Google Chrome’s beta channel has introduced a feature that lets users turn almost any web page into a Progressive Web App (PWA). The discovery came from a user who found a new option labeled “Set Page as Application” within the Save and Share menu, signaling an experimental step toward tighter OS integration for web content.
Right now, this capability is visible to Chrome Canary 124 testers. To activate it, users must enable two experimental flags: chrome://flags/#web-app-universal-install and chrome://flags/#shortcuts. A separate flag—also related to app behavior—may need adjustment depending on platform and build. This setup mirrors Google’s broader effort to shift away from traditional Chrome apps in favor of PWAs that behave more like native software, delivering deeper system integration and a smoother, more cohesive user experience across devices. Some major services, including video and community platforms, already support PWA installation, offering a faster, offline-accessible entry point for users who prefer a more app-like feel.
As of this writing, the stable Chrome release sits at version 122, with the forthcoming Chrome 123 anticipated to bring notable Android-inspired enhancements to desktop, such as a redesigned PDF viewer for Android, a media playback interface aligned with Android standards, and improved tab-group sharing capabilities. These incremental updates reflect a continued push toward unified experiences that blur the line between web content and installed apps.
Earlier reports noted that Chrome might introduce a shortcut to exit full-screen mode using the Escape key, a small quality-of-life improvement aimed at reducing friction during immersive browsing. This is part of a broader pattern where Chrome experiments with user flows designed to streamline interaction and reduce the friction between web pages and application-like behavior.