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Apple appears to be removing a large number of apps from the App Store that have not been updated for "a significant amount of time" (via The Verge).

iOS-App-Store-General-Feature-Desaturated.jpg

According to an "App Improvement Notice" email sent to affected developers, Apple is removing apps that have "not been updated in a significant amount of time" unless developers issue an update within 30 days:
This app has not been updated for a significant amount of time and is scheduled to be removed from sale in 30 days. No action is required for the app to remain available to users who have already downloaded the app.

You can keep this app available for new users to discover and download from the App Storey submitting an update for review within 30 days.

If no update is submitted within 30 days, the app will be removed from sale.
The notice has been met with concern from some developers, such as Protopop Games developer Robert Kabwe. Kabwe says on Twitter that Apple is threatening to his game, "Motivoto," since it has not been updated since March 2019. Kosta Eleftheriou, the developer of the FlickType Apple Watch keyboard, highlighted that while Apple took down a version of his app because it has not been updated in two years, the once-popular game "Pocket God" remains available despite it not being updated since 2015.

The sense of concern has been echoed by several other developers on Twitter who have also received App Improvement Notices, with developers highlighting that they simply have not had enough time to update their apps and that some apps exist as "completed objects," and therefore do not require "updates or a live service model."

Apple's App Store Improvements page states:
To make it easier for customers to find great apps that fit their needs, we want to ensure that apps available on the App Store are functional and up-to-date. We are implementing an ongoing process of evaluating apps, removing apps that no longer function as intended, don’t follow current review guidelines, or are outdated.

Apple has been known to remove apps that have not been updated for some time from the App Store before, but it is not clear if this policy has been continuously or consistently enforced. It is also unknown what exactly Apple determines "a significant amount of time" to be, and whether it relates to compatibility with the latest version of iOS or time elapsed since the last update.

Article Link: Apple Seemingly Removing 'Outdated' Apps From the App Store
 
Last update, 12 years ago:

Don't let Apple remove id Software history!
 
I'm waiting for my alarm system app to drop off. That's going to be a problem.


 
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The sense of concern has been echoed by several other developers on Twitter who have also received App Improvement Notices, with developers highlighting... that some apps exist as "completed objects," and therefore do not require "updates or a live service model."

Solution is to write buggy apps so you have to update it every now and then. :p
 
I'm waiting for my alarm system app to drop off. That's going to be a problem.


Ugh.

Really. Ugh. For an app I use daily (more?) I'm glad you brought that up. Even though I'm using homebridge, this still gets used quite a bit.
 
Last update, 12 years ago:

Don't let Apple remove id Software history!
So much for Tim Cook's statement that "We treat every developer the same. We have open and transparent rules, it's a rigorous process. But those rules apply evenly to everyone."
 
I wish Wordpress did this with plugins. Anyone can fork any plugin they want because Wordpress requires GPL licensing, so that stops good plugins from just not existing anymore (except if no developer can be bothered forking and improving old plugins). But removing plugins that haven't been updated in three years helps keep your average Wordpress instal and thus the internet as a whole more secure.
 
They could simply make it more apparent when was the last Update, especially for apps that are not free, or that offer In-App Purchases.

Many people never realize until they buy an app, that it does not work correctly. And the reason is it has not been updated for a long time.

I personally never buy an app that has been abandoned for more than 1-2 years.
 
While they're at it, can they also strictly enforce app detailed version history to every developer on Apple App Store? Not everyone reads version history but app developers should be transparent about what's new and what's changed or even what's removed in the new version of the app they publish...
 
Good. Corporate apps that haven’t updated their user interfaces also need this threat of takedown. I was under the impression that switch to modern iPhone interface is relatively easy. Look at this medical work app I use for managing elder patients. This is criminal. (My phone is 12 Pro Max for reference)
 

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Ugh.

Really. Ugh. For an app I use daily (more?) I'm glad you brought that up. Even though I'm using homebridge, this still gets used quite a bit.

I don't know why they don't just update it already. It can't take much to use modern screen sizes at a minimum. Someone mentioned it's just a web wrapper anyway.

I also just found out about homebridge and I want to look into that.
 
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Just because you don’t use it doesn’t mean millions dont. Some use it as a means to stay in touch with older family members and is vital. At least it’s updated very frequently unlike the ones that were removed
And what existed before Facebook?!
Call
Send a text message

Simple technology worth long before the iPhone or android or any other smart phone

Ps: Just because others stuck on Facebook doesn’t necessarily they like it it’s just I don’t know any better to have other forms of communication
 
There are some apps that don't need to be updated. Their developer perfected them, and everyone is happy. My Logbook for my vehicles is one such app. I had to nudge him to make it 64-bit, but otherwise, there is no need to make any updates.
I advised checking your latest feedback within the App Store check all of them any recent completes in the last year then I’m sure there’s a bug
 
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