[960design]

HELL NO! Download an app to basically virtualize (allow complete tracking ) an application. iOS and now iPadOS have allowed direct “app”installs for 10 years. Progressive web applications currently could be written for most native applications and deployed on just about any platform.

[ThatPlayer]

PWAs are crippled by Apple's refusal to support browser features. Something as simple as a notification is impossible.

[musicale]

Google's vision: Web Party People! Web apps can (eventually) use all native APIs and device functionality.

Apple's vision: VIPs Only! Full access to native APIs and all device functionality is only permitted from apps approved by Apple, and even then it's fairly strictly controlled. But you can stream games (e.g. Luna) and video in Safari if you want to.

Fortunately nobody's forcing you to buy an iOS or Android device.

[akmarinov]

PWAs suck on iOS though. At the very least they delete your data after 10 days.

[anshumankmr]

I have had Whatsapp Web for months on my iPad. Doesn’t work that well, but I can reply to someone if I do not have my phone nearby. It doesn’t delete my data though, that’s for sure.,

[akmarinov]

Try not using it for 10 days