Access options
Vocab Vault works on any device with a modern web browser and offers native Android support through Capacitor.Web app
Instant access, no installation required
Android app
Native mobile experience with offline support
Web app
The easiest way to use Vocab Vault is through your web browser.Open in your browser
Navigate to your Vocab Vault deployment URL in any modern web browser:
- Chrome (recommended)
- Firefox
- Safari
- Edge
The web app requires JavaScript to be enabled. All vocabulary data and progress is stored locally in your browser.
Add to home screen (optional)
For a native app-like experience, add Vocab Vault to your home screen:On iOS (Safari):
- Tap the Share button
- Scroll down and tap “Add to Home Screen”
- Name it “Vocab Vault” and tap “Add”
- Tap the three-dot menu
- Select “Add to Home Screen”
- Name it “Vocab Vault” and tap “Add”
Android app
Vocab Vault offers a native Android app built with Capacitor for the best mobile experience.Requirements
- Android 5.0 (API level 21) or higher
- Approximately 20MB of storage space
Installation methods
- From APK
- Build from source
Download the APK
Download the latest APK from the GitHub releases page.
Enable unknown sources
If this is your first time installing from an APK:
- Open Settings on your Android device
- Navigate to Security or Apps
- Enable Install unknown apps or Unknown sources for your browser or file manager
This setting allows installation of apps from sources other than the Play Store. You can disable it after installation.
App permissions
The Vocab Vault Android app requests minimal permissions:| Permission | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Internet | Optional: for sharing achievements or checking for updates |
| Storage | Saving vocabulary progress and user settings locally |
All vocabulary data and progress is stored locally on your device. No data is sent to external servers.
System requirements
Web app
- Modern web browser (Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, Edge 90+)
- JavaScript enabled
- ~10MB of local storage space
Android app
- Android 5.0 (Lollipop, API level 21) or higher
- ~20MB of storage space
- Recommended: Android 8.0+ for best performance
Data and privacy
Where is my data stored?
Where is my data stored?
All your progress, settings, and mastered vocabulary are stored locally on your device using browser local storage (web app) or Capacitor Preferences (Android app).This means:
- No account or login required
- No data sent to external servers
- Your progress stays on your device
- Clearing browser data or app data will reset your progress
Can I sync across devices?
Can I sync across devices?
Currently, Vocab Vault does not sync progress across devices. Each installation maintains its own local progress.If you use both the web app and Android app, they will track progress separately.
What happens if I clear app data?
What happens if I clear app data?
Clearing app data or browser storage will reset your progress, including:
- Mastered vocabulary
- Daily streak
- Unlocked achievements
- Settings and preferences
Is an internet connection required?
Is an internet connection required?
After initial load: NoThe web app caches all vocabulary after the first visit. The Android app includes all vocabulary in the installation.You can use Vocab Vault completely offline for studying. Internet is only needed for:
- Initial web app load
- Downloading updates
- Optional: Sharing achievements (if implemented)
Updating
Web app
The web app checks for updates automatically. Refresh your browser to get the latest version.Android app
- Download the latest APK from GitHub releases
- Install over your existing installation
- Your progress will be preserved during updates
Always back up your progress data if possible before major updates, though the app attempts to preserve local data during updates.
Troubleshooting
App won't load or shows blank screen
App won't load or shows blank screen
Web app:
- Clear browser cache and reload
- Try a different browser
- Disable browser extensions temporarily
- Check JavaScript is enabled
- Clear app cache in Settings → Apps → Vocab Vault → Storage → Clear Cache
- Restart the app
- Reinstall if issues persist
Lost progress after update
Lost progress after update
Progress should persist through updates, but if lost:
- Check if you’re using the same browser/device
- Verify you didn’t clear browser data or app storage
- Unfortunately, without cloud sync, lost local data cannot be recovered
Can't install Android APK
Can't install Android APK
- Verify “Unknown sources” or “Install unknown apps” is enabled
- Ensure you have enough storage space (~20MB)
- Try downloading the APK again (may have been corrupted)
- Check that your Android version is 5.0 or higher
App is slow or laggy
App is slow or laggy
- Close other apps to free up memory
- Restart your device
- Clear app cache (this won’t delete progress)
- Ensure you’re running Android 8.0+ for optimal performance
Source code
Vocab Vault is open source. View and contribute to the code:View on GitHub
Explore the source code, report issues, or contribute improvements
Tech stack
Vocab Vault is built with:- React (v18.3) - UI framework
- TypeScript (v5.8) - Type safety
- Vite (v5.4) - Build tool and dev server
- Tailwind CSS (v3.4) - Styling
- Capacitor (v8.0) - Native mobile wrapper
- Framer Motion (v12.29) - Animations
- shadcn/ui - Component library
For development setup and contribution guidelines, see the Development Overview or Contributing Guide.
Need help?
If you encounter issues not covered here:- Check the GitHub issues for similar problems
- Open a new issue with details about your device, OS version, and the problem
- Join the Digital Alchemy Skool community for support