Simplify sharing with built-in APIs and progressive enhancement – Piccalilli
April 7, 2025
The Web Share API allows us to present users with choices that matters to them, because it triggers the share mechanism of their device. For example, I can easily share links to the group chat, Bluesky or even Airdrop on my phone because the share sheet on my phone is relevant to me, not what a publisher thinks is relevant to me.
The other web platform tool — the Clipboard API — allows us to create a nice, simple “Copy Link” button. Copy and paste makes sense, mainly because it’s easy. Copy link buttons also give users complete choice in terms of where they share your URL.
Source: Simplify sharing with built-in APIs and progressive enhancement – Piccalilli
The Web platform is full of features to make developers lives easier that many developers may not be familiar with.
One such is the Web Share API. What does this do? Everyone is familiar with the share icon in iOS, Android, Mac OS and so on. This makes it simple for you to share say a web page to messages, Signal, AirDrop and other services on your device.
It’s very very straightforward to implement, widely supported and can be used with progressive enhancement as Andy Bell explores here.
