Install Sakarto as a PWA: The Native App That's Not an App

You’ve probably used Sakarto in your browser—opened a tab, selected a folder, and cleaned up duplicates. It works great. But what if it could open like a native app? What if it worked offline without even thinking about it? What if it launched in under a second from your taskbar, dock, or home screen?

That’s exactly what the Sakarto Progressive Web App (PWA) does. It’s not a separate download. It’s not an app store installation. It’s the same web app you already use, wrapped in a standalone window that feels native on every platform—Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It installs in under a second, takes up less than 1 MB, and works fully offline once loaded.

If you’ve ever wanted Sakarto to feel more like a “real” app without actually installing anything, the PWA is the answer.

What is a Progressive Web App (PWA)?

A Progressive Web App is a website that behaves like a native app. It can be installed on your device, launches in its own window without browser UI, and works offline. It doesn’t require an app store, doesn’t ask for unnecessary permissions, and updates automatically.

Think of it as the best of both worlds:

• Like a website: It’s built with standard web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript). No special SDKs, no platform‑specific code, no app store approval process.
• Like a native app: It has its own icon on your home screen or taskbar, opens in a standalone window, and can work offline.

PWAs have been supported by major browsers since 2018. They’re used by companies like Twitter, Spotify, Uber, and Pinterest to deliver app-like experiences without the friction of app store downloads.

How a PWA works under the hood

PWAs rely on three key technologies:

1. The Service Worker

A service worker is a JavaScript file that runs in the background, independent of your browser tab. It acts as a network proxy, intercepting requests and serving cached responses when you’re offline.

When you first visit Sakarto, the service worker downloads and caches the core assets—HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, and fonts. On subsequent visits, these assets load from the cache instantly, even without an internet connection.

2. The Web App Manifest

The manifest is a JSON file that tells the browser how to display your app when installed. It specifies:

• The app’s name and icon
• The theme and background colors
• Whether it should open in standalone mode (no browser UI)
• Which orientation to use (portrait, landscape, or any)

When you install Sakarto as a PWA, your device reads this manifest and creates a native‑looking app icon and launch experience.

3. HTTPS (Secure Context)

PWAs require a secure connection to work. This ensures that the app and its service worker haven’t been tampered with. Sakarto is served over HTTPS, so the PWA works on all supported devices.

Why Sakarto is a perfect fit for a PWA

Sakarto is an ideal candidate for a PWA because:

• It’s entirely client‑side. All processing happens on your device—there’s no server to talk to, so offline support is natural.
• It’s lightweight. Under 1 MB of core assets, with optional WASM libraries cached on demand.
• It’s privacy‑first. No accounts, no telemetry, no data leaving your machine—installing as a PWA changes none of that.
• It’s cross‑platform. One codebase runs natively on every OS with a modern browser.
• It’s file‑intensive. The File System Access API works the same way in the PWA as in the browser—your files never leave your device.

In short: if you’re a regular Sakarto user, the PWA is the best way to experience it.

How to install Sakarto as a PWA

Installation is platform‑specific, but always takes under 10 seconds. Here’s how to do it on every major device.

Windows, macOS, and Linux — Chrome or Edge (recommended)

Chrome and Edge have the best PWA support on desktop. If you’re using either browser, the install button appears automatically.

1. Open sakarto.com in Chrome 80+ or Edge 80+.
2. Look for the install icon ⊕ on the right side of the address bar. It appears after a few seconds.
3. Click the icon, then click Install in the confirmation popup.
4. Sakarto launches in its own window. Find it in your Start Menu, Dock, or App Launcher next time.

Alternative path: Click the browser menu (⋮ or ⋯) → Save and share (or Apps) → Install page as app → Install.

Tip: If the install icon doesn’t appear, you may have already installed it, or your browser doesn’t support PWAs. Try Chrome or Edge for the best experience.

macOS — Safari 17+

Safari 17+ on macOS supports adding websites to the Dock, which behaves similarly to a PWA.

1. Open sakarto.com in Safari.
2. Go to the File menu.
3. Click Add to Dock.
4. The Sakarto icon appears in your Dock. Click it to launch the app in a standalone window.

Note: Earlier versions of Safari do not support this feature. Use Chrome or Edge for the best PWA experience on macOS.

iOS — Safari only

PWA installation on iOS requires Safari. Chrome and Firefox on iOS cannot install PWAs due to Apple’s browser engine restrictions.

1. Open sakarto.com in Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the Share button (the box with an arrow pointing up) at the bottom of the screen.
3. Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen.
4. Tap Add in the top‑right corner.

