Optimizing My Favicon for PWA and Web Applications
A Step-by-Step Journey
Introduction
In this article, I will walk you through my experience optimizing Progressive Web App (PWA) icons for a project built with React v18 and Next.js v14. If you’re working with these technologies, this guide will provide practical insights into configuring a PWA with properly optimized icons, including handling Android-specific nuances like maskable icons and ensuring a high-quality user experience across platforms. Whether you’re deploying your app with Vercel or another hosting platform, the lessons learned from this project will help you avoid common pitfalls and get your PWA looking sharp on all devices.
The Problem: A Blurry and Incomplete Favicon
It all started when I installed my website as an app on Google Chrome. The favicon that worked fine in browser tabs appeared blurry and clipped when viewed as an app icon, see image below. This prompted me to investigate how favicons work across different platforms, especially in PWAs, where high-resolution icons are essential for a polished user experience.
