Blue Butterfly runs in any modern browser, but you can also install it as a Progressive Web App (PWA). Installed, it behaves like a native application:
- Launches in its own window — no browser address bar
- Appears in your app launcher, taskbar, or home screen
- Continues to work fully offline (data and assets cached locally)
PWA installation is optional. The browser version has the same capabilities. Most field geologists find the installed app more comfortable for day-to-day use.
Desktop — Chrome or Edge
- Open Blue Butterfly in Chrome or Edge.
- Click the install icon (⊕) that appears at the right end of the address bar.
- Click Install in the prompt.
Blue Butterfly opens in its own window and appears in your system app launcher (Start menu, Applications folder, etc.).
iOS — Safari
- Open Blue Butterfly in Safari.
- Tap the Share button (square with an upward arrow).
- Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen.
- Tap Add to confirm.
The app icon appears on your home screen.
Android — Chrome
- Open Blue Butterfly in Chrome.
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right.
- Tap Add to Home Screen or Install App.
- Tap Install to confirm.
The app appears on your home screen and in your app drawer.
Offline behaviour
After installation, Blue Butterfly caches its assets via a Service Worker. You can open the app, create or edit drillholes, log intervals, and run validations even with no network connection.
All changes are saved to local storage in your browser (IndexedDB) and sync to the cloud automatically when you’re back online. See Offline & Sync for the full sync model and what to expect from the status badges.
Heads-up. Signing out clears your local data. If you sign out while offline with unsynced changes, those changes are lost. Always check that drillholes show a Synced badge before signing out on a shared device.