Install InterviewCue as a Progressive Web App

Experience InterviewCue Like a Native App

InterviewCue is a Progressive Web App (PWA), which means you can install it on any device and get a native-like app experience—without downloading from an app store.

What You Get When You Install

✨ Native App Experience - Runs in its own window, just like a regular app
🚀 Faster Loading - Optimized performance and instant startup
🏠 Home Screen Icon - Launch directly from your home screen or desktop
📱 Full-Screen Mode - Maximum screen space, minimal distractions
⏰ Screen Wake Lock - Your screen stays awake during interviews (no accidental sleep!)
🔒 Privacy & Security - Same secure connection, better isolation
📴 Works Offline (coming soon) - Access your interviews anytime

[PLACEHOLDER: Comparison screenshot - browser vs installed app]

What is a PWA?

A Progressive Web App is a website that behaves like a native app. It's:

  • Cross-platform - One app works on iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux
  • Always updated - Automatically gets new features (no manual updates)
  • Lightweight - Much smaller than native apps (~1-2MB vs 50-100MB)
  • No app store needed - Install directly from your browser
  • Same features - Everything works exactly the same, just better

PWA vs Native App vs Website

Feature PWA (Installed) Native App Website (Browser)
Installation Click "Install" Download from store None
Updates Automatic Manual approval Automatic
Platform support All platforms Specific platforms All platforms
Full-screen mode ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ❌ No
Home screen icon ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ⚠️ Bookmark
Screen wake lock ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ❌ No
Offline support ✅ Yes (future) ✅ Yes ❌ No

Installation Instructions

Choose your platform below:

📱 iPhone & iPad (iOS/iPadOS)

Requirements: Safari browser (iOS 12.2+)

Steps:

  1. Open InterviewCue in Safari (must use Safari, not Chrome)
  2. Tap the Share button (box with arrow pointing up) at the bottom
  3. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen"
  4. (Optional) Edit the name if you want
  5. Tap "Add" in the top right corner
  6. Done! Find InterviewCue on your home screen

[PLACEHOLDER: Step-by-step iOS screenshots]

Pro Tips:

  • iPad users: This is the BEST way to use InterviewCue during interviews—install on your iPad, prop it up next to your recording setup
  • Screen orientation: The app supports both portrait and landscape
  • Uninstalling: Long-press the icon → "Remove App" → "Delete App"

Troubleshooting:

  • Don't see "Add to Home Screen"? Make sure you're using Safari, not Chrome or another browser
  • Icon doesn't appear? Check if you're in Private Browsing mode (PWAs can't install in private mode)

🤖 Android (Phone & Tablet)

Requirements: Chrome, Edge, or Samsung Internet browser

Steps:

  1. Open InterviewCue in Chrome (or Edge/Samsung Internet)
  2. Tap the menu icon (three dots ⋮) in the top right
  3. Tap "Install app" or "Add to Home Screen"
  4. Tap "Install" in the popup
  5. Done! Find InterviewCue in your app drawer

[PLACEHOLDER: Step-by-step Android screenshots]

Alternative (Automatic Prompt):

  • Some browsers show an install banner automatically
  • If you see "Install InterviewCue" at the bottom, just tap it!

Pro Tips:

  • Tablet users: Great for interviews—landscape mode works beautifully
  • Uninstalling: Long-press the icon → "App info" → "Uninstall"
  • Pin to taskbar: After installing, you can pin it to your navigation bar

Troubleshooting:

  • No install option? Update Chrome to the latest version
  • Install disappeared? Refresh the page and try again

💻 Windows (Desktop)

Requirements: Chrome, Edge, or Brave browser (Windows 10+)

Steps:

Method 1: Install Icon (Easiest)

  1. Open InterviewCue in Chrome or Edge
  2. Look for the install icon (⊕ or computer icon) in the address bar (right side)
  3. Click the install icon
  4. Click "Install" in the popup
  5. Done! InterviewCue opens in its own window

Method 2: Menu Option

  1. Open InterviewCue
  2. Click the menu (⋮) in the top right
  3. Select "Install InterviewCue" or "Apps" → "Install this site as an app"
  4. Click "Install"

[PLACEHOLDER: Windows installation screenshots showing both methods]

Pro Tips:

  • Desktop shortcut: Right-click the app → "Pin to taskbar" or "Create shortcut"
  • Start menu: The app appears in your Start menu automatically
  • Keyboard shortcuts: All hotkeys work perfectly on desktop
  • Uninstalling: Settings → Apps → InterviewCue → Uninstall

