TeaSpill on Android & iPhone:
Full Installation Guide (2026)
TeaSpill is not in the App Store or Google Play — by design. Here's how to install it on any device, enable notifications, and get the full native app experience in under two minutes.
Why TeaSpill Isn't in the App Store
App stores require apps to be fully public, discoverable, and subject to platform review. For a women-only anonymous safety community, app store listing creates privacy and discovery risks that the platform is specifically designed to avoid. A man searching for the app, or a corporate review process requiring public listing, are not compatible with TeaSpill's mission.
Instead, TeaSpill is a Progressive Web App — which means it installs directly from the browser onto your device, behaves exactly like a native app, and updates automatically without requiring you to visit an app store. You get all the native features (home screen icon, push notifications, offline caching) without the app store.
Installing TeaSpill on iPhone (iOS)
Required: Safari browser. Chrome on iPhone does not currently support full PWA installation. You must use Safari.
Open Safari on your iPhone (must be Safari — Chrome on iPhone doesn't support full PWA install)
Navigate to teaspill.co
Tap the Share button at the bottom of the screen (the box with an arrow pointing up)
Scroll down in the share sheet and tap 'Add to Home Screen'
Edit the name if you want (it defaults to 'TeaSpill')
Tap 'Add' in the top right corner
The TeaSpill icon now appears on your home screen — tap it to open like any native app
Installing TeaSpill on Android
Recommended: Chrome browser. Most Android browsers support PWA installation, but Chrome provides the most consistent experience.
Open Chrome on your Android device (Chrome works best for PWA installation)
Navigate to teaspill.co
Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner
Tap 'Add to Home Screen' or 'Install App' (wording varies by Android version)
Tap 'Add' or 'Install' in the confirmation prompt
TeaSpill appears in your app drawer and can be pinned to your home screen
On some Android devices, Chrome shows an automatic 'Install' banner — tap it to install without going through the menu
Enabling Push Notifications
Notifications are how TeaSpill keeps you connected when something happens to a post you care about — a new UPDATE from a situation you voted on, high-engagement replies, new content in rooms you follow. Here's how to turn them on.
On iPhone
Open TeaSpill via the home screen icon (must be the installed PWA, not in Safari)
When prompted by the app to allow notifications, tap 'Allow'
If you missed the prompt: go to iPhone Settings → TeaSpill (under 'Apps from Websites') → Notifications → Allow Notifications
On Android
Open TeaSpill in Chrome and look for the notification permission prompt
Tap 'Allow'
If you missed it: go to Chrome → Settings → Site Settings → Notifications → teaspill.co → Allow
Or: Android Settings → Apps → Chrome → Permissions → Notifications
Using TeaSpill on Desktop
TeaSpill works fully in any desktop browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Just visit teaspill.co. You can also install it as a desktop PWA in Chrome by clicking the install icon in the address bar (a computer monitor with a down arrow). This creates a standalone window without browser chrome, exactly like a desktop app.
Comparison: Browser vs. Installed PWA
| Feature | In Browser | Installed PWA |
|---|---|---|
| Full community access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Push notifications | ✗ | ✓ |
| Home screen icon | ✗ | ✓ |
| Full-screen mode | ✗ | ✓ |
| Faster load time | – | ✓ |
| Offline cache | Partial | ✓ |
| Auto-updates | ✓ | ✓ |