Why SpotSitter Is a PWA (and Why That's Better for Most Families)
Ryan Stempski · May 30, 2026
When you sign up for SpotSitter, there's no App Store download involved. You install it directly from Safari on your iPhone, add it to your home screen, and it works like an app from there. Same on Android.
A few people have asked about this, so here's a straightforward explanation of what a PWA is, why we built SpotSitter this way, and what the practical experience is like.
What "PWA" means in plain terms
PWA stands for Progressive Web App. It's a website that behaves like a native app when you install it. You get a home screen icon, push notifications, and an app-like interface without going through Apple or Google's app stores.
That's the whole thing. No special software. No waiting for Apple to review it. You visit the URL, tap "Add to Home Screen" in Safari, and it installs immediately.
Why we built it this way
Three reasons.
Speed. App Store submissions go through a review process that takes days, sometimes longer if something gets flagged. When we want to ship a fix or add a new restaurant to our watchlist, we ship it. You get the update the next time you open the app. There's no queue.
Access. App Stores have gatekeeping. Products get rejected for reasons that have nothing to do with quality. Building as a PWA means we're not dependent on Apple or Google's approval to reach you.
Cost structure. Apple and Google take 15 to 30 percent of in-app purchase revenue from App Store apps. We'd rather use that to keep pricing reasonable or invest in product. A PWA doesn't pay that fee.
None of this is a knock on native apps as a category. Native apps can do things PWAs can't. But for an alert service like SpotSitter, where the core experience is setting a watch, getting a notification, and tapping through to book, the PWA format works well.
What the install looks like on iPhone
Open SpotSitter in Safari. You'll see a share button in the toolbar (the square with an arrow pointing up). Tap it. Tap "Add to Home Screen." Give it a name if you want, then tap "Add."
The SpotSitter icon appears on your home screen. From there it opens like any other app.
Push notifications work through Safari. When you set up a watch, we'll ask for notification permission. Say yes, or the alerts won't reach you.
What's different from a native app
A few things work differently.
Push notifications on iPhone come through Safari rather than a dedicated notification system. This works, but there are some limits on notification customization that exist in native apps but not in Safari PWAs. For SpotSitter's purposes (sending you a push when a reservation opens), it works as expected.
The app can't run completely in the background the same way a native iOS app can. The monitoring itself runs on our servers, not on your phone. Your phone just receives the notification. So the battery and background-process questions that sometimes come up with monitoring apps don't apply here.
If you clear your Safari history or data, you may need to log back in. This is worth knowing. The install itself stays on your home screen, but app state depends on cookies being intact.
Android install
On Android, Chrome will typically prompt you to install SpotSitter when you visit the site. You can also tap the three-dot menu and select "Add to Home Screen." The install is faster on Android than on iPhone in most cases.
Push notifications work natively on Android for PWAs without the Safari-specific quirks.
A note on iOS notification permission
Safari on iPhone requires an explicit tap from the user to request notification permission. This is different from native apps, which can request it at a more natural moment in the flow.
When you set up your first watch in SpotSitter, you'll get the notification permission prompt. Tap "Allow." Without this, the push notifications won't come through and you'll only receive email alerts.
This is the single most important install step. The monitoring works regardless. The push alert only reaches you if the permission is granted.
If you've installed SpotSitter and push notifications aren't coming through, the most common fix is to check Safari notification settings: Settings → Safari → Notifications → SpotSitter. Make sure notifications are set to "Allow."
For anything else, email us. We're a small team and we'll respond.
SpotSitter is independent and not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company or Disney Parks. We do not store your Disney credentials. Ever.