Deploying a PWA to a development environment. Main goal: convert it into an operational mobile app

Google AI Studio
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I have been prototyping a PWA with Google AI Studio for a while. It is a big app with lots of features in it. I came to MVP level and I would like to add backend functions to make it operational. I don’t know if i need to add anything other than backend functions like database and oauth.

I tried to deploy it to Firebase couple of timese and each time i failed, as I don’t fully understand how it works. I have no coding experience and it feels so complicated.

I made some research (until i reached here) and I get the understanding that there is not an easy way to do it. I asked LLMs but their directions are useless, too.

I find myself stuck in a loopwhole. Is there anyone can guide me;

  1. How can i make the prototype functional?
  2. How can I turn it into an Android and IOS app?

Looking forward to your responses.

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I think Google don’t have any answer. They created this forum but not deployed any expert admin.

I am also paused at your situation after loosing many sleepless nights.

Really very frustrating experience for one of the best companies of the world.

1 Like
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Same question here.

My experience: Google AI Studio support is directing us to Firebase support, while Firebase support is telling us to contact Google AI Support, creating a bit of a loop.

I reached out to Firebase Support and received a general response, but nothing concrete on how to add Firebase authentication within apps in the Google AI Studio environment. I think we also need help from the Google AI Studio support team on this, as Firebase support hasn’t provided enough detail to resolve our questions about Firebase authentication and Firestore integration.

2 Likes
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Hi @Ahmet_Karayigit,

Here are the key components you’ll likely need and how they relate to Firebase:

  1. Backend Functions (Cloud Functions for Firebase): These allow you to run backend code in a serverless environment in response to events triggered by Firebase features (like changes in a database) or HTTPS requests. This is where you’d implement your specific business logic.
    Official Documentation: Cloud Functions for Firebase

  2. Database (Cloud Firestore): This is a flexible, scalable NoSQL cloud database for mobile, web, and server development. It’s designed for easy data synchronization across clients.
    Official Documentation: Cloud Firestore

  3. User Authentication (Firebase Authentication): Firebase Authentication provides backend services, easy-to-use SDKs, and ready-made UI libraries to authenticate users to your app. It supports authentication using passwords, phone numbers, popular federated providers like Google, Facebook, and Twitter, and more.
    Official Documentation: Firebase Authentication

  4. Hosting (Firebase Hosting): Firebase Hosting provides fast and secure hosting for your web app from PWA. It also integrates well with other Firebase services.
    Official Documentation: Firebase Hosting

Why Firebase for PWAs?
Firebase is particularly well-suited for PWAs because it offers a comprehensive suite of tools that cover almost all backend needs, from authentication to hosting and databases, with client-side SDKs that are easy to integrate.

Also please refer this doc Get started with Firebase Hosting

How can I turn it into an Android and iOS app?

Webview-based Wrappers (e.g., Capacitor, Cordova):
This is often the most straightforward path for your use-case. Tools like Capacitor (from the Ionic team) or Apache Cordova allow you to wrap your PWA inside a native container. This container essentially uses a WebView to display your web content and provides access to native device features (camera, GPS, etc.) through plugins.

Hope these references help you to build a robust application with Firebase and host it as Android and iOS app.

Thanks for using Google Services.

Happy Coding :slight_smile: