Apple has announced the end of Progressive Web Apps (PWA) on iPhones. The reason: The entry into force of the Digital Markets Act, which, according to the company, causes a lot of security issues. Solution for developers: Publish their own app on the App Store or another app store.
We knew that the Digital Markets Act (DMA) would annoy the big digital companies, but this time, it will force Apple to remove a feature from iOS: “ Progressive Web Applications » (PWA), or Progressive Web Apps. As a reminder, these applications are shortcuts that actually launch the web browser, to display the application on the Internet. This avoids installing the actual app on the smartphone.
European users are deprived of PWAs
it is 9 to 5 make Which saw the change in beta versions of iOS 17.4 intended only for users in the European Union: Progressive Web Applications No longer available. This is not a bug, Apple has confirmed: it will be linked to changes imposed by the Digital Markets Act.
For Apple, this coincides with the end of the obligation to use the WebKit navigation engine for web browsers. In other words, Safari will continue to use WebKit, but Chrome, Firefox, and others will no longer need it. The problem is that PWAs must be able to work with any browser. And Apple cannot prioritize Safari, its browser, over iOS, its operating system, to comply with new laws on the digital market.
According to the company, it had to be made. A completely new integration architecture that doesn’t exist in iOS “due to” Complex security and privacy issues associated with web applications using other browser engines. »
Without security measures on PWAs, some of them ” Read data from other web applications and retrieve their permissions to access a user’s camera, microphone or location without their consent. » Apple states that some browsers Can also install web applications on the system without the user’s knowledge and consent. »
A solution that remains for very little used functionality
The job isn’t interesting enough for Apple, which ” Very little user of home screen web applications “this change” Only a small number of users will be affected », also identifies the company.
However, iOS will still allow you to create shortcuts to websites from the home screen from any browser that offers this functionality, not based on WebKit. Apple recognizes, however, that this may be ” Impact on efficiency“
A regrettable decision since Apple has been working to improve PWAs for several years. Last year, for example, on the occasion of iOS 16.4, notifications and icon badges Progressive Web Applications.
One iOS 17.4 update is more important than the others
iOS 17.4 is currently available in beta and should be released around March. Indeed, the Digital Markets Act, which has already come into force, forces major platforms including iOS to comply with the new rules from March 6, 2024. The end of PWAs isn’t the only change to note in this next version of iPhone. operating system
Among the important changes, is the advent of alternative app stores: you will no longer be forced to use the App Store to download apps. However, Apple found a way ” to block » At least in part its competitors: pay them for every installation. A decision condemned by a number of developers, and which the European Commission will closely study. We may also note the arrival of applications from Cloud Gaming : No need to use your browser anymore.
