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'Add to Home Screen' adds an invisible app that can't be opened and prevents reinstallation

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 11 views
  • Last reply by Paul

jlu6fz
jlu6fz
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Phone: Oneplus 8 Android version: 12 Build number: IN2015_11_C.21 Firefox version: 105.1.0

Steps to reproduce: - Open Firefox - Go to a website - Click the triple vertical dots - Add to home screen - Press add - Press add

This bug is still here and ruining the PWA that I made and wanted to install on my phone. The app isn't on the home screen or any of the other screens, but attempts to add it again fail with the message "This shortcut already exists".

How do I remove these invisible shortcuts? Can I do this through the file explorer? If not, can this be fixed?

Also please let me know if a video reproducing this issue would be helpful. I can reliably reproduce it every time.

Phone: Oneplus 8 Android version: 12 Build number: IN2015_11_C.21 Firefox version: 105.1.0 Steps to reproduce: - Open Firefox - Go to a website - Click the triple vertical dots - Add to home screen - Press add - Press add This bug is still here and ruining the PWA that I made and wanted to install on my phone. The app isn't on the home screen or any of the other screens, but attempts to add it again fail with the message "This shortcut already exists". How do I remove these invisible shortcuts? Can I do this through the file explorer? If not, can this be fixed? Also please let me know if a video reproducing this issue would be helpful. I can reliably reproduce it every time.

All Replies (3)

jlu6fz
jlu6fz Question owner
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Even just a list of installed shortcuts that have an option to delete would be fine. If the user tries to drag the app during installation, it will show up properly. However if you go with the second 'Add' button, it will just show your home screen with no app. Currently there is no way to get rid of the invisible app and this also prevents you from re-installing the app. You are just stuck not being able to install the app anymore.

Paul
Paul
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Hi

What is the address of the site you wish to add as a shortcut?

What is the address of the site that you have added as a PWA?

jlu6fz
jlu6fz Question owner
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Paul said
Hi What is the address of the site you wish to add as a shortcut? What is the address of the site that you have added as a PWA?

I tried https://6notes.github.io/dendronFrontmatterGen/ . In my previous question I tried a different URL and had the exact same problem. I doubt it's URL specific, more of a UI issue or something.

I think the root of the problem is that when you add a site to the home screen by pressing the add button twice, there is no UI to place your app on the screen, but it lists it as a site you have an app for. Therefore you have no way to remove it as a site that you have an app for, but also no way to access that app.

Just a simple list of the apps you have installed and a way to delete an individual site would be enough. Or perhaps disable the add button until it's fixed. I'm not sure of the status of this bug on other android versions, but I imagine if it's the same, then the button does more harm than good. It's the second add button on the modal that pops up iwth the option to drag the app.

Modified by jlu6fz