IOS 26, currently in beta version, offers you two separate ways to add websites to the home screen of your iPhone – as web support or traditional bookmarks. They can be similar at first glance, but the choice of the right option can considerably improve how you access your favorite sites.
Understand the difference
When you add a website to your home screen via the Safari’s “Add to the Home Screen” option, iOS 26 automatically detects if the site supports the Progressive Web App (PWA). Web applications run almost as native applications, with features such as offline access, push notifications and a rationalized interface without the Safari address bar. On the other hand, traditional bookmarks simply open the website in Safari when used.
This choice is more important than you think. Web applications can offer a faster experience and more similar to applications, while bookmarks work better for information sites that you only visit occasionally.
Add a web application or a bookmark to the home screen
If a website supports the PWA functionality, iOS 26 will automatically offer the web application option when you try to add it to your home screen.
- Open Safari and access the website you want to add.
- Press the three points to the right of the Safari address bar, then press Share In the context menu.
- Scroll down and press Add to the home screen.
- If the site supports web applications, you will see the Opened as a web application Turn into the dialog – turn it off if you want a bookmark.
- Personalize the application name if you wish, then press Add.
Web applications appear on your home screen with a dedicated icon, and type it will launch the site in its own window without the safari browser interface. The bookmarks are displayed with a generic website icon or the site favicon, and supporting them open the page in Safari.
Delete the bookpart or web application from the home screen
Web applications and bookmarks can be deleted from the home screen, just like any other application. To delete one or the other type, press the icon for a long time on your home screen, then press delete the bookmark (for any reason, iOS does not differentiate the type in this menu).
IOS 26 and iPados 26 are ready for a general version in September 2025.
