This reversal comes after Apple’s initial decision to end the feature drew a lot of criticism from developers, users and EU regulators.
Apple is changing its stance after the backlash
In February, Apple announced that it would prevent users in the EU from adding web apps to the iPhone home screen. The company cited security and complexity concerns about complying with the EU’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA).
But developers and users condemned the move, arguing that it would severely limit key functions of web apps such as notifications and data storage. The European Commission also questioned Apple about the possible impact of removing web apps.
Now, in an update to the iOS developer page, Apple says it will preserve the existing functionality of the web app after receiving feedback. However, Apple noted that web apps will still need to be built with the proprietary WebKit engine used in Safari, rather than alternative browser engines.
Apple previously said the web app should be removed
When Apple first revealed plans to phase out web applications, it said that building an entirely new architecture to support alternative browsers under DMA would not be feasible.
The company cited security risks such as data theft or permissions from web apps without the user’s knowledge. But after the backlash, Apple found a way to keep the feature while also addressing the risks.
While Apple is keeping web apps for now, their long-term future on iPhones remains uncertain. Apple could still limit or replace them to maximize native app usage and App Store revenue. But the company’s quick turnaround signals it’s feeling pressure from regulators, developers and consumers to keep the iOS ecosystem open.