Emoji Apps No Longer Welcome in App Store Following Native iOS 6 Support

[MacRumors]

Apple's iOS devices have long carried at least partial support for emoji, picture characters popular for text messaging in Japan but also gaining interest in countries around the world. Initially the feature was unlocked only for Japanese customers, but over time the company has broadened access to emoji and now supports several hundred emoji characters for all users once they enable the special emoji keyboard.

With iOS 6 bringing expanded emoji support, it appears that Apple is beginning to address the significant number of emoji apps in the App Store, sending out notices to developers informing them that their apps have been removed from the store because they are no longer useful given the built-in emoji support now available. MacRumors has heard from several developers who received such notices, and a number of other developers have mentioned them on Twitter, so it does appear to be a concerted effort by Apple.

Hello XXXX,

We are writing to let you know your app, XXXX, has been removed from the App Store because it is no longer needed to unlock Emoji.

Since iOS 6 now provides Emoji support to all users, your app is no longer in compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines

2.12 Apps that are not very useful, are simply web sites bundled as apps, or do not provide any lasting entertainment value may be rejected

If you have questions about the removal of your application, please contact App Review at appreview@apple.com. Please include the App ID and the name of your application in your email.

Thank you and best regards,

App Review

While Apple's notices state that the apps have been removed from the App Store, they do in fact seem to still be available, so it is unclear exactly what Apple's timeline for taking the apps down may be.

A number of the developers have noted that Apple seems to be targeting any app listing emoji among its features, not just those that are designed solely to enable emoji characters. Consequently, these developers argue that their apps are indeed useful and provide functionality beyond that offered in iOS 6 itself.

Article Link: Emoji Apps No Longer Welcome in App Store Following Native iOS 6 Support

[SimonTheSoundMa]

2.12 Apps that are not very useful, are simply web sites bundled as apps, or do not provide any lasting entertainment value may be rejected

That's 2/3rds of the apps in the App Store then.

[chainprayer]

What about people with older devices that don't want to or can't upgrade to iOS 6?

[joelisfar]

I thought native emoji support came in iOS 5

[Crispy Duck]

Some of them were even charging money for something that is built in.

[ArtOfWarfare]

Originally Posted by joelisfar

I thought native emoji support came in iOS 5

It did, so it's odd that Apple would wait until now to do this.

Here's hoping they don't decide to take down Quick Clips... it handles thousands of special characters, emoji included, and took me ~4 months to develop last year. Not that it's actually paid off in any way now... say, maybe with "competing" apps going down, if mine stays up, it might actually get some attention?

[TalkAboutApple]

I hate dumb corporate types who write crap like this. They should include PR in addition to Legal when they are reviewing. If I was a developer I'd be pretty tweaked at this and spread the word.

[FSMBP]

Originally Posted by chainprayer

What about people with older devices that don't want to or can't upgrade to iOS 6?

Emojis were brought in iOS 5. If your device isn't compatible with iOS 5, I'm guessing your iPhone 3G or original iPhone would have to make due by quickly downloading those Emoji apps.

[trainwrecka]

Good. Those apps just cluttered the App Store.

[brock2621]

Meh, who cares? They didn't take long to build so they aren't out much, and the ones in iOS 6 are perfect to express "emotions." Less cluttered app store, less time app approval teams have to waste on apps like this, and more time for them to approve Google Maps app faster

[STiNG Operation]

These apps were such a scam. Only iOS users could see them when received lol. I just use copy and paste's site for symbols when texting another non iOS device.

[theanimaster]

... and what of the Emoji apps for MAC?? I downloaded two (the first one sucked ass... can't believe I paid for that crap) and the one I currently use doesn't have the additional Emojis that the iOS6 introduced. The developer's site doesn't work either.

[Meandmunch]

The Android store can fill up with all the useless Crap Apps, I for one appreciate some level of quality control.

[ALMF]

i felt like all those apps were scams anyways. good, out with the garbage in the store.

[glap1922]

I've never wanted or downloaded one of these apps, but it is nice to know that if you spend the time to make something people want Apple will just pull the plug on your app once they decide to implement it themselves.

[gotluck]

Heh, I never knew there was native support. I doubt I'm the only one the keyboard has to be added manually - at least in 5.1.1

[coolspot18]

Originally Posted by trainwrecka

Good. Those apps just cluttered the App Store.

Apple should let user vote with negative stars... too many negatives and your app gets kicked out!

[Krazy Bill]

Just big brother policing the Apple eco-system and weeding the walled garden... no need for concern.

[avanpelt]

"Apps that are not very useful, are simply web sites bundled as apps"???

First of all, "apps that are not very useful" is a terrible way to word it. Did a 10 year old write this document? I mean, usefulness is always subjective anyway.

Secondly, if websites bundled as apps is against the terms of the App Store, they need to take down at least 40% of the apps in the store -- including those created by/for large corporations. Hilton, are you paying attention? Their app is a disgrace.

[Kaibelf]

Originally Posted by SimonTheSoundMa

That's 2/3rds of the apps in the App Store then.

Please list the link to your useful iOS productivity app. I'm interested in trying it....

----------

Originally Posted by Krazy Bill

Just big brother policing the Apple eco-system and weeding the walled garden... no need for concern.

I suppose you also complain because Wal-Mart doesn't carry adult DVDs?

[Eckscaliber]

This is good. There is definitely no need for the garbage Emoji apps.

[bigcat318]

Originally Posted by glap1922

I've never wanted or downloaded one of these apps, but it is nice to know that if you spend the time to make something people want Apple will just pull the plug on your app once they decide to implement it themselves.

This has been Apple's stance the entire life of the app store.

[Blomkvist]

So here's a silly question:

How do you use Emoji's without the apps?

[Xenomorph]

1) Emoji was enabled for all as of iOS 5.0. Not 6.0.

2) Not all iOS devices can run iOS 6. Some are limited to 3.1.3, 4.2.1, and 5.1.1.

2a) I hope Apple allows new apps to be submitted if they are for iOS 3.x and 4.x devices *AND* specify in the description that you do not need to use a program if you are running iOS 5.x or newer.

3) OMG THANK YOU! I *hated* seeing that top apps #6, #10, #15, #20, etc, etc, etc were all PAY Emoji apps. Some review were from people buying them for their new iPhone 5, not knowing Emoji were already unlocked.

[muzzymate]

Originally Posted by chainprayer

What about people with older devices that don't want to or can't upgrade to iOS 6?

My thoughts exactly: Like my iPad 1.