Apple to end support for web-based apps for iPhone users in the region: Why this matters

Apple has released a new iOS 17.4 beta version for iPhone users, which for the first time offers two options for different markets. The company is complying with new European Union (EU) regulations that force Apple to open iOS to third-party app stores, third-party billing systems and more.

However, EU rules also require Apple to allow other web browsers to run as standalone apps, meaning iPhone users in those regions won’t be able to access web apps available on the home screen. Apple realizes that making changes to accommodate other web engines could compromise its own security standards, and to avoid these issues, the company has decided to remove Progressive Web Apps from the iOS 17.4 beta in the EU.

Basically, Apple is hinting that it could be facing a privacy nightmare because web apps could gain unwanted access from iPhone users. The concerns also involve the possible intrusion of malicious web apps that could be used to access a phone’s camera, microphone and even collect its location data. Web apps are an important part of the mobile ecosystem, and developers continue to invest in them for Android and iOS users.

Apple’s abandonment of PWAs does sound like a huge shock to the community, but the company believes the impact of its decision will be minimal. Therefore, those using iOS 17.4 beta iPhone users in Europe will be able to use these web apps through Safari or any other browser that is default on the iPhone.

Apple’s concerns about opening iOS to other platforms focus primarily on security. Allowing iPhone users to sideload apps means it doesn’t have complete control over the types of apps people are installing. However, the changes are limited to the EU region, at least for now, so this should help the company monitor and filter out bad apples.