Installing the Shorewatch App
The Shorewatch App is effectively a webpage which can also be saved as a 'progressive web application' (PWA) on the homescreen of a mobile device or desktop of a traditional computer. This means that, unlike a website, it is able to operate without a network connection - when you're at a remote Shorewatch site! - and it has a faster response time even when your connection is slow.
Once you have installed the App, it will look and feel like any other app on your device: you won't see an address bar and it will have access to the phones other capabilities like the camera and location. However, you do not need to install the App to use it, you can also follow the link like any other normal website.
**Important: there are some limitations on the browsers you can use to install the App and these are vary by device so please find the instructions below which relate to the type of device you will be using.
Once you've installed the app, you may want to watch some of these 'how to' videos to get a feel for the app!
Although it is possible to use MS Edge and Firefox to run PWAs on Android, the integration with the Operating System is not as good as with Chrome. When these are used, they create special browser links on the Home screen, rather than an App. For that reason it is recommended to use Chrome.
On iOS and iPadOS, the App is only installable if you are using Safari. You can not use different browsers, such as Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.
Please note that on these devices, the files are cached on the device for only about 2 weeks after the last use, before they are removed: the App placeholder stays in place, but everything has to be re-downloaded by reopening the App it whilst connected to the network. It is therefore recommended that before going to carry out a Shorewatch, you open the App whilst connected to the internet.
If the camera and location setting functions cease to operate normally, check that the permissions settings detailed in the first three steps below have not been reset. If they have, set them again.
Firefox currently does not allow itself to be used to install a PWA on a traditional desktop/laptop computer without a separate plug-in. Please use either of the two browsers below instead.
Firefox currently does not allow itself to be used to install a PWA on a traditional desktop/laptop computer without a separate plug-in. Please use either of the two browsers below instead.
In addition, the default Safari also can not be used to install a PWA on a MacOs device.