Does app store or Play Store allow apps that have a WebView only to my site?

Question

I want to publish an app witch contains a WebView to my site only and thats the whole app. Like Mobile Web app but comes from the stores. Does app store or Play Store allow apps that have a WebView only to my site?

Ripieno

Is this question on-topic for SO? Seems like it should be closed. – Severally

i found this link to be interesting. anyone can shed some lights? it described apple's attitude towards html pages developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/… – Androcles

Answer 1

Yes, you can published an app which contains just a WebView of your own website. Please note that according to Google Play Developer Program Policies, it's not allowed to publish apps that provide a WebView of a website you don't own or administer:

Do not post an app where the primary functionality is to:

Provide a webview of a website not owned or administered by you (unless you have permission from the website owner/administrator to do so)

Reference: http://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy.html

According to Apple's App Store Review Guidelines, apps which are just web views are not allowed:

4.2 Minimum Functionality

Your app should include features, content, and UI that elevate it beyond a repackaged website. If your app is not particularly useful, unique, or “app-like,” it doesn’t belong on the App Store.

Reference: https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#functionality

Debrief

Hi 10x first of all. What about apple appstore? – Ripieno

According to the App Store Review Guidelines, Apple will reject simple WebView apps without any additional functionality. – Debrief

For apple store, if you add any native functionality like push notification, location ..., most likely they will accept it. At least they did for us. – Vincenz

I submitted to review an application with web-view and push notification function, but Apple still does not approve it... – Trangtranquada

Is this still true and if so, then how does Trusted Web Activities (TWA) fit in? – Balmuth

I've updated this answer to the latest App Store guidelines as of July 2020. – Trounce

For the Play Store, I can't find the quoted section anymore; the closest is Minimum Functionality which basically only states that your app must work and do something :') – Trounce

How to prove that I'm the owner? – Drawtube

@Trangtranquada : Is it approved – Outbuilding

Answer 2

Yes You can but when you implement webview in your application few things must keep in mind Webviews and Affiliate Spam We don’t allow apps whose primary purpose is to drive affiliate traffic to a website or provide a webview of a website without permission from the website owner or administrator.

Here are some examples of common violations:

An app whose primary purpose is to drive referral traffic to a website to receive credit for user sign-ups or purchases on that website. Apps whose primary purpose is to provide a webview of a website without permission: Google play Developer Policy Center link

Loire

Can i Publish a App with webview of an e-commerce website: bhartimart.in ? – Minter

how to prove that I'm the owner? – Drawtube

how do app store make sure developers don't suddenly switch their contents to some inappropriate information it everything solely comes from webview? – Androcles