Automatically start PWAs on OS Login

Installed PWAs can now be configured to run on login.

Adriana Jara

Run on login lets the user choose which applications start automatically when they first log into their computer. This ability has been available in many operating systems for a long time, but was reserved for platform specific applications. Now it is available for installed web applications too.

Save users time

Users want to automatically run a set of applications they always use. Typical examples include high-engagement applications like email clients, chat apps, monitoring dashboards, and real-time data display apps, to name just a few.

Auto-starting these apps at login streamlines the user experience by saving users from having to find these apps to launch in menus.

Which applications the user wants to start automatically will vary from user to user. That is why it is important that installed web applications have this ability as well.

Add a PWA to run on login

Run on login is available in Chrome 91 or Edge 91 or later, on Windows, Linux, and MacOS. To configure an app to run on login, visit about://apps, right click on the app you want, and select 'Start app when you sign in'.

Note: Currently there is no configuration that developers can use to enable run on login from their apps. We are researching a way to implement this functionality in the future.

Run on login is a useful step in giving users a web experience that is truly integrated on their choice of operating system. Developers can add the steps above to their UI to encourage users to enable their apps to start automatically on login.

Photo by Lauren Mancke on Unsplash