Web App File Handling

Web App File Handling allows installed web apps to register as file handlers with the operating system for specific MIME types and file extensions (specified via the file_handlers member of the Web App Manifest).

When a user opens a supported file from their file manager, the OS launches the associated PWA and delivers the file handle(s) to the application's JavaScript launchQueue.

Platform Implementations

• Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS):

  • Managed by OsIntegrationManager and WebAppFileHandlerManager.
  • Prompts the user with a permission confirmation dialog before opening files on launch (FileHandlerLaunchDialogView).
  • For OS-level registration details, see OS Integration Guide.

• Android (TWAs / WebAPKs):

  • Handled via Android intent filters and verified through Digital Asset Links (DAL).
  • For routing and launch parameter queuing across the JNI boundary, see TWA Launch Parameters Handling.

Web Standards & Explainers

• W3C File Handling Explainer
• web.dev: Let installed web applications be file handlers