Apple’s Recent App Store Update Has Developers And Fans Fuming

Source: Pocket Gamer

The email mentioned that apps that haven't been updated in a long time and is set to be pulled from the App Store in 30 days. 

It mentioned, "No action is required for the app to remain available to users who have already downloaded the app."

Some developers have expressed concern over the notification. Many indie developers have taken to Twitter to express that  Apple is threatening to remove their games from the App Store since it hasn't been updated since March 2019. Others pointed out that while Apple removed a version of their program because it had not been updated in two years, some popular games are still available despite not having been updated since 2015.

Several additional developers who have gotten App Improvement Notices have expressed their concern on Twitter, stating that they simply do not have enough time to update their apps and that some apps exist as "finished objects" that do not require "updates or a live service model."

According to Apple's App Store Improvements page, the company wants to make it easier for users to find amazing apps that meet their needs by ensuring that apps on the App Store are functioning and up-to-date. It has also mentioned that the App Store is starting a new process of analyzing apps and eliminating those that don't work as well as they should, don't follow current review rules, or are old.

Apple has been known to remove programmes from the App Store that haven't been updated in a long time, but it's unclear if this policy has been followed consistently. It's also unclear how Apple defines "a significant amount of time," or whether it refers to compatibility with the most recent version of iOS or the amount of time since the last upgrade.

This is in response to Apple's decision to improve the App Store's user experience. It wants to make it easier for customers to "discover amazing apps that meet their needs" on iOS devices.

The most popular opinion for this seems to be that this is an "unfair barrier to indie devs."

Apple has stated that this new restriction would apply to all apps on the App Store, not just games.

The company maintained that they want to ensure that apps offered on the App Store are functioning and up-to-date to make it easier for users to find exceptional apps that match their needs. They are putting in place a continuous process of analyzing apps and eliminating those that don't work as they should, don't follow current review requirements, or are old.

If you've been using a favorite app, don't worry: it'll still be available and you won't have any problems utilizing it.