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Apple Will Allow Web Apps on iPhones in the EU

Apple Will Allow Web Apps on iPhones in the EU

Sarah Hardacre Sarah Hardacre March 20, 2024
March 20, 2024
Apple has announced on its developer support page that it will reverse its decision to block Home Screen web apps following scrutiny from EU regulators on its move to remove this feature.

This is another action Apple is taking in light of the European Digital Markets Act (DMA) that came into effect March 1. The DMA ensures a fair and competitive digital market in the EU. Apple announced a number of changes it would be introducing to comply with these new regulations.

Home Screen web apps are a tool that allows users to store websites as a stand-alone app on their device. Apple opted to remove this feature originally to comply with the DMA citing “complex security and privacy concerns associated with web apps using alternative browser engines.”

Many developers opposed the removal of the feature, although Apple originally said there was “very low user adoption” of the feature and that the removal will “affect a small number of users.”

Not only is the feature convenient for iPhone users, but it also allows developers to interact and engage with their users more efficiently. When Apple first announced the change, the Open Web Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the future of open web, posted an open letter maintaining that this change would “threaten critical features including integration with iOS, push notifications, unread count badging, and the ability to run full screen.

Following requests to keep this functionality, Apple finally announced it would reverse its decision for Home Screen web apps that are “built directly on WebKit and its security architecture, and align with the security and privacy model for native apps on iOS.”

Though it does not directly state this, the language as written implies that iOS will not support Home Screen web apps developed via other browsing engines.

Anyone who installed the beta release of iOS in the EU and had their Home Screen web apps removed will be able to get access to the feature again in iOS17.4 due for release in early March.

Sarah Hardacre
Sarah Hardacre
Sarah Hardacre is a freelance writer and a business leader driving transformational change in the IT industry. She focuses on building empowered, high performing teams driving business success; teams where everyone thrives and leads balanced lives. When not working, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, exploring new places, and enjoying the peacefulness of nature.

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