Troubleshooting:

  • No install icon? Make sure you're on the homepage or a main page, not a subpage
  • Can't find menu option? Try refreshing the page

🍎 macOS (Desktop)

Requirements: Safari 14+ or Chrome 90+

Steps:

In Safari:

  1. Open InterviewCue in Safari
  2. Go to File menu → "Add to Dock"
  3. Done! InterviewCue appears in your Dock

In Chrome:

  1. Open InterviewCue in Chrome
  2. Look for the install icon (⊕) in the address bar
  3. Click the install icon
  4. Click "Install"
  5. Done! InterviewCue opens in its own window

[PLACEHOLDER: macOS installation screenshots]

Pro Tips:

  • Dock placement: Drag the icon to reorder it in your Dock
  • Keyboard shortcuts: All hotkeys work perfectly
  • Uninstalling (Safari): Right-click icon in Dock → Options → Remove from Dock
  • Uninstalling (Chrome): Chrome menu → More Tools → Uninstall InterviewCue

🖥️ ChromeOS & Linux

Requirements: Chrome browser

Steps:

  1. Open InterviewCue in Chrome
  2. Click the install icon (⊕) in the address bar
  3. Click "Install"
  4. Done! InterviewCue appears in your app launcher

ChromeOS specific:

  • App appears in the Chrome OS launcher
  • Pin to shelf for quick access
  • Works great on Chromebook tablets with touch

Linux specific:

  • App appears in your applications menu
  • Works with keyboard shortcuts
  • Great for desktop podcasting setups

After Installation

First Launch

When you open the installed app for the first time:

  1. You'll be logged in (if you were already logged in)
  2. The app opens in full-screen mode
  3. It looks and feels like a native app
  4. All your data is still there

What Changes

Better:

  • ✅ Own window (not a browser tab)
  • ✅ Cleaner interface (no address bar)
  • ✅ Faster startup
  • ✅ Screen stays awake during interviews
  • ✅ Feels more professional

Same:

  • ✅ All features work identically
  • ✅ Same data and account
  • ✅ Same login
  • ✅ Automatic updates

Updating the App

Automatic Updates

Good news: PWAs update automatically!

  • When we release new features, your app updates itself
  • No manual downloads or app store approvals
  • Usually updates within 24 hours of release
  • Happens in the background

Force an Update

If you want to update immediately:

  1. Close the app completely
  2. Reopen it
  3. If an update is available, you might see a brief "Updating..." message
  4. The app reloads with the latest version

Uninstalling (If Needed)

Need to uninstall? Here's how:

iPhone/iPad

  1. Long-press the app icon
  2. Tap "Remove App"
  3. Choose "Delete App"

Android

  1. Long-press the app icon
  2. Tap "App info" (ⓘ)
  3. Tap "Uninstall"

Windows

  1. Settings → Apps
  2. Find "InterviewCue"
  3. Click "Uninstall"

macOS (Safari)

  1. Right-click icon in Dock
  2. Options → Remove from Dock

macOS/Windows (Chrome)

  1. Chrome menu (⋮)
  2. More Tools → Uninstall InterviewCue

Troubleshooting Installation Issues

"Install" Option Not Appearing

Possible causes:

  • Browser not supported (use Chrome, Edge, or Safari)
  • Already installed (check your home screen/apps)
  • Private/Incognito mode (can't install in private mode)
  • Page hasn't fully loaded (refresh and wait)

Solutions:

  • Switch to a supported browser
  • Try the alternative installation method
  • Exit private mode
  • Hard refresh the page (Ctrl+Shift+R or Cmd+Shift+R)

Installation Fails or Errors

Try these steps:

  1. Clear browser cache and cookies
  2. Restart your browser
  3. Try a different browser
  4. Check for browser updates
  5. Restart your device

Installed App Won't Open

Solutions:

  • Uninstall and reinstall
  • Check if you have a stable internet connection
  • Clear browser data
  • Update your browser/OS

App Looks Wrong After Installing

Fixes:

  • Close the app completely and reopen
  • Clear the app cache
  • Uninstall and reinstall
  • Try using the website for now, report the issue

Browser Compatibility

✅ Fully Supported (Install + All Features)

  • Chrome 90+ (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android)
  • Edge 90+ (Windows, Mac)
  • Safari 14+ (macOS, iOS, iPadOS)
  • Samsung Internet 14+ (Android)
  • Brave 90+ (Windows, Mac, Linux)

⚠️ Partially Supported (Website works, install may vary)

  • Firefox (website works great, PWA install limited)
  • Opera (website works, installation varies)

❌ Not Supported

  • Internet Explorer (outdated browser)
  • Very old browser versions

Recommendation: Use Chrome, Edge, or Safari for the best experience.

