Apple Seemingly Removing 'Outdated' Apps From the App Store

[JosephAW]

I suppose that means that existing apps for iOS 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 ,13 & 14 will no longer be available for download in the App Store?

Example: Still using TextNow and Line2 app in my iPhone 4S on iOS 8 recently downloaded from the App Store to make calls. Now that option is going to be lost for users with older devices?

 

[JMStearnsX2]

Could be a move to get developers to add the privacy info to the apps....

 

[MacOH21]

Unfortunately for Dev's, it feels like for every one app that is "perfect" and doesn't need updating, there's another 50 apps that have flaws, bugs, or been abandoned.

 

[NightFox]

Many companies who aren't software companies but who need apps to support their products will contract-in developers just to write the apps and ensure they're stable. The developers then leave the company. There's no incentive (or even reason) why companies would contract future development work if the current app is fit for purpose, particularly if the product(s) the app supports are no longer current. I know these days anything over 6 months old seems to be considered automatically obsolete, but many of those apps are still fulfilling their core function just as well as they were doing when they were last updated however many years ago.

It's also sometimes the case with supporting apps that the company simply no longer exists; that doesn't mean their devices have to stop working though - unless Apple arbitrarily decides to delete their supporting app of course.

 

[CasinoOwl]

I like the idea of making developers put some attention on their apps so they don't just let outdated apps rot on the App Store. I imagine an app that is still working probably could be re-submitted with a miniscule change to meet the requirement.

 

[xRem]

I am not sure if I agree with removing apps. I guess that some apps written 10 years ago could have been developed in a way where they are still good to go today - but especially paid apps should require a certain level of care. Maybe instead of removing them outright put them in a separate section of the AppStore, something like Legacy apps, so they don't get automatically promoted etc. but are still available for people who know exactly what they need.

 

[Bobcat32]

Don’t think that if the app is removed from the App Store and you still have it on your device you can still have it. Infinity blade worked on iOS 15 and then suddenly I get this kind of pop up some months ago. Ughhhh…

 

[turbineseaplane]

If they only they put this energy into removing outright scam Apps that are literally on the Top charts!

 

[turbineseaplane]

All the more reason why we need the ability to install signed apps directly from developers (or alternative stores).

Having Apple decide what is ok/not to still install on my own iOS devices is nuts.

I would say the same thing if they were trying to do that on the Mac.

 

[ignatius345]

I made a silly dumb (panda) sticker app for iMessage a few years back. Got the notice a month ago that they were taking it off the store because it wasn't updated.

Perfect example of something that may not NEED to be updated, right? I definitely understand purging things that don't work anymore but I just don't see how something like a sticker app or something needs to be cleared out if it's still viable.

 

[dsusanj]

No problem. Just update one of the App Store creatives and write „bug fixes“ in the change log

It’s not that simple. Older apps might need updated frameworks or other bits of software they rely on to be updated as well, and there may be cases where this requires more work or where dependencies might even no longer be available.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

This is disappointing. There's an older game I like, Army of Darkness, that works fine but hasn't been updated (or needed to be updated) for years. Now it's unavailable, wonderful. As a long-time gamer, it's unfortunate to lose these little bits of gaming history. I don't see anything to celebrate here.

Oh man I played so much of this game!

 

[BeefCake 15]

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

Seriously, I've been buying postcards for my kids and teaching them to write to family and friends during the holiday. It's such an intimate thing that we all keep those postcards for memories, unlike a text message or a Facebook poke.

 

[ignatius345]

All the more reason why we need the ability to install signed apps directly from developers (or alternative stores).

Having Apple decide what is ok/not to still install on my own iOS devices is nuts.

I would say the same thing if they were trying to do that on the Mac.

One of the biggest reasons I don't think I could ever accept an iPad Pro as a Mac replacement.

I just hope they never try to take away this option:

 

[Mousse]

Boo...Hiss... Some old apps are perfect they way they are ie. no ads, no IAP, no data mining, no BS.

First rule of programming: Do not mess with the ancient code eg old code that works even though no one remembers or understands why. Code from back in the day before programmers started documenting their work.

