This is an experimental technology
Check the Browser compatibility table carefully before using this in production.
The ServiceWorker interface of the ServiceWorker API provides a reference to a service worker. Multiple browsing contexts (e.g. pages, workers, etc.) can be associated with the same service worker, each through a unique ServiceWorker object.
A ServiceWorker object is available in the ServiceWorkerRegistration.active property, and the ServiceWorkerContainer.controller property — this is a service worker that activated and controlling the page (the service worker has been successfully registered, and the controlled page has been reloaded.)
The ServiceWorker interface is dispatched a set of lifecycle events — install and activate — and functional events including fetch. A ServiceWorker object has an associated ServiceWorker.state, related to its lifecycle.
Properties
The ServiceWorker interface inherits properties from its parent, Worker.
ServiceWorker.scriptURLRead only- Returns the
ServiceWorkerserialized script URL defined as part ofServiceWorkerRegistration. The URL must be on the same origin as the document that registers theServiceWorker. ServiceWorker.stateRead only- Returns the state of the service worker. It returns one of the following values:
installing,installed,activating,activated, orredundant.
Event handlers
ServiceWorker.onstatechangeRead only- An
EventListenerproperty called whenever an event of typestatechangeis fired; it is basically fired anytime theServiceWorker.statechanges.
Methods
The ServiceWorker interface inherits methods from its parent, Worker, with the exception of Worker.terminate — this should not be accessible from service workers.
Examples
This code snippet is from the service worker registration-events sample (live demo). The code listens for any change in the ServiceWorker.state and returns its value.
if ('serviceWorker' in navigator) {
navigator.serviceWorker.register('service-worker.js', {
scope: './'
}).then(function (registration) {
var serviceWorker;
if (registration.installing) {
serviceWorker = registration.installing;
document.querySelector('#kind').textContent = 'installing';
} else if (registration.waiting) {
serviceWorker = registration.waiting;
document.querySelector('#kind').textContent = 'waiting';
} else if (registration.active) {
serviceWorker = registration.active;
document.querySelector('#kind').textContent = 'active';
}
if (serviceWorker) {
// logState(serviceWorker.state);
serviceWorker.addEventListener('statechange', function (e) {
// logState(e.target.state);
});
}
}).catch (function (error) {
// Something went wrong during registration. The service-worker.js file
// might be unavailable or contain a syntax error.
});
} else {
// The current browser doesn't support service workers.
}
Specifications
| Specification | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Service Workers The definition of 'ServiceWorker' in that specification. |
Working Draft | Initial definition. |
Browser compatibility
| Feature | Chrome | Edge | Firefox | Internet Explorer | Opera | Safari |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic support | 40 | 161 17 | 442 | No | 27 | No |
scriptURL | 40 | 161 17 | 442 | No | 27 | No |
state | 40 | 161 17 | 442 | No | 27 | No |
onstatechange | 40 | 161 17 | 442 | No | 27 | No |
| Feature | Android webview | Chrome for Android | Edge mobile | Firefox for Android | Opera Android | iOS Safari | Samsung Internet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic support | 40 | 40 | No | 44 | 27 | No | 4.0 |
scriptURL | 40 | 40 | No | 44 | 27 | No | 4.0 |
state | 40 | 40 | No | 44 | 27 | No | 4.0 |
onstatechange | 40 | 40 | No | 44 | 27 | No | 4.0 |
1. From version 16: this feature is behind the Enable service workers preference.
2. Service workers (and Push) have been disabled in the Firefox 45 and 52 Extended Support Releases (ESR.)