The Sakarto icon appears on your home screen. Tap it to launch the app in its own standalone window—no Safari UI, no tabs, just the app.

Tip: If you use Safari on iOS regularly, consider setting Sakarto as a home screen app. It opens instantly and works offline just like any other app.

Android — Chrome recommended

Chrome on Android has the best PWA support. An “Add to Home screen” banner may appear automatically at the bottom of the page.

1. Open sakarto.com in Chrome on Android.
2. If a banner appears at the bottom, tap Install.
3. Alternatively, tap the ⋮ menu → Add to Home screen → Install.
4. Sakarto appears in your app drawer and home screen.

Samsung Internet: Tap the menu icon → Add page to → Home screen.

Other browsers

What works offline

One of the biggest advantages of the PWA is offline support. Once you’ve loaded Sakarto at least once while online, everything works without an internet connection.

Works fully offline without any setup

These features are pure JavaScript and work offline from the very first load:

• All 7 visual algorithms — Color Signature, aHash, BlockHash, dHash, pHash, wHash — pure JS, zero dependencies
• Chromaprint audio — pure JS, no CDN needed
• Media Viewer — browse images, videos, and audio
• Bulk delete, move, and rename
• Side‑by‑side compare and result export
• Reverse image and audio search (using pure JS algorithms)

First load only — then cached forever

Three algorithms use external WASM libraries. Each loads once from a CDN, then the service worker caches them locally forever:

• Essentia HPCP — Essentia.js (~3 MB) from CDN on first use
• Meyda MFCC — Meyda.js (~200 KB) from CDN on first use
• ORB / OpenCV — OpenCV.js (~8 MB) from CDN on first use

Tip: Run each algorithm once while online—it caches and works offline in every future session. If you’re going to be offline for a while, open each tool once before you lose connectivity.

How the PWA updates automatically

When you install Sakarto as a PWA, you never have to manually download updates. The service worker handles everything.

1. Check for updates. Each time you open the app while online, the service worker checks for a new version.
2. Download in the background. If a new version is available, it downloads silently without interrupting you.
3. Notify you. When the update is ready, a small toast notification slides up from the bottom of the screen: “Update available. A new version of Sakarto is ready.”
4. Apply the update. Click Refresh on the notification. The app applies the update and reloads with the new version.

If you don’t click Refresh: The update applies the next time you launch the app. You’ll always get the latest version eventually.

If you’re offline: Updates can’t be checked or downloaded. The app continues to work with the cached version until you’re back online.

How to uninstall Sakarto

Uninstalling is just as easy as installing—and leaves nothing behind on your system.

Windows (Chrome/Edge)

1. Open Chrome or Edge.
2. Click the menu (⋮ or ⋯) → Apps → Manage apps.
3. Find Sakarto in the list.
4. Click ⋮ (or ⋯) → Uninstall (or Remove from Chrome / Remove from Edge).
5. Confirm the uninstallation.

Alternative path: Right‑click the Sakarto icon in your Start Menu (if it appears there) and select Uninstall.

macOS (Chrome/Edge)

1. Open Chrome or Edge.
2. Click the menu (⋯ or ⋯) → Apps → Manage apps.
3. Find Sakarto in the list.
4. Click Remove from Chrome / Remove from Edge.

Alternative path: If Sakarto appears in your Applications folder, drag it to the Trash.

macOS (Safari Add to Dock)

If you installed Sakarto via Safari’s Add to Dock feature:

1. Open Finder.
2. Go to your Applications folder.
3. Find the Sakarto icon.
4. Drag it to the Trash.

iOS

1. Go to your Home Screen.
2. Long‑press the Sakarto icon.
3. Tap Remove App.
4. Tap Delete App to confirm.

Alternative path: Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Find Sakarto → Delete App.

Android

1. Go to your Home Screen.
2. Long‑press the Sakarto icon.
3. Drag to Uninstall or tap App info → Uninstall.
4. Tap OK to confirm.

Note: Uninstalling removes the app icon and cached files. It does not affect any files on your computer—Sakarto never writes to your filesystem. If you re‑install later, the app will start fresh with no saved preferences.

PWA vs. browser: what’s the difference?

Bottom line: The PWA is the same app, just delivered in a more convenient package. All your data, settings, and preferences remain unchanged.

