Apple recently notices sent to some independent developers, warning them that their app will be removed from the App Store if not updated within 30 days. The tech giant has had a policy against outdated and discontinued apps in place since 2016, but the move suggests it now enforces that rule more rigorously. Some of the recipients of the letters critical the politics of being a roadblock for indie developers, how difficult it is to keep up with platform changes, and how much work it takes to deploy even a minor update. Now Apple has published an article explaining why some old apps are at risk of being removed, as well as announcing that it’s giving developers more time to update their apps.
In the post, the company said it would only send takedown notices to developers whose apps haven’t been updated in three years, as well as developers whose apps haven’t ” been downloaded at all or very few times in a continuous 12 month period”. period.” Apple said the move away from outdated apps makes new ones easier to discover and also ensures users enjoy games and tools that are optimized for its latest operating systems and devices.
As many people know, some older apps no longer work as well on the latest generation of phones, tablets, and laptops, providing poor user experience. Still, 30 days might not be enough for small developers to create an update. The good news is that Apple has extended their grace period and now gives them up to 90 days to update their apps. Users will be able to keep apps already installed on their devices even if they end up being deleted, and developers can continue to earn revenue from them through microtransactions.
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