Apple is reversing its previous decision to remove web app functionality for EU users starting with iOS 17.4, which launches next week.
The solution is simple: WebKit
Apple states it will "continue to offer the existing web apps on the home screen in the EU." The change comes after the EU stated a few days ago that it would investigate Apple's restriction. The company has previously defended the change.
Here is Apple's statement in full:
“Previously, Apple announced plans to remove the home screen web apps feature in the EU as part of our efforts to comply with the DMA. The need to remove the feature was taken due to the complex security and privacy concerns associated with web apps to support alternative browser engines that would require building a new integration architecture that does not currently exist in iOS.
We have received requests to continue to offer support for home screen web apps in iOS, so we will continue to offer existing home screen web apps in the EU.
This support means that web apps for the home screen continue to be built directly on WebKit and its security architecture, aligning with the security and privacy model of native apps on iOS. Developers and users who may have been affected by the removal of home screen web apps in the iOS beta in the EU can expect the existing functionality to return with the availability of iOS 17.4 in early March.”