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React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces with declarative, component-based, and cross-platform design.
metrolaunch
MetroLaunch is a free, offline-capable PWA that transforms an iOS device into a home screen styled after Microsoft's Metro UI, with support for launching other apps via URL schemes and optional Spotify now-playing integration.
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2026-07-15
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FR-AI / ANALYSISWhy it is worth attention
It revives the distinctive Metro UI aesthetic on iOS as a fully functional launcher, using progressive web app technology to remain free, offline-ready, and updateable without App Store involvement, while also integrating real-time data tiles for weather and Spotify.
Who it is for
- iOS users nostalgic for Windows Phone/Metro design
- Power users who want a customizable, third-party home screen launcher
- Tech enthusiasts interested in URL scheme and PWA-based mobile interfaces
- Users seeking a free alternative to paid launcher apps
Use cases
- Replace the default iOS home screen with a tile-based Metro layout
- Launch any app using URL schemes or Apple Shortcuts integration
- Display live weather information from OpenWeatherMap
- Show currently playing Spotify track with a dedicated tile and Python server
Strengths
- Fully functional PWA: works offline, receives hassle-free updates, and has smooth animations
- Uses authentic Windows 8 weather images for visual nostalgia
- Free forever with no in-app purchases or subscriptions
- Multiple methods to launch apps (URL schemes, Shortcuts) even when direct schemes are unavailable
Considerations
- Requires manual configuration of URL schemes or Shortcuts to launch apps; not all apps have discoverable schemes
- Spotify now-playing tile demands an always‑on Python client on a separate Windows/Mac machine and relies on the author’s server (with fair use bandwidth constraints)
- Weather tile needs a free OpenWeatherMap API key; some features depend on external services
README quick start
MetroLaunch / click here to install
A feature-rich third party home screen for iOS in the style of Microsoft's old MetroUI... Built as a PWA, so it's free forever, has smooth animations, is runnable offline, and gets hassle free updates via an in-built system.
It even uses the original Windows 8 weather images :)
Getting into the launcher FASTER - Opening the icon from the Apple Homescreen can get annoying quickly.
- Make a shortcut to open the URL prefaced with
webapp://which is listed in this repo - In order for this to work, you must have the app installed via the 'add to home screen option' already
- Then set it as the double back tap option
Also, not many iOS users know, but to swipe between apps, you can just swipe left or right on the navigation bar!!
Please fully read the readme before installing and using the launcher...
This app relies on URL schemes to launch and add apps...
What is a URL Scheme
- URL schema are links that are able to reference other apps installed on your device
- Both Android and iOS have them, but Android launchers don't usually ever need to rely on them
So why do we have to
- Apple in their infinite wisdom has disallowed enumerating other apps on the device and opening them 'just because' and usually requires some sort of intent
- Hence, a weather app may have a scheme like
weather-app-best://getforloc=milwaukee- note that is a pretty crude example but the point is the same - Thanfully, opening an app with nothing in the url scheme usally works just fine. For example
netflix://will just open the appNetflix
How can I get them
- Sometimes you get lucky and it is just the app name with a
://after it, or it is just the Bundle ID - Other times, it's completely random gibberish. For example, the url scheme for the app
What The Forecastisfb1682603758661443://so sometimes it is very hard to find them - Usually there is lists online for them, but they usually don't have all the apps you'd want
Ways to get them that are easier then guessing
Download the theming app 'Brass'
- You can add apps to the home screen with it through a configuration profile and hold them on the home screen, press share, then copy link
- But sometimes you may notice it will still be blank!! Which means that the app has no URL scheme
- Don't
Description
The first ever third-party homescreen for non-jailbroken iOS devices is here... In everybody's favorite style - Windows Phone (highly dependent on who you ask) :3
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