WebAPK Stub

A lightweight Android bridge application that masquerades as Google Chrome to intercept and redirect WebAPK (Progressive Web App) launches to your preferred third-party browser.

The Problem

WebAPKs are lightweight Android apps generated by browsers like Google Chrome when you "Add to Home Screen." These WebAPKs often have the com.android.chrome package name hardcoded as their runtimeHost. This means that even if you use a different default browser, your installed PWAs might still insist on opening in Chrome.

Ref: "Open WebAPK minting server for third-party browsers [40195497] - Chromium"

The Solution: WebAPK Stub

WebAPK Stub "fakes" being Google Chrome by using the com.android.chrome package name. It implements the necessary intent filters and activity aliases that WebAPKs expect to find in their host browser.

Instead of rendering the web content itself, it captures the launch intent, extracts the target URL and metadata (like standalone mode settings), and forwards them to a browser of your choice.

Features

• Masquerades as Chrome: Uses the com.android.chrome package name to satisfy WebAPK requirements.
• Protocol Support: Handles WebappActivity and WebappLauncherActivity intents.
• Standalone Mode Preservation: Forwards all intent extras to ensure the target browser opens the PWA in standalone/app mode.
• Dynamic Selection: Choose your target browser from a list of installed apps or manually input a package name.
• Privacy Focused: No tracking, no internet permission (for the stub itself), just a simple redirection bridge.

Usage

1. Uninstall Chrome: Since this app uses the same package name, you must uninstall the original Google Chrome. Disabling it is not sufficient for the package name conflict.
2. Install WebAPK Stub: Build and install this APK.
3. Configure: Open "Redirector Settings" from your launcher and select your preferred target browser (e.g., Cromite, Firefox, Edge).
4. Launch PWAs: Tap any installed WebAPK/PWA icon. It will now open seamlessly in your selected browser.

Build Requirements

• Android SDK (compiled with API 34)
• Gradle 8.5+
• Kotlin 1.9.20+

Known Issues

• Home Screen Re-launch Refresh: If a WebAPK is already active (minimized to the background) and you tap the WebAPK icon on your home screen again, the target browser may receive a fresh intent, causing the page to reload. Switching to the WebAPK via the "Recent Apps" menu functions as intended without reloading.
• Browser Compatibility: The target browser must be capable of smoothly managing multiple instances / standalone modes from ACTION_VIEW and WebAPK-styled intents.

Source Code

The "source code" for this project can be found in sourcecode.md.

Disclaimer

Important

This project contains 100% no human code. Every line of code, configuration, and documentation was generated by AI (Antigravity).

License

This project is licensed under the WTFPL - See the LICENSE file for details.

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