Googlebook can't install Slack web app on day one

Googlebook launched this week, but early buyers running the Slack progressive web app (PWA) are hitting an error. 9to5Google reports that when you try to install Slack as a PWA, the device shows a message that says "this app cannot be installed." You can still create a shortcut that opens Slack in a Chrome tab, but it won't open in its own window.

The Googlebook runs Android at its core, so it uses native Android apps for things like Gemini and Google Photos. For other apps like Gmail and YouTube, it relies on PWAs. Slack's Android app is poorly optimized for anything larger than a phone screen, and the Play Store even directs users to the web version. But that web version won't install properly on day one. Other PWAs including Photopea, Squoosh, and SnapDrop work fine, so the issue appears specific to Slack for now. For anyone who relies on Slack for work, the lack of desktop-level support on launch day is a rough start. 9to5Google has reached out to Google for more information.

• bug
• Google
• Googlebook
• progressive web app
• PWA
• Slack