Apple has reversed its decision to limit the functionality of Home Screen web apps in Europe following an outcry from the developer community and the prospect of further investigation.
“We have received requests to continue to offer support for Home Screen web apps in iOS, therefore we will continue to offer the existing Home Screen web apps capability in the EU,” the iPhone giant said in an update to its developer documentation on Friday.
“This support means Home Screen web apps continue to be built directly on WebKit and its security architecture, and align with the security and privacy model for native apps on iOS.”
Apple said Home Screen web app support would return with the general availability of iOS 17.4, presently in beta testing and due in the next few days.
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In January, Apple said it would make several changes to its iOS operating system to comply with the law. These include: Allowing third-party app stores; making its NFC hardware accessible to third-party developers for contactless payment applications; and supporting third-party browser engines as alternatives to Safari’s WebKit.
Last month, with the second beta release of iOS 17.4, it became clear Apple would impose a cost for its concessions. The iCloud goliath said, “to comply with the DMA’s requirements, we had to remove the Home Screen web apps feature in the EU.”
Essentially, Apple has to support third-party browser engines in the EU, the biz didn’t want PWAs to use those non-WebKit engines, and so it chose to just banish the web apps from its Home Screen. Now it’s changed its mind and allowed the apps to stay albeit using WebKit.
For those not in the know: The Home Screen web apps feature refers to one of the capabilities afforded to Progressive Web Apps that makes them perform and appear more like native iOS apps. It allows web apps or websites to be opened from an iOS device and take over the whole screen, just like a native app, instead of loading within a browser window.
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Apple’s demotion of Home Screen web apps broke settings integration, browser storage, push notifications, icon badging, share-to-PWA, app shortcuts, and device APIs.
“Cupertino’s attempt to scuttle PWAs under cover of chaos is exactly what it appears to be: a shocking attempt to keep the web from ever emerging as a true threat to the App Store and blame regulators for Apple’s own malicious choices,”
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In response to Apple’s about-face, OWA credited both vocal protests from developers and the reported decision by regulators to open an investigation into Apple’s abandonment of Home Screen web app support.
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“This simply returns us back to the status quo prior to Apple’s plan to sabotage web apps for the EU,” the group said. “Apple’s over-a-decade suppression of the web in favor of the App Store continues worldwide, and their attempt to destroy web apps in the EU is just their latest attempt.
“If there is to be any silver lining, it is that this has thoroughly exposed Apple’s genuine fear of a secure, open and interoperable alternative to their proprietary App Store that they can not control or tax.”
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Source: Apple reverses decision to remove Home Screen web apps in EU • The Register
Apple has thrown a real tantrum about being forced to comply with the DMCA and whilst hammering hands and feet and rolling on the floor like a toddler who can’t get their way has broken a lot of stuff. Turns out they are now kind of fixing some of it.
Robin Edgar
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