Apple has taken a pretty big step forward in how iPhone users in the European Union will interact with its progressive web apps. Such a move, based on Apple’s decision to end support for these apps in iOS 17.4, is quite a dilemma for both developers and users.

The EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) has very strict requirements for web applications

You may ask why Apple took this position? The company’s decision is a result of the complex requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the EU; Significant architectural changes are required to comply with this law. Apple noted that it is not possible to comply with these requirements by developing a new integration architecture under current conditions. This decision will specifically affect how web apps that were once able to run, as well as native apps with features like notifications and data storage, will run on iOS devices.

With iOS 17.4, what was once a standalone web app will now serve only as a bookmark. The change was made in response to the DMA’s mandate that allows third-party browsers to use their own mechanisms, unlike Apple’s WebKit, which underpins iOS web apps, while ensuring they comply with the platform’s security and privacy standards.

The consequences of this change are multifaceted. While Apple talks about security concerns and the potential for malicious web apps to take advantage of these new freedoms, it’s hard not to see the broader context. This includes the ongoing debate over app store fees and how companies like Facebook Gaming use web apps to get around those costs.

Apple expects the change to affect a minimal number of users, citing the low adoption rate of web apps on the home screen. Despite this, the company regrets the inconvenience caused to developers and users due to this compatibility-focused solution.