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Installing the app

Openbeehive is a Progressive Web App (PWA). That means you do not need an app store, a download or an account just to get started. You open it in your browser and, with a single tap, add it to your device so it behaves like any other app: its own icon, a full-screen window and full offline support.

Installing is optional but recommended. Once installed, the app launches instantly, hides the browser address bar, and keeps your records available even when you are out at the apiary with no signal.

What you get by installing​

  • An app icon on your home screen or in your app launcher.
  • A full-screen window with no browser chrome, so there is more room for your hives and inspections.
  • Offline-first access. Your records live in a local database on the device and sync in the background. Reads and writes are instant, signal or not. See Offline and sync for how this works.
  • Quick QR scanning. Scanning a hive's QR label opens straight into the installed app at that hive.
tip

You can keep using Openbeehive in a normal browser tab without installing. The features are the same; installing just makes it feel like a native app and is handier in the field.

Installing on iPhone and iPad (Safari)​

  1. Open Safari and go to app.openbeehive.org.
  2. Tap the Share button (the square with an upward arrow).
  3. Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen.
  4. Adjust the name if you like, then tap Add.

The Openbeehive icon now sits on your home screen. Launch it from there to get the full-screen, offline experience.

note

On iOS the install option lives in Safari's Share menu. Other browsers on iPhone and iPad cannot install web apps, so use Safari for this step.

Installing on Android (Chrome)​

  1. Open Chrome and go to app.openbeehive.org.
  2. Tap the menu (three dots) in the top-right corner.
  3. Tap Install app (or Add to Home screen).
  4. Confirm by tapping Install.

You may also see a prompt or banner offering to install Openbeehive directly. Tapping it does the same thing.

Installing on desktop (Chrome, Edge, and others)​

On most desktop browsers, an install icon appears at the right-hand end of the address bar when you visit the app.

  1. Go to app.openbeehive.org.
  2. Click the install icon in the address bar (it often looks like a small monitor or a downward arrow into a tray).
  3. Click Install to confirm.

If you do not see the icon, open the browser menu and look for Install Openbeehive or Apps -> Install this site as an app. The app then opens in its own window and appears alongside your other applications.

PlatformBrowserWhere to find the install option
iOS / iPadOSSafariShare menu -> Add to Home Screen
AndroidChromeMenu (three dots) -> Install app
Windows / LinuxChrome / EdgeInstall icon in the address bar
macOSChrome / EdgeInstall icon in the address bar
macOSSafariFile -> Add to Dock

Installing a self-hosted instance​

If you run your own Openbeehive server, the app installs in exactly the same way. Just point your browser at your server's own address instead of the hosted service, then follow the same steps above for your platform.

For example, open your instance at its BEEHIVE_PUBLIC_BASE_URL (such as https://bees.example.com) and use Add to Home Screen or the browser's install option. The installed app then talks to your server, and your records stay on your own infrastructure.

caution

For installation to work smoothly, a self-hosted instance should be served over HTTPS with a valid certificate. Most browsers only offer PWA install on secure origins. See Reverse proxy for how to put TLS in front of your server.

If you self-host, the Self-hosting section walks through deployment, configuration and backups.

Updating the app​

The PWA updates itself. When a new version is published, the app fetches it in the background and applies it the next time you launch or reload. You do not need to reinstall. If you ever want to be sure you are on the latest version, fully close the app and open it again.

Removing the app​

Uninstalling the PWA removes only the app shortcut and its local cache; it does not delete records that have already synced to the server. To uninstall:

  • iOS / Android: press and hold the icon, then choose Remove or Uninstall.
  • Desktop: open the app, then use its window menu (or the browser's app settings) and choose Uninstall.
caution

If you have records that have not yet synced when you uninstall, they live only in the device's local database and may be lost. Make sure the app has synced before removing it. See Offline and sync.

A note on native apps​

Openbeehive is a PWA first, and for almost everyone the installed PWA is indistinguishable from a native app. A native wrapper (using Capacitor) for the Apple App Store and Google Play is being considered for a future release, mainly to reach people who prefer the stores. The PWA will remain the primary way to install and will keep all of its offline-first capabilities.