Apple's Decision to Disable Web Apps Attracts Scrutiny in EU

[KALLT]

Could there possibly be a workaround by using Shortcuts to launch websites in 3rd-party browsers from the homescreen?

You can still add bookmarks to the Home Screen, which open in your default browser. If those bookmarks point to web apps, those should work in your chosen browser like before. Apple is simply removing the functionality by which web apps can be installed to the Home Screen directly and open in their own "app" or window, rather than as a new tab in your browser. This also means that some of the features that are only available to installed web apps are no longer available, such as web push notifications.

We also still have to see how other browsers will work. Other browsers could, e.g., provide push notification support for websites in some way, where Safari does not.

I believe Apple is cutting PWA’s because it helps them increase their access platform fee monetization by forcing all apps - even PWAs - to be installed as such.

I think this is the most believable explanation. I suppose many iOS apps are web-based or embedded web apps already. If browsers like Google Chrome were allowed to create installable web apps that run on Google's web engine instead of WebKit/Safari, Apple could be in serious trouble. Those web apps could compete with apps from the App Store.

Apple likely has more to lose by allowing third-party web apps than by disabling the feature altogether.

 

[1129846]

No, iOS is not perfect when it comes to privacy. It is, however, better than the competitors (like where is Android's setting to turn off cross-app tracking? hmmmm). As I noted earlier, nothing online or with digital technology is perfect when it comes to privacy. The second you get a smartphone or log onto the Internet, you are making trade-offs with your privacy. Just like every time you walk outside your apartment/house into the open air.

The android version of it? It is the exact same as the iOS one. You have to ask permission to get the advertising ID and if the user says no the app returns all 0's for it same as iOS.

Also dont think Apple's privacy blocking is that great. It fairly limited to only that advertising ID which makes going across apps you know own directly near impossible. Now figuring it out between apps not so hard. If you create an account and log in with any of the big SSO's done can cross track you there. Supply an email address again a way to start cross tracking.

Tracking your action in the current app. There are exactly zero restrictions on that and if Apple blocks that all the way that could cause some larger issues as Apple crash tracking is well crap at best as you only get about 5% of the users who supply it but reality a lot of the basic tracking is always done.

 

[MilaM]

No, iOS is not perfect when it comes to privacy.

Here is one thing I really hate in iOS from a privacy perspective. Shared storage between apps from the same vendor. For example, when you log in to one Google app, suddenly all Google apps will know who you are. Works the same way with Meta apps.

And because Apple likes to keep things "simple" there is no way to prevent this.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Apple in full 90's Microsoft evil empire mode. This will end up being Cooks legacy.

 

[ninecows]

Regulations always come at a cost to consumers shareholders. The question is always: is the cost worth it?

There was a typo in your post. Fixed it for you in the quote above.

 

[Algr]

Every fascist regime uses "Security" as it's excuse to eliminate freedom. The market duopoly of Apple/Google is no different.

 

[MilaM]

You can still add bookmarks to the Home Screen, which open in your default browser.

True. But the big advantage of PWAs was that they had seperate storage for cookies and data, even seperate from your regular Safari browsing. Also I think the storage was kept for longer, that was my impression at least. So yes, using Safari works, but you still use some features.

 

[AndiG]

Hehe, fine em, fine em!!! Apple should be fined billions and billions until they finally think different again.

 

[Manzanito]

Shocker. Apple, just tell them to go **** themselves and leave already.

Alas, apple is managed by people that know better.

 

[rorschach]

This isn't about development, as the already-developed feature exists elsewhere. This feature existed in the EU previously and still does in the U.S.

It is, because Apple would have to rearchitect the entire feature to allow for third-party browsers and engines to use it.

It existed previously as something that only worked with Safari and WebKit. If Apple was trying to keep it that way, there would be an argument. But they’re not. There’s no unfair advantage happening. You can access websites via any browser you want. Browsers are free to add features that enhance the “web app” experience. And they are no longer limited by having to use the WebKit engine so they have even more control.

 

[Sevendaymelee]

I tried to warn all you people. I tried to tell you. This is a farce, and Tim Cook needs to call their bluff and warn them that unless they stop this madness, he's going to pack it up and leave. They (the bought politicians) will blink first, guaranteed. There is no way the citizens would ever tolerate such a thing. Trust me.

If Apple keeps giving in, the corrupt overlords will continue to do what they do. It will not stop. Ever.

 

[ninecows]

From the Very Stable Geniuses who brought you the cookie nag screen. One wonders how the EU regulators, with all their know-how and foresight, did not create iOS before Jobs' engineers did.

That nagging cookie screen could be much less naggy if people running the websites were less greedy.

If websites didn’t start to track users across sites for ads, but only used cookies for essential functions like sign in and remember what’s in your shopping card, there wouldn’t be a reason for it in the first place.

Instead you’re nudged into saying yes to all sorts of tracking and the “I only want essential cookies” option is typically hidden 3 clicks away.

Now if the EU really wanted to make a difference here they would have outlawed all non essential cookies. But I bet there was at least one lobbyist from google convincing them about the current solution is better.

 

[SanderEvers]

Sure pal

Don’t think you realise the EU don’t bully each other over the colour of messages. We don’t care.

We’ll buy a Samsung or pixel and be happy.

Apple know others will clean up.

You know both Samsung and Pixel (Google) will have the same issues. Because they're both on Android. If Apple would leave the EU, Android would become a monopoly. Which would be a very difficult future for Google / Android. With lots of additional regulation.