Platform-Specific Features

iOS/iPadOS Advantages

  • Screen wake lock works perfectly during interviews
  • Home screen integration feels completely native
  • Offline support (when we enable it) works great
  • iPad split-screen for multitasking (e.g., InterviewCue + notes app)

Android Advantages

  • Integration with Android (share intents, notifications)
  • Flexible installation (works with multiple browsers)
  • Taskbar pinning for quick access

Desktop Advantages

  • Keyboard shortcuts all work perfectly
  • Multiple windows (open multiple interviews)
  • Larger screen for detailed timeline work
  • Professional podcasting setup (desktop is king)

Why We Built a PWA Instead of Native Apps

You might wonder: "Why not iOS and Android apps?"

Benefits of PWA

For you:

  • ✅ One app, all platforms - iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS
  • ✅ Always up-to-date - No waiting for app store approvals
  • ✅ Smaller download - 1-2MB vs 50-100MB
  • ✅ No app store hassles - Install directly
  • ✅ Same features everywhere - Perfect parity across devices

For us (which means faster development for you):

  • ✅ Single codebase - More time for features, less time for platform-specific bugs
  • ✅ Instant updates - Fix bugs and ship features immediately
  • ✅ No app store delays - Updates reach you in hours, not days/weeks
  • ✅ Lower costs - No app store fees means more resources for development

What You Don't Lose

Modern PWAs provide:

  • Full-screen immersive experience
  • Home screen/dock icons
  • Push notifications (when we add them)
  • Offline support (coming soon)
  • Background sync (future)
  • Native-like performance

Bottom line: PWAs are the future of cross-platform apps, and you get all the benefits today!

Best Practices

Where to Install

For podcasters:

  • Primary setup: Install on your desktop for keyboard shortcuts
  • Recording companion: Install on iPad/tablet next to your recording setup
  • Mobile backup: Install on phone for quick reference on the go

For journalists:

  • Phone: Always available for field interviews
  • Laptop: Desktop app for office work
  • Tablet: Perfect balance of portability and screen size

For producers:

  • Desktop: Main editing and timeline work
  • Phone: Quick checks and updates

When to Use Web vs Installed App

Use installed app when:

  • ✅ Conducting live interviews (screen wake lock!)
  • ✅ Need distraction-free environment
  • ✅ Want faster performance
  • ✅ Using on mobile/tablet regularly

Use website when:

  • ✅ Quick one-time access
  • ✅ Trying InterviewCue for the first time
  • ✅ Using someone else's computer
  • ✅ Having technical issues with the app

Truth: Both work great! Install for the best experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does installing use my storage?

Yes, but very little—typically 1-2MB. Much smaller than native apps (50-100MB).

Will it work offline?

Not yet, but we're working on it! Once enabled, you'll be able to:

  • Access your interview list offline
  • View existing interviews and questions
  • Conduct interviews without internet

You'll need internet to sync data back to the cloud.

Does it drain my battery?

No more than any other app. The installed version is actually more efficient than keeping a browser tab open.

Can I install on multiple devices?

Yes! Install on all your devices:

  • Your work laptop
  • Your home desktop
  • Your iPad
  • Your phone

All devices sync the same account and data.

Is it safe?

Yes! PWAs use the same security as regular websites:

  • HTTPS encryption
  • Secure authentication
  • No extra permissions needed
  • Same privacy as the website

Do I need to update it manually?

Nope! Updates happen automatically. When we release new features, your app updates itself within 24 hours.

Can I use it with a keyboard and mouse?

Absolutely! Desktop installations work perfectly with keyboard shortcuts and mouse interactions.

Get Help

Still Having Issues?

  • Troubleshooting Guide - Common problems and solutions
  • FAQ - More questions answered
  • Contact Support - We're here to help!

Ready to Install?

Pick your platform above and follow the steps. Takes less than 30 seconds!

After installation, you'll have a professional interview tool that's always ready when you are. 🚀

Related Documentation

Happy interviewing with your new app! 📱✨