App Manifest Configuration That Makes Your PWA Indistinguishable From Native

The web app manifest controls how your PWA appears when installed: its name, icon, splash screen, theme color, display mode, and orientation. We configure manifests that create a polished, branded install experience and standalone app behavior that users cannot distinguish from a native application.

68%

increase in mobile traffic for PWAs, with installability through properly configured manifests being a key factor in user retention and repeat engagement

Google, 2020

App Manifest Configuration

Web app manifest configuration with icon generation, splash screen design, standalone display mode, theme customization, and install prompt optimization for a native-quality install experience.
Smartphone displaying popular social media apps like Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Snapchat.

What's Included

Everything you get with our App Manifest Configuration

Manifest Configuration

Complete manifest.json with app name, short name, description, start URL, display mode, orientation, theme color, background color, and scope configured for your application structure

Icon and Splash Screen Generation

App icons in every required size for Android, iOS, and desktop, plus splash screen configuration with your brand colors and logo for the launch experience

Install Prompt Optimization

Custom install prompt UI with deferred beforeinstallprompt handling, contextual trigger timing, and install success tracking analytics

Our App Manifest Configuration Process

1

Brand and Requirements Audit

We gather your app name, brand colors, logo assets, and display preferences. We document the start URL, scope, orientation requirements, and any shortcuts or share target functionality needed.

2

Icon and Splash Screen Generation

We generate app icons in every required size: 48px through 512px for Android, 120px through 180px for iOS, plus maskable icons for adaptive icon support. We configure splash screens with brand colors.

3

Manifest Implementation

We create the manifest.json with all properties configured, link it in the HTML head, implement the beforeinstallprompt handler for custom install prompts, and add install success tracking.

4

Cross-Platform Testing

We test the install flow on Chrome Android, Safari iOS, Chrome desktop, Edge, and Firefox. We verify icon rendering, splash screens, standalone display, and start URL on each platform.

Key Benefits

Professional install experience

Properly sized icons, branded splash screens, themed status bars, and smooth launch transitions create an install experience as polished as any app store app. Users see your brand, not browser chrome, from the moment they tap the icon.

Standalone display that feels native

Standalone display mode hides the browser address bar and navigation. Your app occupies the full screen with your themed status bar. Users interact with your app, not a browser tab. This single change makes the biggest perceptual difference between a website and an app.

Higher install rates through smart prompting

We intercept the browser's beforeinstallprompt event and show a custom install UI at the optimal moment. Users who have engaged with your app and understand its value are more likely to install than users who see a prompt on first visit.

Research & Evidence

Backed by industry research and proven results

PWA Impact Study

Installed PWAs see significantly higher session frequency and duration compared to browser-only access, and the web app manifest is what enables the install experience

Google (2020)

Page Load and Conversion

A 1-second site converts at 3x the rate of a 5-second site, and standalone display mode eliminates browser chrome to dedicate the full screen to your application

Portent (2022)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a web app manifest?

A manifest.json file that tells browsers how to present your app when installed. It defines the app name, icons, splash screen colors, display mode, start URL, and orientation. Without it, your PWA cannot be installed to the home screen. With it properly configured, your web app is indistinguishable from a native app.

What display modes are available?

Standalone hides browser chrome and is the most common for PWAs. Fullscreen hides both browser chrome and the status bar, useful for games and immersive content. Minimal-ui shows a minimal browser interface with back and reload buttons. Browser is the default web experience. We recommend standalone for most applications.

How do you handle iOS manifest differences?

iOS uses apple-touch-icon meta tags for icons and apple-mobile-web-app-capable for standalone mode in addition to the manifest. We configure both the standard manifest and iOS-specific meta tags to ensure consistent behavior across platforms. Splash screen images for iOS require specific dimensions per device model.

How long does manifest configuration take?

Basic manifest configuration with icon generation takes 2 to 3 days. Full configuration with custom install prompts, install analytics, and cross-platform testing takes 1 to 2 weeks. This is often done as part of a broader PWA development engagement.

Make Your Web App Installable and Professional

Share your brand assets and app requirements. We will configure the manifest that makes your PWA install beautifully on every platform.