Sajid Javid has announced that the controversial Brexit app for EU citizens’ residency rights will finally work on iPhones.

The home secretary has struck a deal with Apple a year after the Home Office was ridiculed for developing an app that only fully worked on Android phones, even though iPhones account for 48% of the market.

“I’ve had numerous conversations with Apple at the highest levels to ensure everyone can use the app. Together we’ve been working hard to find a solution that will allow the app to work on their devices.

“I’m pleased to confirm that Apple will be making the necessary changes and the app will be working on their mobile and tablet devices by the end of the year,” he said.

The government launched the new app last year in a series of tests but it quickly emerged that the ID verification element did not work on iPhones.

The Home Office was heavily criticised after officials suggested that EU citizens could “borrow someone else’s phone”.

Javid’s announcement comes as the government rolls out the registration process for EU citizens who are settled in the country or who want to settle in the country after Brexit.

A £3.75m national advertising campaign has also been launched advising EU citizens that they must apply for “settled status” unless they are Irish or, if they have lived in the UK for less than five years, apply for “pre-settled status” to remain after Brexit.

EU citizens can apply by phone or on a website but must get their ID documents scanned through the app or physically verified by posting their ID or visiting one of 50 passport check-in centres being opened around the country from Saturday.

Javid he wanted to make it “crystal clear” that the scheme would continue whatever the outcome of Brexit negotiations. The registration programme will remain open until June 2021 in the event of a deal or December 2020 in the event of no deal.

“We’re committed to ensuring that people in every corner of the UK know what they need to do to secure their status,” he said.