We are developing a mobile-first, browser-only web application that requires users to upload 20–200 images stored inside a single folder (for example, a merchant product directory).
On iOS Safari:
- window.showDirectoryPicker() is not supported.
- <input type="file" webkitdirectory> is not supported.
- File System Access API is not available.
- Users must manually multi-select images from the Photos picker.
This creates significant friction for bulk upload workflows.
We are NOT requesting unrestricted file system access.
We are asking whether a privacy-preserving, user-granted folder-scoped permission model is being considered for web applications. For example:
- User explicitly selects a folder.
- The web app receives scoped access only to that selected folder.
- Access is session-bound and revocable.
- No background or global storage access is required.
Questions:
- Is folder-level access for web apps being considered for iOS Safari?
- Does installing a PWA provide any enhanced file access capability?
- Are there recommended best practices for handling bulk image uploads in browser-only iOS applications?
- Is there any roadmap alignment with the File System Access API standard?
Our goal is to remain browser-only and maintain strict user privacy while improving usability for high-volume image workflows.
Any clarification on intended platform direction would be appreciated.