Explore key concepts of the Add-to-Home-Screen (A2HS) user experience and API integration with this quiz, designed to evaluate your knowledge of optimal A2HS flows, prompt timing, permissions, and technical requirements. Improve your skill set in implementing effective and user-friendly installation processes on web applications.
Which approach is considered best practice for prompting users to add a web app to their home screen after they repeatedly use the app over several visits?
Explanation: Waiting for contextual user engagement before showing the Add-to-Home-Screen prompt ensures users see the invitation when they are most likely to appreciate it. Prompting immediately or after a timed delay can feel intrusive or irrelevant, leading to prompt fatigue or dismissals. Continuously showing the prompt reduces user satisfaction and often results in prompt blindness. Contextually waiting typically leads to higher engagement and installation rates.
A user opens your web app, which they want to install via A2HS, but the installation prompt never appears; which condition is most likely missing from the app regarding API integration?
Explanation: Service Worker registration is required for the A2HS prompt to become available as it ensures the app offers reliable offline support. While having an offline page and HTTPS protocol are recommended, only the lack of Service Worker registration directly blocks the A2HS prompt. Push notification permissions are unrelated to A2HS eligibility and do not affect the prompt's appearance.
Why is a manifest file with appropriate fields necessary for supporting the Add-to-Home-Screen flow in modern browsers?
Explanation: The manifest file describes how the app will appear and function once added to the home screen, including its icons, display mode, and name. It does not directly provide offline capabilities—that is handled by Service Workers. User authentication and session persistence are separate concerns outside the purpose of the manifest file. The manifest's primary role is to inform the browser about how to present and launch the app post-installation.
If a user rejects the Add-to-Home-Screen prompt, what is the most user-friendly approach an app should take regarding showing the prompt again later?
Explanation: Waiting for a reasonable period or for clear repeated engagement before re-prompting is considered user-friendly and respects user choice. Showing the prompt on every visit annoys users and reduces perceived app quality. Never showing the prompt again ignores users who might reconsider, while using every app update as a trigger can also be seen as intrusive. Balancing user control and offering opportunities to reconsider is key to a good user experience.
Which permission does the Add-to-Home-Screen API require from users during the installation flow?
Explanation: The Add-to-Home-Screen API does not require users to grant any special permissions for installation—users simply choose whether to install the app. Permissions for location, camera, or microphone are not involved in the A2HS process and are typically prompted separately if needed by app features. The lack of required permissions helps streamline the installation flow and makes A2HS accessible to a wider user base.