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Apple has reverse its decision about blocking web apps , also known as Progressive Web Apps ( PWAs ) , on iPhones in the EU . The companionship updated itsdeveloper pagesaying that after have many requests to support PWAs , it will reinstate the functionality in the coming public release of iOS 17.4 .
PWAs can act like native apps and get at dissimilar functionality of your machine without taking up too much space on your telephone . These apps can also send you notifications and keep you logged in to a overhaul . As web apps do n’t have to be administer through the App Store , they also do n’t have to pay any fee to Apple for in - app purchases or waitress for the company ’s review process .
Last month , Apple reduced the functionality of PWAs as merewebsite shortcuts with the spill of the second beta of iOS 17.4 , as security department researcherTommy MyskandOpen Web Advocacyhad first pointed out . The troupe then update its developer Sir Frederick Handley Page saying that because of security risks like malicious web apps reading datum from other web apps and accessing cameras , it decided to cease support for homescreen apps .
The iPhone maker pointed toward the Digital Markets Act ( DMA ) conformity as part of the grounds for this conclusion . The act force Apple to open up up the web internet browser ecosystem and not limit developers to only WebKit , allow them to choose a different engine .
Apple also said that PWAs had “ very low user adoption ” so there might not be a lot of impact on user . However , the move did n’t sit well with the regulator so theystarted to look into the issueby sending questions to developer , as reported bythe Financial Times . singly , the Open Web Advocacy group release an open letteraddressed to Tim Cook to hoist the prohibition on web apps , which was signed by one C of organizations and individuals , including Mastodon , internet advocate Cory Doctorow and Vercel CTO Malte Ubl .
Apple ’s reversal only applies to web apps based on WebKit , as9to5Macnoted . Users wo n’t be able to take reward of this functionality if a browser app opt to use a unlike locomotive engine .
European Commission’s reaction
The European Commission welcome Apple ’s determination and said that after the fellowship first blocked World Wide Web apps last month , more than 500 citizens , concern , and public entity submitted their ailment .
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“ A turgid identification number of these stakeholders depend on Home Screen Web Apps to run their business , to commune with employees and customers and citizens , or to receive crucial info and update , ” an EC voice severalize TechCrunch .
The EC also bring that Apple ’s move to block the vane apps under the pretence of DMA submission was “ neither required , nor apologise . ”
We understand some entanglement apps that could have been shut down by Apple ’s move let in apps for public school and hospital scheduling systems and transfer fellowship ’ selective information apps .
Full text of Apple ’s update :
Previously , Apple announced plans to slay the Home Screen web apps capability in the EU as part of our efforts to comply with the DMA . The need to remove the capability was informed by the complex security and privacy concerns associated with web apps to suffer alternative web internet browser engines that would require ramp up a new integration computer architecture that does not currently exist in iOS .
We have received requests to proceed to offer support for Home Screen web apps in iOS , therefore we will continue to offer the live Home Screen WWW apps capability in the EU . This financial backing means Home Screen web apps uphold to be work up directly on WebKit and its security computer architecture , and adjust with the security and privacy model for aboriginal apps on iOS .
Developers and users who may have been impacted by the remotion of Home Screen web apps in the beta release of Io in the EU can expect the return of the existing functionality for Home Screen web apps with the handiness of iOS 17.4 in early March .
The story has been updated with the European Commission ’s remarks .
