Making it easier to enable Window Controls Overlay

[anaestheticsapp]

I implemented Window Controls Overlay a few weeks ago and I'm glad that desktop PWAs finally have the same look and feel like native apps. Users also loved the improved look of the PWA and the extra space available. Unfortunately, uptake was rather low as users didn't bother to enable WCO using the toggle button and expected this to be enabled by default.

Most users found the whole experience rather confusing. Some couldn't remember where to find the button or what it looked like, other's didn't understand the purpose of the button as it's not a behaviour they are familiar with when installing a native app. The feature, as it currently is, is taking PWAs further away from a native app like experience and it's hard to justify implementing something that no one will use.

I understand that enabling WCO by default has security implications, but maybe a permission prompt would be more helpful than a button in the title bar. I like how MS Edge asks for certain permissions after installing a PWA (https://twitter.com/AnaestheticsApp/status/1435675112985010178). Would it be possible to add another checkbox for Window Controls Overlay?

[tomayac]

+1 for exploring more discoverable options like a permission. We (Google) have heard more anecdotal feedback along the lines of the post above.

[BenjaminAster]

A solution here that I came up with so far is to show the user a dialog prompting them to enable the window controls overlay by themselves: