> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.hoopai.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Branded membership app (PWA)

> Create a branded Progressive Web App for your community and courses in HoopAI — app-like experience without the app store.

A Progressive Web App (PWA) gives your community members an app-like experience on their phone — with your branding, an icon on their home screen, and push notifications — without requiring submission to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

## What is a PWA?

A PWA is a website that behaves like a native mobile app. When members add it to their home screen:

* It opens full-screen without a browser address bar
* It loads fast with cached content
* It supports push notifications
* It has your custom icon and splash screen
* It works offline for previously loaded content

## Setting up the branded PWA

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open community settings">
    Navigate to **Memberships and Communities > Communities** and open your community settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable the PWA">
    Find the **Mobile App** or **PWA Settings** section and toggle it **ON**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload branding assets">
    Configure the app's appearance:

    * **App name** — the name that appears under the home screen icon
    * **App icon** — a square image (512 x 512 px recommended) used as the home screen icon
    * **Splash screen** — the loading screen shown when the app opens
    * **Theme color** — the color of the status bar and app header
    * **Background color** — the splash screen background color
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and publish">
    Click **Save**. The PWA is now available — members can install it from their browser.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## How members install the PWA

Members add the PWA to their home screen from the community portal:

1. Open the community URL in their mobile browser (Chrome on Android, Safari on iOS).
2. The browser prompts them to **Add to Home Screen** (or they can do it from the browser's share menu).
3. The app icon appears on their home screen.
4. Tapping the icon opens the community in full-screen app mode.

<Tip>
  Include a "Download the app" banner or instruction in your welcome email and community onboarding post. Many members do not know they can install a PWA unless you tell them how.
</Tip>

## Push notifications

Once the PWA is installed, members can receive push notifications for:

* New posts in their joined groups
* Comments and replies on their posts
* New events and event reminders
* Direct messages from other members
* Admin announcements

Members manage their notification preferences from the community settings panel inside the app.

## PWA vs native app

| Feature                | PWA                                   | Native app (App Store)                    |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Distribution**       | Install from browser — no app store   | Requires Apple/Google review and approval |
| **Update process**     | Automatic — always the latest version | Requires app store update submission      |
| **Push notifications** | Supported (limited on iOS)            | Full support                              |
| **Offline access**     | Partial — cached content only         | Full offline capabilities                 |
| **Home screen icon**   | Yes                                   | Yes                                       |
| **Development cost**   | None — built into the platform        | Significant custom development            |
| **App store presence** | No listing in app stores              | Listed and discoverable                   |

## Limitations

* **iOS push notifications** — Safari on iOS has limited PWA push notification support compared to Android
* **App store discovery** — PWAs are not listed in the Apple App Store or Google Play, so members must visit your URL to install
* **Hardware access** — PWAs have limited access to device features like camera, Bluetooth, or NFC compared to native apps
* **Offline functionality** — only previously loaded content is available offline; new content requires an internet connection

<Note>
  The PWA is powered by the same community portal URL your members already use. Enabling the PWA does not change the desktop experience — it enhances the mobile experience by adding app-like features.
</Note>