Installing Buddies on the Green - PWA Guide

Learn how to install Buddies on the Green as a Progressive Web App (PWA) on your mobile device for the best experience.

What is a PWA?

A Progressive Web App allows you to install Buddies on the Green on your phone like a native app, giving you:

Home screen icon - Quick access from your home screen
Full-screen experience - No browser UI, just the app
Offline scoring - Enter scores without internet connection
Push notifications - Get notified about buddy activity and messages
Faster loading - Improved performance and instant loading

Installing on iPhone (iOS)

Requirements

iPhone with iOS 11.3 or later to install the app (iOS 16.4+ is required for push notifications)
Safari works on every iOS version. Chrome and Edge can install too on iOS 16.4 and later.
Links opened inside Instagram, Facebook or X can't be installed from there. Open the page in Safari first.

Easiest way: let the app show you

Tap Install anywhere on the site: the banner at the top of the home page, the Install button in the header, or Install App in the footer. A short guide pops up that shows the exact buttons to tap in the browser you're using, with an arrow pointing to where they are. On the Install page, tap Show me where to tap.

Installation steps (Safari on iOS 26 and later)

Open Safari and go to buddiesonthegreen.com
Tap the ••• button in the toolbar
Tap Share, then View More
Tap "Add to Home Screen", then Add
Find the app icon on your home screen

Installation steps (older iOS, or Chrome)

Tap the Share button (square with an arrow pointing up). In Safari it's in the toolbar; in Chrome it's at the top right, in the address bar
Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen"
Edit the name if desired (default: "Buddies on the Green")
Tap "Add" in the top right corner
Find the app icon on your home screen

Opening the PWA

Tap the app icon from your home screen
App opens in full-screen mode (no Safari UI)
Works just like a native app!

Installing on Android

Requirements

Android device with Chrome browser
Chrome version 72 or later

Installation Steps

Method 1: One-tap install (fastest)

Visit buddiesonthegreen.com in Chrome
Tap any Install button: the green "Install Buddies on the Green" banner at the top of the home page, the Install chip in the header (when you're signed out), or Install App in the footer
Chrome opens its install window. Tap Install
The app icon is added to your home screen

Chrome may also show its own "Install app" bar at the bottom of the screen after you've browsed a little. Tapping that works too. If an Install button takes you to a page of instructions instead of opening the install window, Chrome isn't offering one-tap install right now; use Method 2.

Method 2: Manual Installation

Open Chrome and go to buddiesonthegreen.com
Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right
Tap "Add to Home screen" or "Install app"
Edit the name if desired
Tap "Add"
App icon appears on home screen

Opening the PWA

Tap the app icon from your home screen or app drawer
App opens in full-screen mode
Completely separate from Chrome browser

Troubleshooting

iPhone Issues

"Add to Home Screen" Option is Missing

Problem: Can't find the "Add to Home Screen" option in Safari.

Solutions:

Use Safari: Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers don't support PWA installation on iOS - you must use Safari
Update iOS: Make sure you're running iOS 11.3 or later
Check Share Menu: The option is in the Share menu (square with up arrow), not the ⋯ menu

iCloud Private Relay Blocking Access

Problem: App won't load or shows "Site is blocked" message.

Why This Happens: iCloud Private Relay (a privacy feature that masks your IP address) can interfere with Firebase Authentication and real-time database connections.

Solution 1 - Disable Private Relay (Recommended):

Open iPhone Settings
Tap your name at the top
Tap iCloud
Tap Private Relay
Toggle OFF Private Relay
- OR tap "Turn Off for This Network" (affects only current WiFi)
Return to Safari and reload the app

Solution 2 - Use Different Browser:

iCloud Private Relay only affects Safari
Install Chrome or Firefox from the App Store
Use Buddies on the Green in that browser
The app will work normally without needing to disable Private Relay

Note: This issue only affects iPhone users with iCloud+ who have enabled Private Relay. Most users won't encounter this problem.

Screen Still Dims During Rounds

Problem: Screen locks/dims even though Wake Lock should keep it on.

Causes:

Wake Lock requires iOS 16.4 or later
Low Power Mode may override Wake Lock
App must be in focus/foreground

Solutions:

Update to iOS 16.4 or later
Disable Low Power Mode during rounds
Keep the app in foreground (don't switch to other apps)
As backup: Increase screen auto-lock time in Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock

Android Issues

Install Prompt Doesn't Appear

Problem: No "Add to Home screen" option or install banner.

Solutions:

Use Chrome: Other browsers may not support PWA installation
Visit Multiple Times: Chrome shows the prompt after you've engaged with the site
Clear Browser Data: Settings → Apps → Chrome → Storage → Clear Cache
Check Chrome Version: Update to Chrome 72 or later

Offline Scoring Not Working

Problem: Can't enter scores when offline.

