Install the map.army Progressive Web App (PWA)

Install map.army as a Progressive Web App so it runs in its own window, gets a desktop or home-screen icon, registers the .milxlyz file association on desktop, and stays available offline once the assets are cached.

Progressive Web Application

A Progressive Web App (PWA) is a modern web application that your browser installs onto your operating system the same way a native app does — you get a desktop icon, a windowed launch with no browser chrome, and the app keeps working when the network drops. Under the hood it is still web technology (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, WebGL), delivered straight from the live map.army site, so updates land automatically the next time you connect — no app-store review, no manual installer, no account required.

The installed map.army PWA gives you:

  • A dedicated window with no browser tabs, address bar, or bookmarks bar — more screen for the map.
  • A desktop or home-screen icon that launches directly into the app.
  • .milxlyz file association on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS — double-click a saved overlay to open it in map.army (see ‘File Association’).
  • Offline access once the app assets are cached — useful in the field when connectivity is patchy.
  • Automatic updates — the next online launch pulls the latest version from the live site.

A PWA install is reversible at any time — see ‘Uninstall’. For minimum OS and browser versions, see ‘Compatibility’.

Install

The install step depends on which platform you are on. Pick the one that matches your device.

Windows

In Chrome, Edge, or Brave on Windows 11 or later:

  1. Open map.army in a supported browser — Chrome or Edge recommended.
  2. Click the App available. Install Military Map icon in the address bar (right-hand side).
  3. Confirm the install dialog.

The app appears in the Start Menu under Military Map and can be pinned to the taskbar.

Mac

In Chrome, Edge, or Brave on macOS Catalina 10.15 or later:

  1. Open map.army in a supported browser — Chrome or Edge recommended.
  2. Click the Install Military Map icon in the address bar.
  3. Click the Install button in the dialog.

The app appears in Applications and can be added to the Dock.

Android

In Chrome, Edge, or Brave on Android 8.0 Oreo or later:

  1. Open map.army in a supported browser — Chrome or Edge recommended.
  2. Tap the Install app prompt that appears below the address bar — or open the browser menu and choose Install app / Add to Home Screen.
  3. Confirm the install dialog.

The icon appears on the home screen and launches in its own window. Android does not register a .milxlyz file association — open saved overlays through the in-app Open dialog (see ‘File Association’).

Chrome OS

In Chrome on Chrome OS 86 or later:

  1. Open map.army in Chrome.
  2. Click the Install Military Map icon in the address bar — or open the Chrome menu and choose Save and share → Install Military Map.
  3. Confirm the install dialog.

The app appears in the Chrome OS Launcher and can be pinned to the shelf. The Files app registers the .milxlyz association — double-click a saved overlay to open it directly in map.army .

iOS and iPadOS

On iOS or iPadOS 15 or later:

  1. Open map.army in a supported browser — Chrome recommended (Safari can also be used).
  2. Tap the Share button (the square with an upward arrow).
  3. Scroll the share sheet and tap Add to Home Screen.
  4. Confirm the name and tap Add.

The icon appears on the home screen. Like Android, iOS does not register a .milxlyz file association — open saved overlays through the in-app Open dialog instead. All browsers on iOS use Apple’s WebKit engine and share the same Add-to-Home-Screen flow through the iOS share sheet.

Linux

In Chrome, Edge, or Brave on a supported 64-bit distribution (Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 10+, openSUSE 15.2+, or Fedora 32+):

  1. Open map.army in a supported browser — Chrome or Edge recommended.
  2. Click the install icon in the address bar — or open the browser menu and choose Install Military Map.
  3. Confirm the install dialog.

The app registers as a .desktop entry and launches from the application menu.