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iOS users in the European Union are wondering what the future holds for web apps on their iPhones after the iOS 17.4 beta made them completely unusable, and this isn’t good news.
As reported by 9to5Mac, Apple’s latest iOS version will remove support for home screen web apps, which it blames on the Digital Markets Act.
Web Apps are a way to add web-based applications to your iPhone’s home screen that can be accessed via Safari, and also feature login functionality and push notifications, but the Digital Markets Act means Apple will be able to “create completely new integrations that don’t currently exist. architecture” needs to be built. It looks like the option “on iOS” won’t be coming back any time soon.
An update on Apple’s developer website explains that this “was impractical given DMA’s other demands and the very low adoption rate of Home Screen web apps by users.” .
The cross-browser parity mandated by the DMA also means that the same must apply to third-party browsers.
Should it be a web app or not?
While Apple has explained why it’s removing home screen functionality for web apps, it’s worth noting that you can still access them in your browser of choice. All you need to do is navigate to the web app within your browser.
A post on Apple’s developer site says, “EU users can continue to access websites directly from their home screen through bookmarks with minimal impact to functionality. This change affects a small number of users. I anticipate that it will be granted.”
There is another side to this as well. That means the developer is using his web app to avoid his App Store fees. This leaves Apple with difficult decisions that it appears to be considering in real time.
Progressive web apps aren’t supported on Apple Vision Pro, at least at launch, but Apple has made a big deal with macOS Sonoma to roll out support for web apps on the dock.
It will be interesting to see how many web app developers migrate to traditional apps accessed through third-party App Stores.
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