Apple Seemingly Removing 'Outdated' Apps From the App Store

[Euroamerican]

Gesundheit still needs updated, that's for sure! I haven't been able to play it for at least the last and now current versions of iOS. Of course t, the developers may not be around anymore to fix....

On the other hand, I also like the idea of not having crappy old junk for sale on the shelf next to the new good stuff.

 

[minimo3]

Moral of the story: write web apps instead of native mobile ones. No one to be the gatekeeper, no fees, no rewriting all the time because APIs change, plus you only have to write one version for desktop, iOS and android. Unless you need some special GPU metal support or hardware access there’s little incentive to do native mobile anymore.

 

[a.jfred]

There's a note app I've used for YEARS that's appears to have been abandoned by the developer, so I've kinda been expecting/preparing for this.

Although their website has a "copyright 2022" note at the bottom of it, the app hasn't been updated since 2019 (and still only mentions support up through iPhone XS)

 

[Realityck]

Last update, 12 years ago:

‎DOOM Resurrection

‎Critical Acclaim for DOOM Resurrection: iTunes Rewind 2009 "Top Sellers" list “It really feels like a thrill ride. The production values are sky high, offering some of the best visuals thus far on the iPhone.” – Nigel Wood, iPhoneGamesNetwork “Seriously though, if you consider yourself an...

apps.apple.com

Don't let Apple remove id Software history!

Certain software that are renowned classics should be off limits anyway. We all know some software was never revised for latest MacOS’s. Instead store software being judged should be removed only when it shows many reviews of it being non functional, appears abandoned and not a known classic.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

The whole point of this is to get developers to agree to new T&C’s and to update data retention policy information. Not necessarily a bad thing. Weeds a few people out.

AND, those that are selling the data they use to show ads and not wanting to disclose that information as required if they release an update, which I’d be willing to bet is the wider issue.

 

[Orange Bat]

I have no problem with Apple cleaning house every once and a while. However, this is the wrong way to do it. Individual developers do not have the resources to update their apps constantly. Sometimes you create an app that runs great without bugs and let it sit because it doesn’t need anything more for a while. Why update software that doesn’t require an update?

Android did something similar this year requiring all apps to run on Android OS released in the last 2 years. However, they announced it in March and apps must be updated by November. IMO, that’s fair. Make sure the older apps run on newer OSes and give developers 8-9 months to make the updates. That’s manageable.

However, Apple just wants a generic “update” and they want it in 30 days. Huh? It’s not about running on newer hardware or security fixes, just “updates”. And 30 days is simply wrong for an individual developer.

Both Apple and Google need rules if they are going to do these kinds of things. For Apple, perhaps require an app to be updated at least every 3 years which allow developers to prepare. For Android, just say it must run on an OS released in the last 2 years. But don’t just blindside developers with a 30 day notice for a generic “update”. That just gives large companies a greater competitive advantage and discourages individuals from even trying.

 

[bladerunner88]

What happened to the /CDC Covid 19 Screening App - no longer seems to work or wants an update that's not available?

 

[Appleman3546]

Oh, so Apple may be forced out of its App Store monopoly AND kicking out unpopular apps from 2019 or older regardless of quality. Maybe it is a rebranding of the iOS App Store to be called “MacOS App Store” (since the big developers making money will leave when the antitrust succeeds and the indie devs were kicked out, there will be nothing but trash apps left in it).

 

[Westside guy]

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.

To be fair, if a plugin hasn't been updated in a while - Wordpress puts a post to that effect right at the top of the plugin page.

 

[Boris Bronson]

Moral of the story: write web apps instead of native mobile ones. No one to be the gatekeeper, no fees, no rewriting all the time because APIs change, plus you only have to write one version for desktop, iOS and android. Unless you need some special GPU metal support or hardware access there’s little incentive to do native mobile anymore.

We would if Apple did not cripple PWA’s.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

You can’t tell whether an application is “bit rotted” just because it is 3 years old, and 30 days notice out of the blue isn’t sufficient notice for a developer to actually do anything.

As with all these stories, there may be another side to it, but at face value this is Apple being ridiculous.

30 days notice is sufficient if the code follows Apple’s guidelines, just a recompile and quick test. If they’re using a lot of libraries that leak data to third parties BUT also makes them a good bit of money, then, yeah, it wouldn’t be sufficient, but they should have stopped using those methods a long time ago anyway.

 

[Foxglove9]

If Apple just lets us download and back up our apps easily this wouldn’t be a problem.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Wouldn't it be better for Apple to develop an actually good search in the app store? Deprioritize apps that haven't been updated in a while, but don't remove them. Prioritize new and popular apps.

 

[JMStearnsX2]

Moral of the story: write web apps instead of native mobile ones. No one to be the gatekeeper, no fees, no rewriting all the time because APIs change, plus you only have to write one version for desktop, iOS and android. Unless you need some special GPU metal support or hardware access there’s little incentive to do native mobile anymore.

Seems like many apps are just a container for a web app anyway, like Amazon...

 

[Analog Kid]

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.

Funny, I read this a “some use it as a means to avoid calling older family members”…

 

[Christoffee]

I would have thought that removing based on recent download history or 1-star reviews would be more sensible.

 

[mthomas184]

The ones that haven't been updated in a long time, why not just recompile them, makes no changes and add privacy labels. That should get you through for a while.

 

[Solver]

What if the app does not need updating? What if the app would lose some functional ability if updated? What if being forced to update the app forces the developer to drop customers with earlier devices?

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Solution is to write buggy apps so you have to update it every now and then.

Apps still need to be updated periodically to stay current on API calls, etc.
Apps using deprecated API calls will eventually start to crash.

I've seen apps that have not been updated in 7 years! No excuses.

 

[Solver]

The ones that haven't been updated in a long time, why not just recompile them, makes no changes and add privacy labels. That should get you through for a while.

Developers find that Apple chooses which specific compilers the developer can use. Too often an app can't be recompiled for the Apple App Store without some very significant changes. Sometimes it can't be recompiled at all.

 

[Kaikidan]

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.

Roller Coaster Tycoon Classic as a example, new (already old) ipad pros without home button where released by 2018, almost five years ago already, most of the lineup now uses the new design, and the game still runs in the "4:3 compatibility mode" with ugly letterboxing, iphone version doesn't respect the oval edges of the screen and notch, making some buttons impossible to press on some cases depending where they spawn on screen when you open a ride menu, otherwise app runs fine, but urgently needs a UI update for the "new" iphone X+ and ipad pro 2018+ aspect ratios.

 

[robd003]

Last update, 12 years ago:

‎DOOM Resurrection

‎Critical Acclaim for DOOM Resurrection: iTunes Rewind 2009 "Top Sellers" list “It really feels like a thrill ride. The production values are sky high, offering some of the best visuals thus far on the iPhone.” – Nigel Wood, iPhoneGamesNetwork “Seriously though, if you consider yourself an...

apps.apple.com

Don't let Apple remove id Software history!

It won’t even install on iOS 15

 

[JM]

Remember when every year the product announcements started with how many millions of apps are on the AppStore?

Yeah, good times.

 

[panjandrum]

What a nightmare. Our school relies on a number of apps that still work perfectly well but haven't had updates of any type in years. If it works, it works; there is simply no reason to remove a functional app. Heck, maybe some of these have simply been written so well that the devs haven't had to touch them (aside from the 64bit update, I suppose.)

 

[Tagbert]

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)

What is wrong with that? I don't see anything.