instance in Safari
- Tap the Share button (bottom center)
- Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen"
- Tap Add
- LNbits appears as an app icon on your home screen
TIP
On iOS, only Safari supports PWA installation. Chrome and Firefox on iOS cannot install PWAs.
Desktop (Chrome / Edge)
- Open your LNbits instance in Chrome or Edge
- Click the install icon in the address bar (or Menu → "Install LNbits")
- Confirm the installation
- LNbits opens in its own window without browser UI
Why Use the PWA?
| Feature | Browser | PWA |
|---|---|---|
| Home screen icon | No | Yes |
| Fullscreen (no URL bar) | No | Yes |
| Separate window (desktop) | No | Yes |
| Task switcher entry | No | Yes |
| Quick launch | Bookmark | App icon |
The PWA is especially useful for:
- Merchants using TPoS - fullscreen point-of-sale on a tablet
- Mobile wallets - quick access to send and receive Lightning payments
- Shared devices - each user can install their own LNbits instance as a separate app
For Instance Operators
LNbits ships with a manifest.json and service worker that enable PWA functionality automatically. No additional configuration is needed.
If you customize your instance branding (site title, theme color), the PWA will reflect those settings.
Related Pages
- TPoS: Touch-friendly point-of-sale - works great as a PWA
- First Setup: Post-install configuration
- Core Features: All core LNbits features