Apple’s iOS 17.4 is about to launch, along with new features and big changes for iPhone users in the EU. One of the most controversial moves coming with iOS 17.4 was the removal of web apps from the home screen, which Apple said had to comply with new EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules.
But Apple suddenly backtracked on a move for iOS 17.4 to end support for home screen web apps, also known as progressive web apps (PWAs).
Apple suddenly backtracked on a move for iOS 17.4 to end support for web apps on the home screen, too … [+]
In a statement on its developer website, the iPhone maker said that as of iOS 17.4, iPhone users in the EU can still access web apps on the home screen.
iOS 17.4’s new move came after beta users noticed that they could no longer launch web apps on the iPhone’s home screen. Apple confirmed that this was done on purpose to allow the iPhone maker to comply with DMA rules that say it must support alternative browsers in the EU.
This would mean that for the first time companies would be allowed to build browsers that are not based on Apple’s WebKit engine. The iPhone maker said the resulting lack of control would open up iOS to malicious web apps, so in this context PWAs would be a security threat.
In its latest twist, Apple now says it can support PWAs in iOS 17.4, because even if the app doesn’t load using Safari, all web apps on the home screen will be powered by WebKit. That’s how it’s always worked and it’s not going to change now.
Why did Apple give up changing iOS 17.4?
So why did Apple backtrack on its iOS 17.4 decision? The iPhone maker didn’t say much, other than to say that the need to “remove the feature is based on complex security and privacy concerns,” adding that it will continue support because it has received requests to do so.
The iOS 17.4 move had plenty of opposition, from security researchers at Mysk to secure email service Proton, who questioned Apple’s real reasons for removing support for web apps from the home screen.
The move to iOS 17.4 was also the subject of an open letter from the Open Web Advocacy Organization to Apple CEO Tim Cook, which said that “quiet changes threaten critical features including integration with iOS, push notifications, unread flagging, and the ability for full screen display.”
“As a result, entire categories of apps will no longer be viable on the web. Even more concerning is that we understand that iOS will not include APIs for competing browsers to implement these features. This will cause enormous, immediate and lasting damage to users, developers and businesses, both inside and outside the EU.”
Apple’s iOS 17.4 comes with seismic changes, especially for users located in the EU, including the ability to enable sideloading on iPhones for the first time. The update should go live on March 4th or March 5th, so keep an eye on my Forbes page for updates.