Dozens of Popular Apps Still Don't Natively Support iPhone X, But Updates Are Coming Soon

[HondaGirl]

One of the minor disadvantages of buying an iPhone X early is having to wait for developers to update their apps with support for the smartphone's taller display. Many popular apps were updated within a few weeks after the device launched, but over four months later, there are still some notable omissions.

MacRumors recently asked our readers to share their favorite apps that have yet to be optimized for the iPhone X display. Then, we reached out to the developers of each app to ask them if and when they will release updates with iPhone X support. We've included comments from every company that responded below.

Apple

Apple did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

iMovie
iTunes Connect
iTunes Remote
Beats Pill+
AirPort Utility
Music Memos

Google

Google said it does not have anything to share at this time.

Google Authenticator
Google Analytics
Google Admin
Google Street View
Google Wifi
Google Cloud Console
Inbox by Gmail
Chrome Remote Desktop
Snapseed

Microsoft

Microsoft confirmed it is working on updating its remaining apps to be optimized for the iPhone X, but it did not provide a timeframe.

Microsoft Remote Desktop
Microsoft Solitaire Collection
Office 365 Admin

Banking and Finance
Chase -- "We constantly evaluate changes in the market while listening to customer feedback and regularly update our mobile app based on that feedback. Watch for an update in the near future."
TD Canada -- "The next release of the TD mobile app, expected later this month, will be optimized for the iPhone X display."
National Bank of Canada -- "The app will be updated for iPhone X in the coming months."
HSBC
ANZ goMoney Australia
Barclaycard

Fast Food
Domino's -- "It will be updated in one of our upcoming app updates. I don't have an exact date."
Pizza Hut -- "Pizza Hut is currently developing numerous app enhancements, including optimizing the iPhone X display and other capabilities offered by the phone."
Taco Bell

Sports and Gaming
NBC Sports -- "It will happen soon."
PGA TOUR -- "We are updating our app on March 20 to support the new iPhone X format."
MLS
Steam
Hearthstone
Candy Crush Soda Saga

TV and Media
NPR News -- "We will have an update for iPhone X for the NPR News app on April 2."
NPR One -- "The update for NPR One will come later in the summer."
The Economist
IGN
TiVo
Cineplex

Technology
Amazon Alexa -- "The Alexa app will be updated and optimized for iPhone X display in the coming weeks."
Linksys -- "The update for the Linksys app for iPhone X will be rolling out in the next few days."
OpenVPN -- "We are currently developing a new iOS app that will support iPhone X. It will tentatively be released end of April."
HipChat -- "HipChat will not be updated for the iPhone X but Stride will be soon."
Harmony Control

Airlines and Travel
Hotels.com -- "We will be releasing our update to better support iPhone X shortly."
Virgin Airlines
Emirates
Air France
myChevrolet

Apple recently announced that, starting April 2018, all new iOS apps submitted to the App Store, including universal apps, must support the iPhone X display. The rule doesn't apply to existing apps.

Article Link: Dozens of Popular Apps Still Don't Natively Support iPhone X, But Updates Are Coming Soon

[doublepost=1520648346][/doublepost]It’s crazy how fast some updated their apps and how long it’s taking others. I like to play skip-bo pro (paid app) and have reached out to the developers a few times And they just keep saying they are working on it. Is it really that hard?? Percentage calculator is another and Google WiFi. Really Google?

 

[chriscrowlee]

I agree. It's the way it should have been. The area to the left and right of the notch should be black for statuses/icons only. It would draw attention away from the nasty notch and not take away from the app experience.

Clearly you have never used an iPhone X. You’d never say that if you did. When I see my friends with 8 or 8+ it looks so primitive and old. Just a big rectangle screen. The X screen just looks so much more modern and natural. You might want to try an X for a bit before making more of this comment.

 

[Delgibbons]

I still don't know why Instagram doesn't have an app on my ipad. Still on the iPhone version. Crazy!

 

[belvdr]

Clearly you have never used an iPhone X. You’d never say that if you did. When I see my friends with 8 or 8+ it looks so primitive and old. Just a big rectangle screen. The X screen just looks so much more modern and natural. You might want to try an X for a bit before making more of this comment.

I have looked at them numerous times in the Apple Store and still don't like the notch. I'm not sure what's modern and natural about a notch cut out of the screen. What if they put another at the bottom or sides? Does that make it even more modern and natural? To me, it sounds like validation of having a newer phone.

Serious question: what advantage do many of these apps gain by developing for the notch? It's not like it's usable real estate for Amazon Alexa or a banking app.

 

[ke-iron]

I opened a Chase account today and downloaded the app, I’m surprised they didn’t have the updated interface for iPhone X. Bank of America have had the updated interface a while now, but I gotta hand it to Chase for an overall better designed app. It’s designed way way better than Bank of America app.

 

[RedGala]

Since when was Pizza Hut a popular anything?

 

[Tech198]

I always have to say what sort of platform would u have where your own apps from a company are not optimized for the same phone your trying to make everyone buy?

And all companies do it. The idea is updating their own apps before that happens, not sometime where most of us would say "too little, too late... i'm onto the next BIG thing"

If its third party apps running on Apple's phone hat have not been updated, you have breathing space .... But Apple apps specifically ? Shame.