Check:

Make sure you installed as PWA (not just using in browser)
Check that you gave Storage permission when prompted
Verify you have some available storage space on device

Solutions:

Re-install the PWA: Remove from home screen and install again
Clear app data: Long-press app icon → App info → Storage → Clear data
Check available storage: Settings → Storage

Location/GPS Issues

Location Permission Request Not Appearing

Problem: App doesn't ask for location permission when starting a round.

Solutions:

Check Browser Permissions:
- iOS: Settings → Safari → Location → While Using the App
- Android: Settings → Apps → Chrome → Permissions → Location
Enable Device GPS: Settings → Privacy (iOS) or Location (Android)
Reload the App: Close completely and reopen

Inaccurate GPS Positioning

Problem: Distance measurements seem incorrect.

Causes:

GPS works best outdoors with clear sky view
Takes 30-60 seconds to acquire accurate position
Tall buildings or trees reduce accuracy

Solutions:

Wait for GPS to fully acquire signal (watch accuracy indicator)
Move to open area with clear sky view
Ensure Location Services are set to "High Accuracy" (Android)

Push Notifications Not Working

Not Receiving Notifications

Problem: Missing notifications for buddy requests, messages, or round updates.

Check Permissions:

iOS — two things are required before notifications can work at all:

iOS 16.4 or later. Earlier versions cannot receive web notifications.
The app must be installed to your Home Screen (see the install steps above). Notifications never arrive in a plain Safari tab, no matter what you allow in Settings.

Then: open the installed app, allow notifications when prompted, and check Do Not Disturb is off.

Android:

Settings → Apps → Chrome → Notifications → Enable
Settings → Apps → Buddies on the Green (if installed as PWA) → Notifications → Enable
Check Do Not Disturb is off

Re-enable Notifications:

Open the installed app
Go to Profile → Edit Profile → the Push Notifications section
Toggle notifications off, then back on
Accept the permission prompt again

Uninstalling the PWA

iPhone

Long-press the app icon on home screen
Tap "Remove App"
Select "Delete App"
Confirm deletion

Android

Long-press the app icon
Tap "Uninstall" or drag to "Remove" at top of screen
Confirm uninstallation

Note: You can always reinstall by following the installation steps again. Your account data is stored in the cloud and won't be lost.

Getting Help

If you're still experiencing issues:

Check our FAQ: Visit buddiesonthegreen.com/help
Contact Support: Email support@buddiesonthegreen.com
Use AI Chat: Tap the chat icon in the app for instant help

Why Install as PWA?

Performance Benefits:

Faster loading times
Smoother animations
Instant app launching

Offline Capabilities:

Enter scores without internet
Auto-sync when connection returns
Never lose your data

Native App Experience:

Full-screen interface
Home screen icon
Push notifications
Background sync

No App Store Required:

No download from App Store/Play Store
Instant updates (no manual updating)
Same experience on all devices

All guides

Installing Buddies on the Green - PWA Guide

Learn how to install Buddies on the Green as a Progressive Web App (PWA) on your mobile device for the best experience.

What is a PWA?

A Progressive Web App allows you to install Buddies on the Green on your phone like a native app, giving you:

Home screen icon - Quick access from your home screen
Full-screen experience - No browser UI, just the app
Offline scoring - Enter scores without internet connection
Push notifications - Get notified about buddy activity and messages
Faster loading - Improved performance and instant loading

Installing on iPhone (iOS)

Requirements

iPhone with iOS 11.3 or later to install the app (iOS 16.4+ is required for push notifications)
Safari works on every iOS version. Chrome and Edge can install too on iOS 16.4 and later.
Links opened inside Instagram, Facebook or X can't be installed from there. Open the page in Safari first.

Easiest way: let the app show you

Installation steps (Safari on iOS 26 and later)

Open Safari and go to buddiesonthegreen.com
Tap the ••• button in the toolbar
Tap Share, then View More
Tap "Add to Home Screen", then Add
Find the app icon on your home screen

Installation steps (older iOS, or Chrome)

Tap the Share button (square with an arrow pointing up). In Safari it's in the toolbar; in Chrome it's at the top right, in the address bar
Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen"
Edit the name if desired (default: "Buddies on the Green")
Tap "Add" in the top right corner
Find the app icon on your home screen

Opening the PWA

Tap the app icon from your home screen
App opens in full-screen mode (no Safari UI)
Works just like a native app!

Installing on Android

Requirements

Android device with Chrome browser
Chrome version 72 or later

Installation Steps

Method 1: One-tap install (fastest)

Visit buddiesonthegreen.com in Chrome
Tap any Install button: the green "Install Buddies on the Green" banner at the top of the home page, the Install chip in the header (when you're signed out), or Install App in the footer
Chrome opens its install window. Tap Install
The app icon is added to your home screen

Method 2: Manual Installation

Open Chrome and go to buddiesonthegreen.com
Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right
Tap "Add to Home screen" or "Install app"
Edit the name if desired
Tap "Add"
App icon appears on home screen

Opening the PWA

Tap the app icon from your home screen or app drawer
App opens in full-screen mode
Completely separate from Chrome browser

Troubleshooting

iPhone Issues

"Add to Home Screen" Option is Missing

Problem: Can't find the "Add to Home Screen" option in Safari.

