A few days ago we knew that one of the changes in iOS 17.4 to comply with the European Union Digital Markets Act was the elimination of web applications on European territory. Indeed, Apple had to comply with LMD requirements related to compatibility with alternative navigation engines to WebKit. However, Apple took a step back and reported that the web applications They will remain available in Europe under iOS 17.4.
Web apps resist Digital Markets Act in iOS 17.4
With iOS 17.4, Apple faces one of the most significant logistical and structural challenges in recent times. This is an update that will completely change the way users interact with iOS and iPadOS. You already know about some changes, such as the presence of third-party application stores or the possibility of new alternative navigation engines. A few weeks ago we explained all the changes to comply with the LMD in this article.
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All Apple changes in Europe explained to everyone
Additionally, Apple Consideration was given to removing web apps from iOS 17.4 because to comply with the LMD would require building a whole new integration architecture that doesn’t currently exist to deal with all kinds of security and privacy issues related to alternative browser engines. Therefore, the option taken by Cupertino has been to eliminate web applications, ensuring that few users also use this tool, which is not true since thousands of applications base their structure on web applications.
A statement that gives new life to iOS 17.4
However, everything seems to have changed as Apple announced that it will keep web apps in iOS 17.4 via a statement released via 9to5mac. This unexpected new twist means that web applications will continue to be based on WebKit and its security architecture, whether added with Safari or another browser engine.
Below we leave you the complete statement issued by Apple:
Previously, Apple announced plans to remove the ability to display web apps on the home screen in the EU as part of our efforts to comply with the DML. The need to remove this feature was due to the complex security and privacy issues associated with web apps supporting alternative browser engines, which would require the creation of a new integration architecture that does not currently exist on iOS .
We have received requests to continue support for home screen web apps on iOS. We will therefore continue to offer the existing home screen web app functionality in the EU. This support means that Home screen web apps continue to rely directly on WebKit and its security architecture, and conform to the security and privacy model of native iOS apps.
Developers and users who were affected by the removal of Home screen web apps in the EU iOS beta can expect the return of existing features for Home screen web apps with the availability of iOS 17.4 in early March.
Furthermore, this statement suggests that iOS 17.4 will arrive in the coming days.