 

[emulajavi]

Even worse are some games from SNK or Gameloft that still don’t even support iOS 11 (64-bit)

I hope you will also contact with them

Thanks

 

[Shirasaki]

If I develop an app, I will NOT make use of the new screen area anytime soon. Black out or just simply add more white space. Job done. That is optimization.

 

[osmar.rodriguez]

Banc Sabadell in Spain.

 

[casperes1996]

Most of those apps don't seem like a big deal. Biggest ones might be iMovie, Steam, and Alexa. With iMovie being neglected, I'm thinking editing movies on iPhones must not be very popular. Using a phone to edit a video wouldn't be my first choice.

Steam? That's a funny joke... If that ever gets updated to support the X, I'll really be quite surprised. In the chat, you can't click links, swiping from left to go back doesn't work, there are many bugs, the interface often doesn't fit the screen, and Valve seems insistent and not using built-in UI elements. Regardless of platform they always develop their own instead, and it's always worse. On Mac for instance, they made their own Window Controller class - That's why there's no drop shadow and whatnot. Consequently it also takes them a lot more effort and a lot longer, to implement common OS functions.

iMovie, whilst I'd also use a Mac, or even an iPad, well before I considered my phone, it still really should've been updated from the start.

This is the problem with updating for iPhone X. Simulator will not work with most of the apps so if you are a developer you have to buy an iPhone X in order to test your stuff and you have also to boy a regular iPhone. 90% or more of iOS developers are indie and many do not profit enough per month to invest on two devices. Apple is not helping anyone because there is no subsidy price for developers.

I mean, Simulator isn't exactly the most fluid experience, but why wouldn't it work?

It’s crazy how fast some updated their apps and how long it’s taking others. I like to play skip-bo pro (paid app) and have reached out to the developers a few times And they just keep saying they are working on it. Is it really that hard?? Percentage calculator is another and Google WiFi. Really Google?

"Is it really that hard"


Well, it kinda depends. How much effort it will take you to update really depends on how you've implemented your UI. If you've used an Interface Builder Storyboard, no, it really, really isn't very hard. If you're a game or otherwise add your UI more or less programmatically, it can be more complex though

 

[Bacillus]

One of the main reasons I decided to wait for the 2018 iPhone X. By the time the new phone is out, mostly all developers will have updated their app UI’s.

I can imagine Devs to have a wait-and-see attitude with the newer phone rumors with smaller or no notches.
The market realizes that the notch was a very stupid idea in the first place (and its Iviot owner should be banned from further development)

 

[tooloud10]

Serious question: what advantage do many of these apps gain by developing for the notch? It's not like it's usable real estate for Amazon Alexa or a banking app.

It’s usable real estate for any app, including the two you mentioned.

 

[glowplug]

they're all waiting for Apple to give up on the notch. then we can get on with normal App development.

 

[ipponrg]

There hardly is any benefit to divert your tech resources to make a native iPhone X app. The same user will be using the same app regardless if it's native or not.

 

[The Game 161]

SKY GO DAMN IT

 

[SactoGuy18]

The only major app on my iPhone X that doesn't support the full screen real estate is the TiVo app--but then, I don't miss the needed extra space, either.

 

[ACST]

Last week I got an update for the last app I have on my phone that didn't have iPhone X support.

 

[groovyd]

Let's first focus on getting the stock calculator, weather, and stocks apps running on the iPad?

 

[341328]

It’s funny how some smaller companies are more nimble.

 

[Cazualchatter]

Bit shocking Apple still not updating some of their own apps to work with the notch

They are not Top Notch apps.
[doublepost=1520731040][/doublepost]

This is the problem with updating for iPhone X. Simulator will not work with most of the apps so if you are a developer you have to buy an iPhone X in order to test your stuff and you have also to boy a regular iPhone. 90% or more of iOS developers are indie and many do not profit enough per month to invest on two devices. Apple is not helping anyone because there is no subsidy price for developers.

So, do not hold your expectations high for 90% of the apps. They will simply not be updated.

... unless Apple starts to show some love for developers.

Is that true for Apple developers too? Or are they just lazy?

 

[kuwxman]

Isn’t Chase supposed to be the most technologically advanced bank?

No. USAA is.

 

[Tech198]

Consequently it also takes them a lot more effort and a lot longer, to implement common OS functions.

Well, it kinda depends. How much effort it will take you to update really depends on how you've implemented your UI. If you've used an Interface Builder Storyboard, no, it really, really isn't very hard. If you're a game or otherwise add your UI more or less programmatically, it can be more complex though

Can you blame 'em? Apple releases models faster than all developers can keep up. Just when 50% of then are updates, "we have another model with better specs" "back to the drawing board"

Most of the non updated apps would be free.... but the paid ones would be more likely to see an update.

 

[RickInHouston]

I contacted Chase directly and they flat out told me middle of this month, X would be supported.

Who does that? Who takes the time to call a compost and ask such a question? Who at Chase would even know the answer. And whay makes you think yoh ate asking someone who would even know?

 

[casperes1996]

Who does that? Who takes the time to call a compost and ask such a question? Who at Chase would even know the answer. And whay makes you think yoh ate asking someone who would even know?

He didn't say call. He said contacted. I could see myself emailing a company with a similar inquiry if I were a heavy user of their product, and an email can easily and quickly be sent to different departments, like IT, to get the answer.