Apple’s iOS 17.4 is set to bring significant changes for iPhone users in the EU, with the removal of home screen web apps being one of the most controversial moves. Initially, Apple had announced that this change was necessary to comply with the new rules outlined by the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA).
However, in a surprising turn of events, Apple has reversed its decision to halt support for home screen web apps, also known as progressive web apps (PWAs). The company stated on its developer site that EU iPhone users will still be able to access these web apps on their home screens with the upcoming iOS 17.4 update.
The reversal came after beta users noticed the inability to run web apps on their iPhone home screens, which Apple had intentionally implemented to adhere to DMA regulations requiring support for alternative browsers in the EU. Apple expressed concerns about security risks posed by allowing PWAs to run independently of its WebKit engine.
Apple's latest announcement confirms that all home screen web apps in iOS 17.4 will continue to be powered by WebKit, regardless of the browser used to load them. The company cited complex security and privacy concerns as the primary reasons for initially considering the removal of this capability.
The decision to backtrack on the iOS 17.4 move followed requests from users and developers to maintain support for PWAs. The move had faced criticism from various parties, including security researchers and secure email service providers, questioning Apple's motives for the change.
Notably, the Open Web Advocacy Organization penned an open letter to Apple's CEO, expressing concerns that the removal of support for home screen web apps could have far-reaching negative impacts on users, developers, and businesses within and outside the EU.
Apple's iOS 17.4 update is expected to introduce significant changes, such as enabling sideloading on iPhones for the first time, particularly impacting users in the EU. The update is scheduled for release on March 4th or 5th, so users are advised to stay tuned for further updates.
