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plyr.fm / docs / research / 2025-12-19-web-share-target-ios-pwa.md
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research: Web Share Target API for iOS PWAs#

date: 2025-12-19 question: can a PWA receive shared audio files from the iOS share sheet (like SoundCloud does)?

summary#

No, iOS Safari does not support Web Share Target API. This is a known limitation with an open WebKit bug (#194593) since February 2019 - no timeline for implementation. Android Chrome fully supports it. The SoundCloud iOS share integration you saw works because SoundCloud has a native iOS app, not a PWA.

findings#

iOS Safari limitations#

  • Web Share Target API (receiving files) - NOT supported
  • Web Share API (sending/sharing out) - supported
  • WebKit bug #194593 tracks this, last activity May 2025, no assignee
  • Apple mandates WebKit for all iOS browsers, so no workaround via Chrome/Firefox
  • This is why plyr.fm can't appear in the iOS share sheet as a destination

Android support#

  • Chrome fully supports Web Share Target since ~2019
  • manifest.json share_target field enables receiving shared files
  • Would work for Android users installing plyr.fm PWA

current plyr.fm state#

  • frontend/static/manifest.webmanifest - basic PWA config, no share_target
  • frontend/src/lib/components/ShareButton.svelte - clipboard copy only
  • no navigator.share() usage (even though iOS supports sharing OUT)

workaround options#

  1. native iOS app - only real solution for iOS share sheet integration
  2. Web Share API for outbound - can add "share to..." button that opens iOS share sheet
  3. improved in-app UX - better upload flow, drag-drop on desktop
  4. PWABuilder wrapper - publish to App Store, gains URL scheme support

code references#

  • frontend/static/manifest.webmanifest - would add share_target here for Android
  • frontend/src/lib/components/ShareButton.svelte:8-15 - current clipboard-only implementation

potential quick wins#

even without iOS share target support:

  1. add navigator.share() for outbound sharing - let users share tracks TO other apps via native share sheet
  2. add share_target for Android users - Android PWA installs would get share sheet integration
  3. improve upload UX - streamline the in-app upload flow for mobile

open questions#

  • is Android share target support worth implementing given iOS is primary user base?
  • would a lightweight native iOS app (just for share extension) be worth maintaining?
  • any appetite for PWABuilder/App Store distribution?

sources#