Adding a web app or bookmark to your iPhone home screen in iOS 26 makes it easier to access your favorite websites with a single tap. Instead of opening Safari and typing in the URL each time, you can pin a site directly to your home screen, where it appears alongside your apps. This feature is especially useful for frequently visited sites, web-based tools, or apps that do not have a dedicated App Store version.
When launched from the home screen, the site opens in a standalone window without Safari’s interface, providing a more seamless experience. Bookmarks and web apps can also be moved into folders, placed in the dock, or customized with Focus modes for quick access.
Here is how to add a web app or bookmark to your iPhone home screen in iOS 26:
- Open Safari and navigate to the website you want to add.
- Tap the three dots to the right of the Safari address bar. In the pop-up menu, tap Share.
- Scroll down and select Add to Home Screen.
- If the site supports web apps, you will see an Open as Web App toggle. Leave it on to install as a standalone web app, or switch it off if you prefer a bookmark that opens in Safari.
- Customize the app or bookmark name if needed. Tap Add in the top right corner.
- The icon will appear on your home screen. A web app opens in its own window without Safari’s interface, while a bookmark simply launches Safari with the page.
When opened from the home screen, the site runs in its own window, separate from Safari tabs. This ensures a more immersive experience, and if the website is designed as a progressive web app, it can even support features like offline access and background syncing. If you want to remove it later, simply press and hold the icon, then choose Delete Bookmark or Remove App, depending on how the site is configured.
This method works on both iPhone and iPad running iOS 26, and it is particularly useful for turning any website into a dedicated shortcut. Whether you use it for news, project management tools, or quick access to your favorite blog, adding web apps or bookmarks to the home screen ensures that the sites you rely on most are always just one tap away.
