Following the release of the second beta version of iOS 17.4, it emerged that Apple had restricted the functionality of iOS web apps in the EU. Web apps could no longer launch from the Home Screen in their own top-level window that takes up the entire screen, relegating them to a simple shortcut with an option to open within Safari instead.
The move was heavily criticized by groups like Open Web Advocacy, which started a petition in an effort to persuade Apple to reverse the change, and it even caught the attention of the European Commission. Now, Apple has backtracked and says that Home Screen web apps that use WebKit in the EU will continue to function as expected upon the release of iOS 17.4.
Oh look, the EU threatens to investigate and potentially fine them, and suddenly there IS a way to preserve “security and privacy” with web apps. It’s almost like the initial reasoning for the change was complete bullshit!
It’s still only halfway there, but at least they are not removing existing functionality anymore. Let’s see how the EU likes this new “only WebKit” restriction.
Great news! Web apps represent the democratization of mobile apps, empowering independent developers free from the constraints of the App Stores
Ability to add any app repositories would be much better.
It would be good, but not better. Why do people like apps so much? I hate them… Like, there is so much browsers can do these days, there is no point in having to install so much crap on our phones…
Why would I have to download an app that has so many permissions, syphon my data, run in the background and drain my battery, when 90% of the stuff can stay in the browser?
The only few advantages I can think off that an app can bring are the following:
- they can work offline, some of them at least, half my apps probably won’t
- better security, that’s mostly for bank apps, not really needed for many other cases
- marginally faster load times
- higher complexity, devs have a bit more freedom I guess
Most use cases don’t require either of these.
No one is saying you should have to. Any site that forces you to download an app on mobile is shitty.
They’re saying there should be an option for devs and users that want to use it. Web apps shouldn’t be the only way of reaching the smartphone audiences if you don’t want to go through the Apple App Store.
higher complexity, devs have a bit more freedom I guess
That isn’t a minor thing.
