Apple removing old apps from the App Store


The Verge:

Apple may be cracking down on apps that no longer receive updates. In a screenshotted email sent to affected developers, titled "App Improvement Notice," Apple warns it will remove apps from the App Store that haven't been "updated in a significant amount of time" and gives developers just 30 days to update them.

"You can keep this app available for new users to discover and download from the App Store by submitting an update for review in 30 days," Apple writes in the email. "If no update is submitted in 30 days, the app will be removed from sale."

The Verge reports developers are receiving notices for apps that have not been updated in two years. The site also reported that Apple has a webpage detailing the effort to remove apps that no longer function as intended, do not follow review guidelines, or are outdated.

If removed, apps will remain on the user's devices, however, will not be available to download if it is offloaded or if the device is restored from iCloud.

Some developers are upset saying the app doesn't require an update. On the flip side, there's likely a need to prune abandoned apps from the store. A lot of apps may not function correctly with current devices and iOS and may pose security risks. Also, lack of updates could be a way to sidestep Apple's new privacy transparency effort, which kicks in on updated apps.