Why are we forced to download Apps?
💼 Business Strategy + 🛡️ Technical Limitations
🧱 1. Browser sandbox = Limited power
Browsers can’t do things like:
- Access files or storage freely
- Open raw network sockets
- Access sensors (e.g. GPS, camera, microphone) without strict user permission
- Intercept system-level notifications
- Run in the background reliably
So for apps like TikTok, which:
- Need real-time camera/mic
- Use GPU for video filters
- Monitor swipes & gestures
- Upload/download video in the background
- Push notifications
- Track you more persistently…
They hit a wall in the browser.
🧱 Browsers are “safe,” but also “crippled” from an app developer’s perspective.
💰 2. Business Motivation: Control + Monetization
Companies like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube want you in their app, because:
- They control the entire environment (no ad blockers, no sandbox)
- They can track more user data (and sell ads better)
- They can do shady stuff (like fingerprinting, background uploads, keylogging) that browsers block
- They can push you endless notifications and keep you hooked
In the browser, they’re limited by browser privacy policies, but in their app, it’s like they own the OS.
So they intentionally cripple the website:
- TikTok.com shows just one video, then says “Get the app”
- Instagram.com hides stories or posting
- Reddit mobile site nags “Use the app” every two clicks
🔍 Real Example: TikTok Web vs TikTok App
| Feature | TikTok Web | TikTok App |
|---|---|---|
| Watch 1 video | ✅ | ✅ |
| Swipe full feed | ❌ | ✅ |
| Upload video | ❌ or limited | ✅ |
| Access camera/mic easily | ⚠️ (needs permission) | ✅ |
| Send notifications | ❌ | ✅ |
| Background data | ❌ | ✅ |
🤖 Why Apps Can Be Riskier Too
Because apps are more powerful, they’re also:
- More invasive
- Harder to audit (can run native code)
- A more popular target for malware or privacy abuse
So ironically:
- Browsers are safer, but companies try to force you away from them
- Apps are more powerful, but also riskier for privacy and security
If you want to resist that push, there are cool tricks like:
- User-agent spoofing to trick TikTok into thinking you’re on Android
- Using mobile wrappers (e.g. Progressive Web Apps or WebView shells)
- Privacy browsers that block TikTok’s nags