[tshaddox]

But it's totally a valid option to have an app that is a web app and does not have push notifications. For the vast majority of apps regardless of platform, I absolutely do not want push notifications. It seems bizarre to consider that feature as a litmus test for whether the web is a usable platform on iPhones. Would you also require web apps to appear in the App Store in order to consider a web as a usable platform on iPhones?

[enumjorge]

That’s a fair point, but I’d argue that for cases where the app really needs notifications (for example an alerting system) or when the users want them, building a web app is not actually an alternative even if Apple considers it one.

[tshaddox]

I don't think Apple considers the web as an alternative platform for apps that are designed to alert you at any time of day for any reason, including when you are not actively using your devices. I think this is a very, very good thing, and doesn't mean that web apps are not a viable alternative to the App Store.

[adam12]

I'm creating a chess pwa that should notify the user when their opponent has moved.

I don't think this web app is going to do as well on Apple devices because of the lack of notifications and also the difficulty to add to home screen.

BTW, you have to give the web app permission to notify. It's not like native apps.

Apple has clearly crippled PWAs to maintain their walled garden.