Outlook on the web takes a step closer to becoming a PWA

Outlook.com (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

Outlook on the web is on its way to becoming a progressive web app.
One person on the web spotted an install button while using the site.
Outlook.com's manifest file also shows that it's becoming a PWA.

Microsoft continues to embrace progressive web apps. The next Microsoft service to convert to a web app might be Outlook.com (via Thurrott.com). A person named Nick DeLena spotted an install button for Outlook.com while using the site in the Brave browser. At the moment, Outlook.com can't be installed through other browsers like the Chromium version of Microsoft Edge.

Paul Thurrot looked through Outlook.com's site manifest, which repeatedly includes "pwa/v1." I didn't see an install button when I opened up Outlook.com in Microsoft Edge Beta. Similarly, Thurrott found that despite having the manifest file, his browser could not find a matching service worker.

While Outlook.com is inching towards becoming a progressive web app, it lacks offline use right now. For the web version of Outlook to compete with the Windows 10 Mail app, it needs to gain several features.

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 930, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.