Apple has notified developers that apps and games that have not been updated for two years may be removed from the App Store.
The change is part of Apple’s App Store improvement plan to make the online store easier to use and ensure customers “find great apps that fit their needs” that are compatible with newer iOS devices.
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In an email to Protopop Games, Apple reportedly said: “The app has not been updated for a long time and is scheduled to be removed within 30 days. The app will continue to be available to owners without any action required. user of the app.” has downloaded the app.
“You can enable new users to discover and download this app in the App Store by submitting an update for review within 30 days. If an update is not submitted within 30 days, the app will be removed.”
I feel sick. Apple just sent me an email saying they are removing my free game Motivoto because it is over 2 years old.
This is part of their app improvement system.
It’s not cool. Console games from 2000 are still available.
This is an unfair hurdle for indie developers. pic.twitter.com/7XNcLfiEcR
— Protopop Games (@protopop) April 23, 2022
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“That’s not cool,” the developer tweeted in response to an email. “Console games from 2000 can still be sold. That’s an unfair barrier to indie developers.
“I’m sitting here on a Friday night, trying my best [the] After my day job, doing my best to make a living from my indie games, trying to keep up with the changes in Apple, Google, Unity, Xcode, MacOS that are happening so fast and how it behaves on older devices worse,” the developer added.
Apple confirmed that the changes affect all apps, not just games, and Apple employees will get in touch with developers if they encounter any issues with apps in the store.
“To make it easier for customers to find great apps that fit their needs, we want to ensure that the apps available on the App Store are functional and up-to-date. We are implementing an ongoing app evaluation process to remove those that don’t meet the requirements. App. Longer functionality as expected, does not follow current review guidelines, or is outdated,” Apple said.
As Apple explained in an email to developers, even if your favorite app or game is removed from the store, you shouldn’t have any issues using it, including microtransactions.
ICYMI, a new EU law could be passed that would force Apple to allow users to install third-party apps on their devices, a process known as sideloading. The law, known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), has yet to be passed by the European Parliament, but if passed, it could be implemented as early as October.
That means Apple will be forced to allow users to access third-party stores and third-party apps — a practice the company strongly discourages because it could compromise security.
