Apple recently sent out notifications to some indie developers, warning them that if their app isn’t updated within 30 days, it will be removed from the App Store. The tech giant has had a policy against obsolete and discontinued apps since 2016, but the move suggests it’s now enforcing that rule more rigorously. Some of the recipients of the letters criticized the politics of being a hindrance to indie developers, how difficult it is to keep up with platform changes, and how much work it takes to roll out even a small update. Now Apple has released a post clarifying why some old apps are in danger of being removed, along with announcing that developers have more time to update their applications.
In the post, the company said it will only send removal notifications to developers whose apps haven’t been updated in three years, as well as to developers whose apps “haven’t been downloaded at all or very few times during a rolling 12-month period.” Apple said deleting outdated apps makes newer ones more discoverable and also ensures users can enjoy games and tools optimized for the latest operating systems and devices.
As many people know, older apps no longer work as well on the latest generation of phones, tablets, and laptops, and offer a subpar user experience. Still, 30 days may not be nearly enough time for smaller developers to whip out an update. The good news is that Apple has extended its grace period, giving you up to 90 days to update your apps. Users can keep apps that are already installed on their devices even if they end up being deleted, and developers can still earn from them through microtransactions.
This article was previously published on Source link
