Wheel of Names App – Install the Free Spin the Wheel PWA

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

swheel utilizes modern Progressive Web App (PWA) standards supported natively by Apple Safari, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge. Installing takes less than five seconds and uses almost zero device storage.

iPhone or iPad (Apple Safari)

Open swheel.us in Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap the Share button (the square icon with an upward arrow at the bottom of the screen).
Scroll down the action sheet and select Add to Home Screen.
Tap Add in the top-right corner. The swheel icon now appears on your home screen and launches in standalone fullscreen mode without the browser URL bar.

Android Phones & Tablets (Google Chrome)

Open swheel.us in Chrome on your Android device.
Tap the three vertical dots (menu icon) in the top-right corner.
Select Install app or Add to Home screen.
Confirm installation. The app will be placed in your app drawer and home screen just like a store app.

Mac, Windows PC & Chromebooks (Chrome or Edge)

Open swheel.us on your desktop browser.
Look for the small Install icon (a monitor with a down arrow) on the right side of the address bar.
Click Install to add swheel to your desktop dock or Start Menu.

Why Choose a Progressive Web App over Store Apps?

Traditional app stores are filled with clone spinners that require 80–120MB downloads, demand invasive permissions (such as location, camera, or contacts access), and hide basic features behind recurring weekly subscriptions.

Zero Invasive Permissions: A PWA runs within standard browser sandboxes. swheel never asks for access to your contacts, camera, or device files.
Instant Loading & Offline Cache: Thanks to our integrated Service Worker (sw.js), all wheel physics, themes, audio files, and UI scripts are stored in browser cache. You can spin on airplanes, in rural camps, or during campus Wi-Fi drops.
Automatic Updates: There are no manual App Store update downloads. When we improve the wheel or add new templates, you receive the latest version automatically the next time you connect to the internet.

Understanding Limitations & Best Practices

Because swheel prioritizes user privacy and does not maintain a centralized user database, keep these practical points in mind:

Local Storage Scoping: Your custom lists and settings are stored locally on that specific device and browser profile. If you clear all website cookies and browsing data in device settings, your local wheel cache will reset.
Backing Up Wheels: The safest way to preserve important class lists or contest wheels permanently is to click Copy share link and save the URL in your notes or browser bookmarks. The URL itself contains the encoded roster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a native Apple App Store or Google Play Store download?

swheel is intentionally built as an installable Progressive Web App (PWA). Rather than downloading a heavy 100MB binary with tracking permissions, you install it directly from your web browser in two taps.

Does the wheel of names app cost money or require a subscription?

No. The app is 100% free with all features included: unlimited entries, weighted chances, sound effects, celebration confetti, and fullscreen mode with no account required.

Does it work offline without an active internet connection?

Yes! Our built-in Service Worker caches the wheel engine, canvas graphics, and sounds. Once opened once, you can spin the wheel on planes, in outdoor classrooms, or during network outages.

Will my saved lists sync across my phone and laptop?

Because swheel does not store your lists on a cloud server for privacy reasons, lists are stored in your device’s local browser memory. To transfer a wheel between devices, simply copy the share link or bookmark it.

Ready to spin?

Launch the wheel now on any browser, phone, tablet, or smartboard.

↑ Launch the wheel

Wheel of Names App — Install on Phone or Desktop