Apple seems to be adding push notifications for web apps to iOS 15.4

Apple seems to want to add push notifications for web apps and PWAs to iOS 15.4. A developer notes that in the beta. There is also support for the WebXR API, which allows the use of AR and VR headsets in the browser.

The feature to make web apps show push notifications is in Safari’s experimental features, but it doesn’t work yet, developer Maximiliano Firtman says. Presumably the dialog to allow notifications is not visible. Web apps and progressive web apps can send notifications on macOS, but not yet on iOS. Support for PWAs on iOS has lagged behind Android for years.

The Push API is also among Safari’s experimental features, but it doesn’t work yet either. In addition, for pwas it is no longer necessary to create a separate icon that can serve as an app icon; the operating system now automatically takes it from the Web App Manifest. Pwas are visible in iOS search, but are still absent from the App Library, claims Firtman.

The support for WebXR ensures that users in the browser content that uses that standard. It’s there, but it’s not turned on yet. It is unknown why Apple is building that in. There have been rumors about a VR headset from the manufacturer for a few years now. Apple recently released the first beta of iOS 15.4. The final version of the operating system will be released in a few weeks to months.

Push notifications for web apps in iOS 15.4. Source: Maximilian Firtman, Firt.dev