Not gonna lie, I didn't even know this was a thing.
this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2025
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fair it was basically worthless
It was stupid from day one. 🤷
"Instant apps" = PWAs?
No they are (were) an actual native Android apps that install automatically without needing to go through Google play. They have a much tighter sandbox and restricted access to system APIs as a safety measure.
No, it was a feature that allowed "streaming" a real android app without needing to install it
So a Java Applet?
From a user experience level, yes it's pretty similar, with the important difference that after fully loading the instant apps were supposed to work as native installed apps.
Well I've never even heard of it so I guess I shouldn't be surprised that it was unsuccessful.
I don't really like it when they kill things but to be fair I had literally never heard of this. I don't think its going to be a big loss.
Does anyone know an example of an instant app? I’d like to see what this is before it gets shut down.
@Skyline Lime had it (probably still has it). I used to rent a Lime scooter just by choosing "try app". I would then enter the scooter code manually, and I could freely ride how much I wanted. It worked all the time. I'm no longer using this feature, as I have a new phone with a bigger storage, where I installed the Uber app, so whenever I would try the same way it would prompt me to use the Uber app to unlock the scooter.
I just tried a bunch of apps that I swear used to have it, it all of them just say "Open in the real app" now. I wonder if low usage here also means developers stopped using them.
Basically what would happen is you'd click a link to Instagram, and instead of opening a web page, it would open the Instagram "app" instantly. If you then tried to do anything more advanced in the app (advanced decided by the developer) it would prompt you to install the app.
I remembered CBC News also had an instant app exactly like you described at one point.
I remember Clash Royale had one where they let you play the tutorial to basically try the game without installing anything.
I believe vimeo used it when you tried to watch a video on their site, it worked well.
I remember some video service using it, Vine I think? Also remember some news sites supporting it but its been far too long since I used chrome lol
What was that instant app?
It was a streamed app you could get from web sites and stuff. It was stupid and made little sense.
Did anything ever come of Apple's weird Instant Apps clone, where you had to scan a QR code in a Starbucks or whatever? 🤔
App Clips. I’ve used these several times to pay for meals at restaurants. Those use Local for Toast. QR code on bill. Scan it. Check the items. Add the tip. Pay with Apple Pay. I eventually installed the app, but I think it still uses the clip interface instead of opening the app. Did it for parking once too, different app. My local Sunoco also has App Clip tags at the pumps, but I don’t need those. Definitely a self-serve deal in my experience. I’d see more if I went out more often.
https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-app-clips-iphb3a73ec53/ios