So I'm sure, if Apple would leave the EU (they should, and yes I live in the EU, and yes I want Apple devices), Google would need to do so as well. Then there would be absolutely no new smartphones in the EU, no OS, and no support.

This is also absolutely why I hate the stupid DMA regulation. It is supposed to allow "competition", but it's not. It's basically nothing more than forcing regulation (limitations) on software and hardware design. A digital communism.

 

[Manzanito]

I know it won't happen because, most likely, it does not make business sense for Apple to do so.

But I really really hope and pray that Apple simply says "ENOUGH!!"

And they pull the iPhone OUT of the EU countries, ....seriously !!

What will the EU, and users in the EU, do ??

We’ll just buy android phones and pcs. We’ll be fine, while the geniuses who made the decision would have a lot of explaining to do to their investors.

So, no, as pissed off as they must be, the people calling the shots at apple must not be considering withdrawing from the EU.

 

[IngoX]

But the big advantage of PWAs was that they had seperate storage for cookies and data, even seperate from your regular Safari browsing.

Would not using a web site in a separate Safari profile sort of fulfill the same objective as a PWA then? Minus the notifications, I guess?

 

[AndiG]

You know both Samsung and Pixel (Google) will have the same issues. Because they're both on Android. If Apple would leave the EU, Android would become a monopoly. Which would be a very difficult future for Google / Android. With lots of additional regulation.

So I'm sure, if Apple would leave the EU (they should, and yes I live in the EU, and yes I want Apple devices), Google would need to do so as well. Then there would be absolutely no new smartphones in the EU, no OS, and no support.

This is also absolutely why I hate the stupid DMA regulation. It is supposed to allow "competition", but it's not. It's basically nothing more than forcing regulation (limitations) on software and hardware design. A digital communism.

Look at it from a different point of view.

Apples Security arguments are BS. Their main fear is that WebApps based on Chrome or firefox could be tightly integrated in the OS and kill Apples Appstore, since there is no more need to obey to Apples rules.

 

[spazzcat]

There was a typo in your post. Fixed it for you in the quote above.

It was not a typo, companies pass the cost of regulations on to their customers in all cases.

 

[SanderEvers]

Look at it from a different point of view.

Apples Security arguments are BS. Their main fear is that WebApps based on Chrome or firefox could be tightly integrated in the OS and kill Apples Appstore, since there is no more need to obey to Apples rules.

The issue isn't Chrome or FireFox. Those are quite secure and powerful. But using this regelation ANYONE could make a browser with their own engine. Let's say someone who really doesn't care about security and makes a browser that runs scripts outside of the sandbox. Now that browser is allowed to run PWAs on iOS. Someone then creates a badly designed website that has ads that download malware onto your iPhone and the PWA then runs that script outside of the sandbox.

Within seconds your phone would start behaving strangely and you'll lose all your data.

 

[spazzcat]

Here is one thing I really hate in iOS from a privacy perspective. Shared storage between apps from the same vendor. For example, when you log in to one Google app, suddenly all Google apps will know who you are. Works the same way with Meta apps.

And because Apple likes to keep things "simple" there is no way to prevent this.

I have bad news for you, Google and Meta already know everything about you.

 

[AndiG]

The issue isn't Chrome or FireFox. Those are quite secure and powerful. But using this regelation ANYONE could make a browser with their own engine. Let's say someone who really doesn't care about security and makes a browser that runs scripts outside of the sandbox. Now that browser is allowed to run PWAs on iOS. Someone then creates a badly designed website that has ads that download malware onto your iPhone and the PWA then runs that script outside of the sandbox.

Within seconds your phone would start behaving strangely and you'll lose all your data.

Ah, Messages is the way to attack an iPhone. It would be a pleasure if we could disable this beast and replace it with something sleek, simple and safe.

And not everyone can create a browser. Html5 is so hard to implement, that today there are mainly two rendering engines: WebKit and Gecko (Blink is a clone of Webkit and so is edge).
Apple could have made the html5 testsuite a precondition - problem solved.

 

[AndiG]

Ah, Messages is the way to attack an iPhone. It would be a pleasure uf we could disable this beast and replace it with something sleek, simple and safe.

And not everyone can create a browser. Html5 is so hard to implement, that today there are mainly two rendering engines: WebKit and Gecko (Blink is a clone of Webkit and so is edge).
Apple could have made the html5 testsuite a precondition - problem solved.

And the Firefox rendering engine is written in Rust!!

 

[MilaM]

I have bad news for you, Google and Meta already know everything about you.

Don't konw if this is true, but at least they can at least give me the illusion of anonymity.

 

[hans1972]

Wild how Android has had progressive web apps AND third-party browsers for all these years, and yet there doesn't seem to be a streak of people getting hacked via PWAs on there.

That's because the security model and architecture of iOS and Android is different.

 

[hans1972]

To TL;DR the situation: Apple is forced to allow alternative web engines (other than Webkit) to run on the iPhone. Progressive Web Apps over the alternative web engines could have close to full access to the hardware (unlike over Webkit) effectively allowing developers to create web apps that almost feel native and break completely free from Apple's control.

Which is why I support Apple. I don't want web apps to succeed. I want native apps.

 

[hans1972]

Apple has been flagrantly abusing their duopoly for years. The consequences are well deserved, even if the details don't meet to everyone's preferences. If Apple had played fair with their customers, we'd all be supporting them now.

I think Apple has been very fair to me as a customer. I don't want anything of the DMA.
I have been quite pleased with the way Apple has treated developers.