Web Applications (web apps) are web pages designed to be deployed as self-contained applications. They are typically accessed from outside the browser application and rely on their own dedicated set of navigation controls. While there are few categorical differences between web apps and conventional web pages, Browser 8.5 supports several features essential to their deployment.

The browser's Add to apps feature allows web apps to be installed directly on the Nokia N9 home screen, and replaces a browser-only bookmark filing system. Tapping a home screen icon is the same as traversing a link, and does not open a new browser window by default.

Unlike prior Nokia browsers, Browser 8.5 does not display any buttons at the bottom of the screen that overlay web content. This allows developers to assume greater control over an application's interface and avoid conflicts between web apps and overall browser functionality. Web apps still display a non-overlaying control bar at the top of the screen.

Browser 8.5 fully supports HTML5 features that enable client-cached applications, network-independent offline operation mode, and client-based data storage. (See Offline storage for details.)

See the following sections for more information:

• Porting iPhone web apps for Nokia Browser 8.5 provides recommendations for cross-browser compatibility.
• Configuring web app icons allows you to control how the application appears on the N9 home screen.
• Viewport support details how to use the mobile viewport and related CSS properties to affect layout, scaling, and the appearance of text and images.