Google has finally launched Android Instant Apps on the Play Store. While there are only a few apps available right now, Google will keep adding more in the future. You might be wondering what are android instant apps? How to use them? Well, here’s what it is:
Instant Apps
Instant apps are the future. With instant apps, you don’t need to download anything. Instant apps are the same as normal apps with only one difference; they don’t need to be installed. They are available on the web in form of web pages. In order to access them, you have to go to the website and use them there. Once you exit the browser, the app gets disconnected too. In other words, instant apps are web apps with the speed and power of native apps.
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More like demo apps
Instant applications are more like the demo version of an original application. The developer might give users access to only one portion of the app so they can take a look at what they’re going to buy. Although these apps might have the Sign Up and other essential features, they do not possess all the functionalities of the original app.
Are these available offline?
Instant apps are available on the web. As you don’t need to download them, using them surely requires an internet connection.
Compatibility
According to developers at Google, instant apps are compatible with every phone going back to the Jelly Bean version of Android. However, some phones might not be able to display them.
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How to use them?
To use instant apps, you have to enable them for your account on your phone. In order to do that, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings
- Locate Google Account settings
- Scroll down to the ‘Instant Apps’ option.
- Click the prompt displaying ‘YES, I’M IN’.
The difference
The main difference between an instant app and a non-instant one is that the former opens in a web browser window. When you click on an instant app link, the address bar will disappear leaving you with the app interface only. Moreover, you will see a link somewhere in the instant app which will lead you to the download page for the full version of the app.
Are they ‘Share-able’?
Different apps have different shareable content. In general, content from instant apps is totally shareable if the app provides a share button. For example, if you’re using the Buzzfeed instant app and you want to share an article with a friend, your friend will be given a link to that page which will open even if he doesn’t have the Buzzfeed app installed. Pretty neat, right?
Where to find them?
It’s simple, Google it! If you’re in search of an instant app, head over to the Google search engine. Type in the name of the app you’re looking for followed by the keyword, ‘instant app’ and if an instant version of that app is available, you will see it.
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You can also search for the app on the Play Store. If you visit the app page of fan app which has an instant version, a ‘Try Now’ button will appear. You can tap on it to check out the app without downloading it.
Here’s a list of current instant apps available on the Play Store:
- Hollar
- Skyscanner
- NYTimes Crossword
- BuzzFeed News
- Onefootball Live Soccer Scores
- Red Bull TV
- Dotloop
- Share The Meal
Instant apps history
You can look at your previously used instant apps by heading over to your Google Account settings and then navigating to the instant apps page. There you will see a list of your previously used instant apps.
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