How to Launch a PWA from an iOS 18+ Lock Screen Shortcut for Distraction-Free Access

Why use a Lock Screen Shortcut for PWAs on iOS?

With the iOS 18 update, Apple now allows custom lock screen shortcuts—making it easier than ever to quickly access Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) like Scrawl It without distractions. I initially downloaded Scrawl It as a PWA to use it on my phone when I wasn’t on my laptop, but having to unlock my phone and navigate to the app often led me to get sidetracked by other apps. Now, with a lock screen shortcut, I can launch Scrawl It right from the lock screen, minimizing distractions and staying focused!

Quick Guide: Setting Up a Lock Screen Shortcut for PWAs on iOS 18+

Prerequisites

• Apple’s Shortcuts app
• iOS 18+

Install the PWA to your device.

1. Navigate to the webpage on Safari that you would like to add as a PWA to your iPhone.
2. Click the share icon.
3. Click “Add to Home Screen”
4. Name it whatever you want it to appear as on your device and confirm.

Add a shortcut to open the PWA in Apple’s Shortcuts app.

You can download the premade shortcut here if you don’t want to create the shortcut yourself.

1. Open the shortcuts app and click “Add New”.
2. Name the shortcut something you’ll remember.
3. Add an Open URLs action.
4. To open the PWA, prefix your link with webapp:// so for Scrawl It it is webapp://https://app.scrawlit.com.
5. Save the shortcut

Add a new shortcut to your lock screen.

Adding a shortcut to your Lock Screen requires overriding either the camera or flashlight shortcut. If you don’t want access to the shortcut all of the time, then I would recommend setting up a Lock Screen that is specifically for specific focus times.

1. While on your lock screen, press and hold the screen to open the lock screen picker.
2. Tap customize on the lock screen you would like to add the shortcut to.
3. Remove either the flashlight or camera shortcut from the bottom left or right corner.
4. Click the plus icon.
5. Search for the Shortcut control. Make sure you choose Shortcut not Open App
6. In the next dialog, pick the shortcut that you just created.
7. Save the changes you made to your lock screen by clicking done.
8. And Voila, you can now launch Scrawl It (or any PWA) from your lock screen by pressing and holding the shortcut.

Benefits Recap

• Instant distraction-free access to Scrawl It
• Saves time by launching directly from the lock screen
• Optimizes productivity by avoiding other app notifications and potential distractions

Ready to try distraction-free writing? Set up your Scrawl It shortcut today and let us know how it helps keep you focused!