Why I Abandoned iOS for Android: Embracing Progressive Web Apps

Last Monday I was thrilled to start a new Progressive Web App prototype for a former client, but I quickly realized that the shiny iPhone hardware was not as compatible with web apps as my old, battered Android phone.

Seeing the iPhone’s limitations, I bought a Nexus 6P, joined the Google Fi program, and decided to leave iOS behind after seven years.

What’s wrong with iOS?

Apple introduced iOS SDK and the App Store, but its web platform never fully supported the vision of web apps running like native apps. Safari added some support for web apps that could be added to the home screen, yet the performance and API access remained limited, making web apps second‑class citizens on iOS.

Android’s advantage

Google positioned Android as an open alternative, and over time its browsers (Chrome, Opera, Firefox) added features such as WebRTC, WebBluetooth, WebNFC, and Service Workers. These advances, combined with Chrome’s flag system, turned Android into the best platform for building installable web apps.

What is a Progressive Web App?

A PWA is built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, runs offline, can be launched from the home screen, appears in the Android app switcher as a separate app, and can receive background notifications. When properly built, users install it instantly without waiting for large binary downloads.

Real‑world impact

Flipkart’s PWA (Flipkart Lite) showed that 40% of users are repeat visitors, 63% of conversions come from home‑screen access, and users spend three times longer on the mobile site.

Implications for developers

Web developers can now create fast, offline‑capable apps that run cross‑platform without paying App Store fees or enduring approval delays. iOS still lacks full Service Worker support, but web apps still work, albeit without offline or push capabilities. Tools like Cordova or React Native can bridge gaps, yet the open web remains the most equitable platform.

Original article: “Why I switched to Android after 7 years of iOS” – translated by CodeCEO.