{"id":51328,"date":"2026-03-20T14:15:47","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T18:15:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=51328"},"modified":"2026-04-01T14:29:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T18:29:33","slug":"updates-to-vibe-coding-apps-rejected-from-the-app-store","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2026\/03\/20\/updates-to-vibe-coding-apps-rejected-from-the-app-store\/","title":{"rendered":"Updates to Vibe Coding Apps Rejected From the App Store"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hartley Charlton<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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Apple has quietly blocked AI “vibe coding” apps, such as Replit and Vibecode, from releasing App Store updates unless they make changes, The Information<\/em><\/a> reports.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

Apple told The Information<\/em> that certain vibe coding features breach long-standing App Store rules prohibiting apps from executing code that alters their own functionality or that of other apps.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

An Apple spokesperson said the policy is not targeted specifically at vibe coding apps.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

If the apps are in breach of longstanding rules, why is it the updates<\/em> that are blocked? It seems like either Apple should have rejected the apps long ago or else they’re trying to retcon the new policy, which remains unclear to me.<\/p>\n\n

Malcolm Owen<\/a> (9to5Mac<\/a>):<\/p>\n

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Report sources say that the apps in question are close to being approved for the App Store again, but after agreeing to make changes to the way they function. These changes include updating previews of the vibe-coded apps, or removing functions like making apps specifically for Apple devices.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

That sounds like removing the core functionality.<\/p>\n\n

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The report adds that there are other apps that exist in the App Store that didn’t get the same limitation, such as Vercel’s v0. Other apps that offer similar capabilities that aren’t coding-specific, such as design app Canva, could potentially be hit by the same issues, since they can be used to create filters, quizzes, and other items using AI.<\/p>\n

For the most part, the report focuses on the issue being one of competition and revenue protection. Apple could lose revenue due to these vibe coding apps creating software that doesn't pass through the App Store itself.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n