Offline Use and PWA Installation in tinytunes DJ

tinytunes DJ runs in the browser, but you can also install it as a Progressive Web App (PWA).
That gives you an app-like window and better offline behavior for your local library.

This doc explains:

• How to install tinytunes DJ as a PWA,
• What works offline and what doesn’t,
• How to think about connectivity when planning sets.

1. Installing tinytunes DJ as a PWA

1.1 Desktop (Chrome, Edge, Brave)

1. Open tinytunes DJ in your browser.
2. Look for the “Install app” icon in the address bar, or open the browser menu and choose Install tinytunes DJ.
3. Confirm the installation.

After installation:

• tinytunes DJ appears in your app list / launcher.
• It opens in its own window, without normal browser chrome.
• It can be pinned to the taskbar or dock.

1.2 Android (Chrome)

1. Open tinytunes DJ in Chrome.
2. You may see an “Install” or “Add to Home screen” prompt automatically.
3. If not, open the browser menu and choose Add to Home screen.
4. Confirm; an icon is added to your home screen.

Launching from that icon opens tinytunes DJ as a standalone PWA.

1.3 iOS and other platforms

PWA support on iOS and some other platforms can be limited or change over time.
You can usually still:

• Add the site to the home screen,
• Run tinytunes DJ full-screen,

but offline behavior and background audio may not match desktop.

2. What works offline

After you've used tinytunes DJ at least once while online, you can often start it even when the network is down.

When you're offline, you can typically still:

• Open the app and use the UI.
• Use your library that was already saved on this device (tracks, set lists, cue points).
• Play local audio files, as long as:
  • The files are still on this device, and
  • Any external drive is connected.

This makes tinytunes DJ a realistic option for:

• Practice sessions with local tracks only.
• Using a rehearsal studio with poor or no Wi-Fi.
• Quick house parties where YouTube isn’t strictly necessary.

3. What does not work offline

Even in PWA mode, offline means offline for network features:

• YouTube / online sources
  • Require live internet for streaming.
• Login and cloud sync
  • You cannot sign in or sync library updates without a connection.
  • Any changes remain local until the next online session.
• Anything that needs the internet
  • Features that rely on an online connection will be unavailable until you're back online.

Design your sets accordingly:

• For guaranteed playback, rely on local files.
• Treat online tracks as “bonus” material when the connection is good.

4. Updates

If you ever see a "New version available" message, refresh when it's convenient to load the latest version.

5. Connectivity strategies for DJs

5.1 For home practice

• Install tinytunes DJ as a PWA.
• Keep your full library as local files.
• Use YouTube tracks sparingly for discovery and reference.

If the internet drops:

• You can continue practicing with local tracks.
• Set lists and cue points that are saved on this device should still be available.

5.2 For small parties

• Prefer a local-first set list:
  • All critical songs stored as local files.
• Use YouTube only for:
  • Requests you don’t have locally,
  • Background tracks between sets.

If the venue Wi-Fi is unreliable:

• Stick to local-only sets.
• Run a quick offline test:
  • Turn off Wi-Fi (or use airplane mode).
  • Reload the app and confirm your library appears and local tracks play.

5.3 For travel or multiple machines

• Install tinytunes DJ PWA on each machine you care about.
• Decide which machine is your primary library host:
  • Keep the whole local collection there.
• Optionally maintain a travel library:
  • A curated subset of tracks that fit in your laptop’s space.
• Before a show:
  • Test tinytunes DJ in airplane mode on that machine to ensure everything you need is local.

6. Troubleshooting offline & PWA issues

6.1 App doesn’t load offline

• Confirm you visited tinytunes DJ at least once while online.
• Reconnect to the internet, reload once, then try offline again.
• If it still won't work, try reinstalling the PWA (or clearing site data for tinytunes DJ and setting up your library again).

6.2 Local tracks missing when offline

• Ensure the drive that holds your music is connected.
• If you changed folder names, re-add them while online (or offline, if the app is loaded).
• If you cleared site data for tinytunes DJ, you may need to rebuild or re-import your local library.

6.3 No “Install app” option

• Make sure you’re on a supported browser and HTTPS.
• For desktop:
  • Chrome/Edge/Brave usually show an install icon in the address bar.
• For Android:
  • Use latest Chrome.
• On iOS:
  • Use “Add to Home Screen” from Safari’s share menu.

Using tinytunes DJ as a PWA doesn’t magically turn it into a native app, but it does give you:

• Faster startup after the first run,
• A dedicated window,
• Better offline behavior for your local-library workflow.

Treat online features as “nice to have” and you’ll have a much more predictable DJ experience.