Apple confirms home screen web apps will no longer work on European iOS devices

Vernon Shorts 9 months ago 2 min read

Title: Apple Disables Web Apps in EU Following European Digital Markets Act

In a significant development, tech giant Apple has decided to disable progressive web apps (PWAs) in the European Union (EU) due to new regulations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The decision has raised concerns surrounding browser competition and user experience.

European users will now be greeted with a message asking if they would prefer to open web apps in Apple’s Safari browser or cancel the action altogether. Apple claims that the complex security and privacy concerns associated with PWAs using alternative browser engines drove their decision to disable them.

However, the Open Web Advocacy organization disagrees, accusing Apple of deliberately obfuscating the issue and highlighting a lack of genuine browser competition. They argue that PWAs offer a valuable alternative to traditional apps and provide users with greater flexibility.

The unexpected change was initially presumed to be a bug in the second iOS 17.4 beta release, but it soon became clear that Apple had intentionally disabled web apps. This move is expected to generate friction, considering the DMA’s goal of breaking the App Store’s monopoly.

Criticism towards Apple’s compliance with the DMA has been mounting, with accusations of extortion over the fees charged to developers seeking to bypass the App Store. The tech giant has already faced scrutiny for its stance on protecting its App Store revenue and limiting competition.

The decision to disable PWAs in the EU is likely to have a major impact on developers and users accustomed to the convenience and functionality of web apps. With PWAs being a popular alternative to traditional app development, the move restricts access to a wide range of services.

As Apple faces growing pressure to comply with EU regulations, the disabling of web apps further highlights the ongoing battle between the tech giant and European authorities. This maneuver will undoubtedly fuel the debate regarding fair competition and market dominance within the digital space.

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