miTT PWA (Progressive Web App) - Joomla as an App

Joomla as an App with miTT PWA

A PWA can have different uses, the advantages as a mobile installable app, but also desktop applications. As a unique feature miTT PWA for Joomla offers full control over the setting of the Cache, Network First, Cache First, Cache Exceptions and Static Cache, as well as the individual design of the offline page.

If you choose miTT PWA (Progressive Web App for Joomla) the key feature is the management of the cache. The PWA technology gives your Joomla website advantages such as cross-platform compatibility, independence from the app stores and better performance.

Table of Contents miTT PWA for Joomla

1. Documentation miTT PWA
2. Mobile Web App (PWA) in action
3. iOS Installation Banner
4. Open PWA on mobile device
5. App Shortcuts
6. miTT Wallet Messages
7. Performance PWA
8. Periodic Background Sync
9. How to set up miTT PWA? - video
10. Pull Down to Refresh PWA - video
11. Open the installed App from an external resource- video
12. Why PWA in general? - video

mitt PWA Documentation

1. General Documentation mitt PWA
2. Documentation PWA FIRE PUSH
3. Documentation PWA ONE PUSH
   
   

General Documentation describes the process of how to set up the plugin so that you can take advantage of its benefits. Advanced settings available at Documentation PWA FIRE PUSH or Documentation PWA ONE PUSH. For the necessary steps for installation there is a video: How to set up a mobile App in Joomla with miTT PWA (Progressive Web App)?

For questions or help please contact the FAQ or contact the Support via Google Form. For general or pre-sales questions contact me via E-Mail. miTT PWA Plugin is listed in JED (Joomla Extensions Directory).

With Joomla to the mobile web app (Android App)

As soon as the user with an Android smartphone goes to the web page, the browser will display a notice if you want to add the web page to the start screen. After clicking, a new pop up is generated to add this PWA to the device.

Depending on your browser, this message may not appear until after a repeated call. The Google Chrome Browser also displays an "Install Button" in the browser input line on the right side of the desktop.

It would also be possible to place a separate "install button" on the website or mobile web app to trigger the installation of the Progressive Web App.

Continue to the PWA Joomla Plugins

iOS Installation Banner and Splash Screen (iOS App Joomla)

On iOS, no automatic banners are displayed for installation, and there is no button installation option yet. This is remedied by a note banner, which points out the installation possibility of the PWA (Progressive Web App). To install the PWA, add the website to Home Screen. A splash screen is also displayed when the app is opened if the app content cannot be loaded quickly.

Start the Joomla PWA (Progressvie Web App) on Android and iOS

Like any app, this is started by "touching" the icon you have previously configured in the Joomla Plugin. When you open the app, a splash screen with logo and background will appear as usual, which is configured via the plugin.

For viewing the actual app, different views can be set, from "fullscreen", "minimal-ui", "standalone" or "browser".

App Shortcuts

App shortcuts are shortcuts to quickly access parts of the app in the PWA.
The user can access the app shortcuts either by right-clicking the desktop application or by force touch on the Android smartphone. (Support from Chrome Version 84)

miTT Wallet Messages

With miTT Wallet Messages, push messages can also be sent to iOS devices. You can find out exactly how this works in this video .

Continue to miTT Wallet Messages

Optimal performance for the user

miTT PWA for Joomla supports the cache API of the browser. The Service Worker takes care that static files, images, webfont and the content of the pages are put into the "Service Workers" cache of the browser. This cache is static and performant and is also controllable in contrast to the "memory cache" of the browser.
You can choose between Network First, Cache First or depending on the quality of the effective Internet connection for loading the page contents. This makes this PWA component unique and guarantees an optimal performance for the visitor.

Better offline experience with Periodic Background Sync of the mobile Joomla App (PWA)

In the case of regularly changing content, such as news, it can be useful to update content in the background. In this way, the user always has access to the latest content if there is no or poor Internet connection. The user of the mobile web app does not notice anything here, but can enjoy the content available offline. Another feature that gives the PWA a native app feeling.

This feature is currently supported by browsers based on Chromium. These include Chrome and Microsoft Edge.

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