Apple released a new one statement reversed its decision to cancel the planned removal of web apps from the Home screen in the iOS 17.4 update.
According to Apple’s original plan, web apps on the home screen would be removed from all Apple devices running iOS 17.4 in Europe. Apple said this was in line with the EU’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA), but the company appears to have backed down and “will continue to offer existing home screen web app capabilities in the EU”.
Apple’s statement claims this is because the company has “received requests to continue offering support for Home Screen web apps in iOS, so we will continue to offer existing Home Screen web app capabilities in the EU.” Apple then goes on to explain that the original need to remove web apps from the home screen was due to concerns about the security and privacy of web apps.
However, Apple claims that it will continue to support the feature and that “this support means that 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 iOS apps. “
When Apple initially made its plan to stop publicly supporting web apps on the home screen, there was an outcry from developers and other groups, with The Open Web Advocacy group stating that “whole categories of apps will no longer be viable on the web as a result ” in an open letter to Tim Cook. This isn’t the first time Apple’s plans to align with DMA have drawn complaints, as Epic Games CEO Team Sweeney he recently declared that Apple’s plans are “a devious new instance of malicious compliance.”
While Apple appeared to be working to make its devices EU DMA compliant, its solutions often drew more ire than praise. This may not be entirely fair, since Apple is a company whose purpose is to make money. However, the fact that he is willing to reverse his decision seems to be a good thing for European buyers.
Apple is set to release iOS 17.4 this month, so keep an eye on our coverage of it, as it’s in danger of getting lost in the woods now that Apple is set to announce new iPads and the M3 MacBook Air this week.