This sort of BS is the reason why sideloading is a must. I'm use Android and old versions of most apps are far superior (faster, smaller, no ads) to the new versions.

 

[paradox00]

This would be no issue if there was an alternative way to install apps on iOS devices. Their store, their rules, but since this is the only source for apps, there will be unintended consequences that harm users.

 

[ElderMacMan]

There’s an old saying “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. App update when necessary. if an app works smoothly and is secure, why tinker?

 

[jonblatho]

As a someone in software (including mobile app) development, I understand both sides of the argument. However fairly often, developers cannot be bothered to optimize their apps to relevant SDKs or general improvements such as privacy labels or dark mode. Not even talking about scenarios where developers simply ignore feedback and their score drops. And honestly, for simple apps, pushing an update to update things like App Store listing, privacy labels, updating libraries etc. doesn't have to be a complex exercise. Unfortunately there are mobile apps on App Store that for example don't even have valid API endpoints and they simply don't work.

Then Apple should dispatch its crack app review team to periodically re-review apps, without prior notice to the developer.

If the app is broken due to its age, contact the developer to see if it's a known temporary issue (like a re-review happening at the same time as a brief outage). If it's not temporary or there's no response, pull it and allow the developer to resubmit an updated version whenever they're ready if they'd like to keep their app in the App Store. If the app still works fine, then there's no reason to pull it or update it.

This would also help rid the App Store of scam apps that present themselves as one thing for reviewers, then once it's on the App Store, a server-side switch is flipped and the app becomes something entirely different and very much against App Store rules.

 

[ktecac]

I'm fine with this though I think a bit more generous allowance would be in order. Maybe 2 years?
I'm tired of old apps clogging the search results. Though its better to just look for recommendations of apps for specific purposes here ore on Reddit anyway - the search on App store would be much better if the 40 unupdated clones of popular apps were removed.
I think if a developer is active with the application -i.e issuing some kind of 'yes the app hasn't been updated in 2 years but still works fine with latest iOS' text only update on the App Store - that would be acceptable. I don't demand that apps be updated regularly with significant changes to the code for example - but at least knowing the Dev still cares and is attending it would go a long way IMO.

 

[Stromos]

So is Apple going to allow refunds if they are arbitrarily deciding a working paid app should be taken away?

This only hurts end users. This isn't going to magically make devs update an old app.

I'm on the upgrade program so every year I only get the apps still available in the store.

This is getting old with mobile apps.

I want a good SSH app. Ok spend money and buy one. App is abandoned now. Buy this app instead. Repeat.

This app works great let me spend money on the pro version/pro features. With our next update you now have to pay monthly for something you already paid for. Ok find alternative app. Repeat.

Open source just doesn't exist in the mobile space. I have used things like Putty and Notepad++ for years never had to pay they still exist and are actively updated. Hell I've even donated to Notepad++ just because its been so useful over the years. There is literally no equivalent in iOS for basic tools and I don't know where the problem lies.

 

[Skyscraperfan]

If an app already is perfect, why should it be updated? Just to better fit a new iOS version? On my Android phone I often even install old app versions, because the new ones suck. Instagram is a good example. Some time ago Instagram started showing people content from account in their news feed that they do not follow. To avoid that you need quite an old Instagram version. I installed one from July 2020. Thats 21 months old.

Never change a running system!

 

[Razorpit]

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...

Including Apple…

 

[iOS Geek]

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...

Exactly! **Looking at YOU, Facebook! ? ? ?**

Took a look in the App Store and checked Facebook's version history. "We've updated the app to fix some crashes and make features load faster". It has said that for every update for the past 6 months (which is as far back as the history goes).

 

[Porco]

If this means all those apps that have avoided an update to duck out of adding privacy info will now have to do so then I’m all for it (regardless of the debate on ‘side-loading’ / installing from outside the App Store).

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

So will this turn the iPad 2 (and other ‘obsolete’ Apple hardware) into paperweights?

There are quite a few games on the App Store (mostly 32-bit) that will not run on any of the newer hardware.

Good I'm tired of lazy developers not keeping up with new devices.

In most cases this is not laziness. Most often it’s because the developer is no longer affiilated with the employer or studio.

In other words app developers do not work for free.