Apple has disabled Progressive Web Apps for EU users 'due to DMA compliance'

Apple has confirmed the disabling of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) functionality in the European Union with the release of iOS 17.4 beta 2. The move was not due to a temporary issue or bug, but a deliberate and permanent decision, citing concerns over support for alternative browser engines and associated security risks as the reason for the removal.

Previously, Home Screen web apps in the EU were built on WebKit security architecture, which was in line with iOS's privacy and security model for native apps. Apple emphasized the necessity of storage isolation and system prompts for site-specific privacy functions, warning that without such measures, malicious web apps could access user's camera, microphone, and location without permission.

Building a new integration architecture to address these security issues is deemed impractical by Apple, given the demands of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and low user adoption of PWAs. EU iOS users can still access websites directly from the Home Screen via bookmarks, but web apps will now open in default browsers like Safari with limited support for long-term local storage and notifications. This change is seen by many as another instance of a malicious 'compliance theater', including the new €0.50 Core Technology Fee per annual app install for each user who uses their app outside the Apple App Store.