[Feature Request] Support add website to home screen

[KevCui]

From browser app like Chrome / FF, it's possible to add a website to home screen like a shortcut. e.g: https://www.howtogeek.com/667938/how-to-add-a-website-to-your-android-home-screen/
It would be great that this kind of shortcut will show up in app search list.

[tanujnotes]

I'll see what I can do.

[Minkiu]

Hey,

so in case anyone that knows Android development (I don't) ends up here, I did a bit of digging and I think what is missing is some sort of database to handle Shortcuts, on top of declaring in the AndroidManifest.xml:

    <uses-permission android:name="com.android.launcher.permission.INSTALL_SHORTCUT" />
    <uses-permission android:name="com.android.launcher.permission.UNINSTALL_SHORTCUT" />

I mention the database since that seems to be how other foss launcher handle it, for example:
https://github.com/SubhamTyagi/Last-Launcher/blob/9e1f5355b457d37e4d8218e3d00a93d704367d4d/app/src/main/java/io/github/subhamtyagi/lastlauncher/utils/ShortcutUtils.java

Also by reading ShortcutManager#requestPinShortcut docs, it seems that when an app, such as firefox, attempts to "install" something the "The default launcher will receive this request" so I guess there must be a way to "listen" to these? Not sure if adding those lines in the manifest is enough for firefox to know it can install things?

Sorry for bothering whoever is subscribed to this, hope that this helps to someone.

[D-ominik]

It would be great if a solution could be found. The fact that you can't use Progressive Web Apps with Olauncher is a big drawback.

[fmatheus]

It think would cover also other apps shortcuts, link direct to weather inside google app, or to a specific contact of messenger apps. Would be great!

[jlemonde]

I desperately need that feature too! Launching webapps is crucial!

[tanujnotes]

If it's not too complicated to add, I'll do my best to add this feature in the next update. I understand how important this feature is and should not have taken this long.

[louisabraham]

Hi, I'm willing to help. I never did android development but if you are willing to spend a bit of time to tutor me I'm pretty sure I could implement this @tanujnotes

[fmatheus]

I'm not a android dev, but I think the backend would be something like:
https://medium.com/android-news/nhandling-shortcuts-when-building-an-android-launcher-5908d0bb50d2
But the frontend would involve

1. listing the shortcuts together with the apps names
2. list shortcuts when holding press over a app name
   What do you think?

[D-ominik]

Sorry to open this again. Does the merge mean that this function is now added?

How is it used? In the browser, the "Add to home screen" menu item is not available (Chrome and Kiwi). It basically appears when I define another launcher as default and there the PWA is added to the homescreen.

Anyway, thank you for your efforts!

[Docnight]

I just installed OLauncher and this feature is desperately missing!

[Minimalistischer]

OLauncher is the best.
I'm also waiting for PWA support,
but until then I'll help myself with Elway's WebApp.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=md.elway.webapp&hl=de&gl=US

[tanujnotes]

I just started working on this. At least a test version should be available soon.

[2IkHLHB]

This would be such a great feature. It's the only thing I miss from my phone's default launcher.

[tanujnotes]

I started working on it but it's more complicated than I expected, so it's on pause for now. Unlike showing the list of all installed apps, which is common for every launcher, PWAs are handled differently. If you add PWA on one launcher, it won't work with other launchers. And the fact that Olauncher does not have a regular home screen makes things even more complicated.
I'll get back to this in some time.

[fmatheus]

That is sad. Do you think that borrowing some code from Kiss launcher could make it easier? It seems to handle it. And also the secondary app actions, like open youtube search instead of home screen. The downside is their fuzzy search that kills the auto launch that we love in Olauncher! (Besides it takes many configurations to enable minimal interface, Olauncher like, with widgets.)

…

On Sat, Apr 22, 2023 at 3:57 PM Tanuj ***@***.***> wrote: I started working on it but it's more complicated than I expected, so it's on pause for now. Unlike showing the list of all installed apps, which is common for every launcher, PWAs are handled differently. If you add PWA on one launcher, it won't work with other launchers. And the fact that Olauncher does not have a regular home screen makes things even more complicated. I'll get back to this in some time. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#20 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAJMTVYNJCZ4EEEUPMWANP3XCQSZBANCNFSM4RTG6H6Q> . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[tanujnotes]

@fmatheus Yeah I have checked out other launchers and how they handle PWAs. Implementing it will require some time, which I don't have at the moment. I'll get back to this later.

[filipesmedeiros]

@tanujnotes would it help if this was sponsored by the community? If so, how much do you think the development of this feature could be worth? I'm using OLauncherCF (a fork) and I believe that if you implement it here, it can be migrated downstream easily.

Thanks for all the work on this amazing launcher! :)

[tanujnotes]

I'm planning to work on this in Q1, 2024. If anyone wants to support the development, a cup of coffee is all I need. :D

[kylrth]

Hey I dropped you a bit of cash, any updates on this? :)