Apple Clearing App Store Clutter
Finding useful software in the App Store is about to get easier. Apple is apparently preparing to remove what it describes as “opportunistic” apps that provide little value to iPhone and iPad users.
It already had a policy of not approving applications that are “indistinguishable from what’s already widely available.” This week, it quietly warned developers that it will start removing low-value software that doesn’t attract attention from users.
4.3 (b) Don’t submit apps that are indistinguishable from what's already widely available. Opportunistically creating variants of existing app categories or popular apps degrades App Store discovery, reduces overall app quality, and harms both users and developers. Certain kinds of apps, such as dating, flashlight, sound effects, wallpaper, simple timers, and fortune telling, are well established on the App Store and we will not accept new submissions unless they offer a meaningfully different or improved experience. We may remove these apps from the App Store going forward if they are not updated, improved, or do not attract customers. Other kinds of apps, such as drinking games, Kama Sutra, fart, and burp apps, are mediocre, low-quality, or low-effort and do not add value to the App Store. Repeated submissions of this kind may lead to removal from the Apple Developer Program.
Previously:
- Updates to Vibe Coding Apps Rejected From the App Store
- Apple’s Explanation for Removing Old Apps
- App Store Removing Old Apps That Still Work
- Wordle Clones
- App Store Competition
- How to Game the App Store
- Removing Abandoned Apps and Shorter App Names
- Removing Unmaintained Apps from the App Store
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Wow that's horrible. The App Store registration to submit an app costs $99, so far. How dare they not to accept some kind of apps...
Who decides if a new timer app does something meaningfully better than all the crappy existing ones? Some rando in App Review?
It's not Apple's job to decide what app is adding value for the user and what is not. Especially with their low quality reviewers who for sure have a rejection quota.
I have an app that has a lot of downloads and a large number of daily active users. It was an app I made in a single day when I was a rookie and was mainly a learning exercise. The app remains popular. I don't update it soo often. Do I understand its popularity? Not really. So yeah let the people pick the winners. And stop letting devs game the App Store by manipulating ratings and buying reviews. Start there.
I get that they are getting flooded with submissions from vibers but announcements like this don't sit right with me. I probably will shit a brick if an app reviewer classifies my submission as "opportunistic."
Those early basic apps that new devs make when they are first getting started are important. It is a way to grow.
I can understand the reasoning, as AI-written app are flooding the ApStore with crap. But what doesn't make any sense is how Apple can both (1) simply remove apps like this while claiming (2) in most places they have a monopoly on what can be installed on their devices. Lawsuits, anyone?
