How to install Repstack on iPhone (and why you should do it before logging in)

You open Repstack on your iPhone. You sign in. Everything works. Then someone says “add it to your home screen, it’s better.” You do. You open the app from your home screen… and it asks you to sign in again.

It’s not a bug. That’s how iOS works.

Why you should install before signing in

On iPhone, Safari and installed web apps (PWAs) don’t share the same storage. Your cookies, your login token — all of that stays in Safari. The app installed on your home screen is a separate environment.

The result: if you sign in through Safari first, then install, you have to sign in again.

The fix is simple: install the app first, sign in after. One login, and you’re done.

How to install Repstack on iPhone

It takes 30 seconds. You need Safari — this doesn’t work from Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser on iOS.

Step 1: Open Repstack in Safari

Go to app.repstack.io in Safari. Not Chrome, not Firefox. Safari.

If you’re in another browser, copy the URL and paste it into Safari.

It’s the square with an upward arrow, at the bottom of the screen (or top on iPad). Tap it.

Step 3: “Add to Home Screen”

Scroll through the options that appear. You’ll find “Add to Home Screen”. Tap it.

Step 4: Confirm

You can rename the app if you want (defaults to “Repstack”). Tap “Add” in the top right.

Step 5: Open from your home screen

The Repstack icon is now on your home screen. Open it. You’ll see the login screen — sign in, and you’re done. You’ll only need to sign in once.

Why not Chrome or Firefox?

On iOS, Apple requires all browsers to use the WebKit engine (Safari’s engine). But only Safari gives access to the “Add to Home Screen” feature for web apps.

Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and others on iPhone? They don’t offer this option. It’s an Apple limitation, not a Repstack one.

What you get by installing

Once installed, Repstack behaves like a native app:

Full screen — no URL bar, no Safari buttons
Notifications — alerts when your rest is over, even with the screen locked
Home screen icon — direct access, like any other app
Performance — data is cached locally, loads faster
Single login — you stay signed in

FAQ

I already have an account and signed in through Safari. What do I do?

Install the app as described above, open it from your home screen, and sign in again. It’s the last time you’ll have to.

Does the app take up space on my phone?

Barely. It’s a web app, not a 200 MB download from the App Store. The icon and cached data are a few megabytes.

Can I delete the app?

Yes, like any app. Long-press the icon, tap “Delete.” Your account and data stay on the server.

Does it work on iPad?

Yes, same exact process. The share icon is at the top right on iPad instead of the bottom.

What about Android?

On Android, Chrome automatically offers to install the app. No need to go through a share menu. Accept the prompt and you’re done.