Progressive Web Apps: Apple revokes planned end from iOS 17.4!

Our BCS WebApp would also have been affected by Apple's original announcement in February 2024. Anyone using the BCS app or other PWAs on an iPhone within the EU would no longer have been able to use them to their full extent from an update to iOS 17.4. Key features, such as the offline capability of the BCS app, would have been lost. The update will be released before March 7.

Resistance from developers: open letter to Tim Cook

In an open letter to Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, published on February 26, 2024, the more than 5000 signatories expressed their concern and anger about Apple's decision to remove web apps (PWAs) from iOS and Safari in the European Union and are exercising their rights under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

They argue that this measure does not improve the security of user data, but rather impairs interoperability and diversity. The signatories are calling on Apple to preserve the essential functions for web apps and to ensure fair competition on its platforms.

How did Apple react?

Apple responded promptly - unexpectedly in the form of a 180° turnaround, writing in its iOS 17.4 notes to developers:

"We have received requests to continue offering support for Home Screen web apps in iOS, so we will continue to offer the existing Home Screen web app feature in the EU. This support means that Home Screen web apps will continue to build directly on WebKit and its security architecture, and will be consistent with the security and privacy model for native apps on iOS. Developers and users who were affected by the removal of home screen web apps in the beta version of iOS in the EU can expect the return of existing functionality for home screen web apps with the availability of iOS 17.4 in early March."

What does this mean for the BCS WebApp?

Only users of Apple iPhones within the EU would have been affected by limited functionality anyway. Users of other operating systems or users outside the EU would have been able to continue using the BCS WebApp before Apple's withdrawal. For iPhone users, however, the offline capability of the WebApp would have been lost.

However, this is a decisive advantage of the BCS app, as it allows users to record expenses, contacts or working hours even when there is no Internet connection or when it is not possible to use the company's internal network when visiting customers. The entered data is then transferred to the BCS server as soon as a connection is re-established.

Now iPhone users can also breathe a sigh of relief: the BCS WebApp remains fully functional for you - even after an update to iOS 17.4 and subsequent versions.