Troubleshooting common issues

The install button doesn’t appear

Possible reasons:

1. You’re using a browser that doesn’t support PWAs. Chrome, Edge, Opera, Brave, Safari 17+ (macOS), Safari iOS 16+, and Chrome Android support PWAs. Firefox does not support PWA installation.
2. The app is already installed. Check your taskbar, dock, or home screen for the Sakarto icon.
3. You previously dismissed the install prompt. Some browsers remember this. Try using the “Alternative path” method in the menu (⋮ → Apps → Install page as app).
4. You’re in incognito or private mode. PWAs cannot be installed in private browsing mode. Switch to a normal window.

The app doesn’t work offline

1. Make sure you’ve loaded the app at least once while online. The service worker needs to cache the assets before offline use.
2. Open each algorithm at least once while online. Essentia, Meyda, and ORB load WASM libraries from CDN on first use. After that, they’re cached.
3. Check your browser’s storage. Some browsers clear service worker caches automatically when storage is low. Clear space if needed.

The update notification keeps appearing

1. Click Refresh to apply the update. The notification will disappear.
2. If it reappears, check that the service worker registered correctly. Open DevTools → Application → Service Workers and look for Sakarto’s SW. If it’s not there, reload the page.

I can’t find Sakarto after installation

1. Check your taskbar, dock, or home screen. On Windows, it’s usually in the Start Menu. On macOS, it’s in the Dock or Applications folder. On iOS and Android, it’s on the home screen.
2. Search your system for “Sakarto”. The app name should appear in search results.
3. On Windows 11, it may be under Start → All apps → Sakarto.

Frequently asked questions

”Does Sakarto work offline?”

Yes. Once installed as a PWA and loaded at least once, Sakarto works fully offline. All 7 visual and 3 audio algorithms run entirely on your device. The only caveat is that Essentia.js, Meyda.js, and OpenCV.js load from a CDN on their very first use—after that they’re cached locally and work offline in every future session.

”Is the Sakarto PWA free?”

Yes, completely free. There are no subscriptions, no premium tiers, no in‑app purchases, and no ads—now or ever.

”Does installing give Sakarto extra access to my files?”

No. The PWA is a shortcut to the same browser‑based app. File access still requires your explicit permission each session via the browser’s File System Access API dialog. Installing the PWA does not grant any persistent or additional file system access.

”How much storage does the PWA use?”

The core app is under 1 MB. After first use, OpenCV.js (~8 MB), Essentia.js (~3 MB), and Meyda.js (~200 KB) are also cached if you’ve used those algorithms. Total cached storage is under 15 MB in the worst case—far less than any native app.

”How do I update Sakarto after installing?”

Updates are fully automatic. The service worker checks for new versions each time you open the app while online. The update downloads silently in the background and applies the next time you launch. A notification banner appears when an update is ready—click Refresh to apply it immediately.

”Can I install Sakarto on Firefox?”

Firefox does not support PWA installation on desktop. However, Sakarto works fully in Firefox—just without a standalone app icon. Bookmark sakarto.com for quick access. All features work normally.

”How do I know if I’m using the PWA or the browser?”

If the app opens in a window without browser tabs, address bar, or bookmarks, you’re using the PWA. The standalone window has a clean, native look that adapts to your OS. You can also check your taskbar, dock, or home screen—the Sakarto icon is there if you’ve installed it.

”What happens to my files if I uninstall Sakarto?”

Nothing. Sakarto never saves or writes to your filesystem unless you explicitly use the File System Access API to delete, move, or rename files. Uninstalling the PWA removes the app icon and cached files—your data and folders are completely untouched.

Final thoughts

The Sakarto PWA is the best way to use Sakarto if you’re a regular user. It launches faster, feels more native, and works offline without any extra effort. It’s free, it’s private, and it takes up almost no space.

It’s particularly useful for:

• Regular cleanup tasks. If you find duplicates every week, the PWA is right there in your taskbar.
• Offline use. When you’re on a plane, in a basement, or anywhere without Wi‑Fi, Sakarto still works.
• A distraction‑free experience. No browser tabs, no address bar—just the tools.

Installing the PWA doesn’t change anything about how Sakarto works. It’s the same app, same privacy, same zero‑network guarantee. It’s just easier to use.

Ready to install Sakarto as a PWA?

• Download the PWA — free, browser‑based, no app store
• Find Duplicate Images & Videos — 7 algorithms to find similar files
• Find Duplicate Audio — 3 algorithms for audio duplicate detection
• Reverse Image & Video Search — upload one reference file and find its copies
• Reverse Audio Search — upload one reference audio and find its copies
• Organize Files — bulk delete, move, and rename
• Media Viewer — browse images and videos without scanning
• Bulk Delete — permanently remove multiple files at once
• Bulk Move — move multiple files to a new subfolder
• Bulk Rename — rename multiple files with patterns and preview