{"id":29226,"date":"2020-06-16T15:57:35","date_gmt":"2020-06-16T19:57:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=29226"},"modified":"2022-01-15T14:50:11","modified_gmt":"2022-01-15T19:50:11","slug":"hey-rejected-from-the-app-store","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/16\/hey-rejected-from-the-app-store\/","title":{"rendered":"HEY Rejected From the App Store"},"content":{"rendered":"

David Heinemeier Hansson<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

We celebrated too soon with getting Apple’s approval for HEY in the App Store. Yes, v1.0 was approved, but now we’ve been denied our v1.0.1 update, which has important bug fixes, because we don’t do IAP.<\/p>\n

It’s really sad that Apple has such a capricious and inconsistent review process. What’s OK one minute might not be OK the next. If we have to bite our nails every single time we push out a bug fix, we’re not going to have any nails left in a fortnight!<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

We’ve been dealing with the App Store for years at Basecamp. We’ve submitted to all their (ridiculous) requirements.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

David Heinemeier Hansson<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

HEY is doing exactly what Basecamp is doing, is doing exactly what Netflix is doing. Offering a subscription service that must be purchased on the web, then a client in the App Store to access that.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

We don’t use the App Store for our Mac app for this reason. But we have no choice but to use the App Store for iOS. It’s the monopoly store in apple mobile town.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

David Heinemeier Hansson<\/a> (Hacker News<\/a>):<\/p>\n

\n

Wow. I’m literally stunned. Apple just doubled down on their rejection of HEY’s ability to provide bug fixes and new features, unless we submit to their outrageous demand of 15-30% of our revenue. Even worse: We’re told that unless we comply, they’ll REMOVE THE APP.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

It’s clear that Apple feel like they’re now so far above the trifling concerns of antitrust law that even while under the scrutiny of regulators and justice departments on TWO CONTINENTS, they can still afford to tighten the screws. Gotta make that pivot to services pay!!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

David Heinemeier Hansson<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

We did everything we were supposed to with the iOS app. […] You can’t sign up, because Apple says no. We don’t mention subscriptions. You can’t upgrade. You can’t access billing. We did all of it! Wasn’t enough.<\/p>\n

We’ve been in the App Store with Basecamp for YEARS. We know the game. It was always rigged. It was always customer-hostile, deeply confusing, but the unstated lines were reasonably clear. Now Apple has altered the deal, and all we can do is prey they don’t alter it further.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n