Solutions:

Use Safari: Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers don't support PWA installation on iOS - you must use Safari
Update iOS: Make sure you're running iOS 11.3 or later
Check Share Menu: The option is in the Share menu (square with up arrow), not the ⋯ menu

iCloud Private Relay Blocking Access

Problem: App won't load or shows "Site is blocked" message.

Why This Happens: iCloud Private Relay (a privacy feature that masks your IP address) can interfere with Firebase Authentication and real-time database connections.

Solution 1 - Disable Private Relay (Recommended):

Open iPhone Settings
Tap your name at the top
Tap iCloud
Tap Private Relay
Toggle OFF Private Relay
- OR tap "Turn Off for This Network" (affects only current WiFi)
Return to Safari and reload the app

Solution 2 - Use Different Browser:

iCloud Private Relay only affects Safari
Install Chrome or Firefox from the App Store
Use Buddies on the Green in that browser
The app will work normally without needing to disable Private Relay

Note: This issue only affects iPhone users with iCloud+ who have enabled Private Relay. Most users won't encounter this problem.

Screen Still Dims During Rounds

Problem: Screen locks/dims even though Wake Lock should keep it on.

Causes:

Wake Lock requires iOS 16.4 or later
Low Power Mode may override Wake Lock
App must be in focus/foreground

Solutions:

Update to iOS 16.4 or later
Disable Low Power Mode during rounds
Keep the app in foreground (don't switch to other apps)
As backup: Increase screen auto-lock time in Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock

Android Issues

Install Prompt Doesn't Appear

Problem: No "Add to Home screen" option or install banner.

Solutions:

Use Chrome: Other browsers may not support PWA installation
Visit Multiple Times: Chrome shows the prompt after you've engaged with the site
Clear Browser Data: Settings → Apps → Chrome → Storage → Clear Cache
Check Chrome Version: Update to Chrome 72 or later

Offline Scoring Not Working

Problem: Can't enter scores when offline.

Check:

Make sure you installed as PWA (not just using in browser)
Check that you gave Storage permission when prompted
Verify you have some available storage space on device

Solutions:

Re-install the PWA: Remove from home screen and install again
Clear app data: Long-press app icon → App info → Storage → Clear data
Check available storage: Settings → Storage

Location/GPS Issues

Location Permission Request Not Appearing

Problem: App doesn't ask for location permission when starting a round.

Solutions:

Check Browser Permissions:
- iOS: Settings → Safari → Location → While Using the App
- Android: Settings → Apps → Chrome → Permissions → Location
Enable Device GPS: Settings → Privacy (iOS) or Location (Android)
Reload the App: Close completely and reopen

Inaccurate GPS Positioning

Problem: Distance measurements seem incorrect.

Causes:

GPS works best outdoors with clear sky view
Takes 30-60 seconds to acquire accurate position
Tall buildings or trees reduce accuracy

Solutions:

Wait for GPS to fully acquire signal (watch accuracy indicator)
Move to open area with clear sky view
Ensure Location Services are set to "High Accuracy" (Android)

Push Notifications Not Working

Not Receiving Notifications

Problem: Missing notifications for buddy requests, messages, or round updates.

Check Permissions:

iOS — two things are required before notifications can work at all:

iOS 16.4 or later. Earlier versions cannot receive web notifications.
The app must be installed to your Home Screen (see the install steps above). Notifications never arrive in a plain Safari tab, no matter what you allow in Settings.

Then: open the installed app, allow notifications when prompted, and check Do Not Disturb is off.

Android:

Settings → Apps → Chrome → Notifications → Enable
Settings → Apps → Buddies on the Green (if installed as PWA) → Notifications → Enable
Check Do Not Disturb is off

Re-enable Notifications:

Open the installed app
Go to Profile → Edit Profile → the Push Notifications section
Toggle notifications off, then back on
Accept the permission prompt again

Uninstalling the PWA

iPhone

Long-press the app icon on home screen
Tap "Remove App"
Select "Delete App"
Confirm deletion

Android

Long-press the app icon
Tap "Uninstall" or drag to "Remove" at top of screen
Confirm uninstallation

Note: You can always reinstall by following the installation steps again. Your account data is stored in the cloud and won't be lost.

Getting Help

If you're still experiencing issues:

Check our FAQ: Visit buddiesonthegreen.com/help
Contact Support: Email support@buddiesonthegreen.com
Use AI Chat: Tap the chat icon in the app for instant help

Why Install as PWA?

Performance Benefits:

Faster loading times
Smoother animations
Instant app launching

Offline Capabilities:

Enter scores without internet
Auto-sync when connection returns
Never lose your data

Native App Experience:

Full-screen interface
Home screen icon
Push notifications
Background sync

No App Store Required:

No download from App Store/Play Store
Instant updates (no manual updating)
Same experience on all devices