In these days Apple informed the developers that apps and games that haven’t been updated for at least two years may be removed from the App Store. An update that aims to make the online store easier to use. In this way, in fact, users have the opportunity to find “fantastic Apps suited to their needs”, compatible with all iOS devices.
App Store: Apple will remove outdated apps within two years
Apple will remove all those applications from the App Store that have not been updated for at least two years. An update highlighted by the sviluppatore Protopop Games, who received an email about the MotiVoto App. “This App has not been updated for a significant period of time and is expected to be removed from sale within 30 days. No action is required for the App to remain available for users who have already downloaded the App. You can keep this App available for new users to discover and download from the App Store by submitting an update for review within 30 days. If no update is sent within 30 days, the App will be removed from sale “.
I feel sick. Apple just sent me an email saying they’re removing my free game Motivoto because its more than 2 years old.
It’s part of their App improvement system.
This is not cool. Console games from 2000 are still available for sale.
This is an unfair barrier to indie devs. pic.twitter.com/7XNcLfiEcR
— Protopop Games (@protopop) April 23, 2022
“It’s not nice – replied the developer with a tweet -. Console games from 2000 are still available for sale. This is an unfair obstacle for independent developers “. “There was no indication of the type of upgrade to be made. Except that the App needs to be updated or will be removed – he added -. Now I have to retrieve my project file, update the Unity version to make sure it meets the App Store requirements, rebuild, test again, resubmit everything to get the exact same game in the exact same place it was before ” . Prototop Games’ outrage is shared by other developers. In fact, quite a few complaints have appeared on Twitter in recent days. Yet Apple doesn’t seem willing to change strategy.
Should staff encounter any problems with Apple’s App Store applications, then they will contact the developers immediately. “To make it easier for customers to find great apps that fit their needs, we want to ensure that the apps available on the App Store are functional and up-to-date. We are implementing an ongoing app evaluation process, removing apps that no longer work as expected, do not follow current review guidelines, or are out of date. ” So Apple responds to the negative comments of the developers. In any case, the company explained that the Apps and games will remain usable even if removed from the Store. Everything will work as usual, including microtransactions. Except that the Store will no longer host obsolete applications. Could it be good?