Category: Apple Developer News

The App Store should always be a safe and trusted place for users to download apps. Now more than ever that commitment takes on special significance as the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities around the world are depending on apps to be credible news sources — helping users understand the latest health innovations, find out where they can get help if needed or provide assistance to their neighbors.

To help fulfill these expectations, we’re evaluating apps critically to ensure data sources are reputable and that developers presenting these apps are from recognized entities such as government organizations, health-focused NGOs, companies deeply credentialed in health issues, and medical or educational institutions. Only developers from one of these recognized entities should submit an app related to COVID-19. Entertainment or game apps with COVID-19 as their theme will not be allowed.

We understand the need to get these apps into the hands of customers as soon as possible. We encourage developers that meet this criteria to select “Time-Sensitive Event” on the expedite request form to ensure prioritized review since App Store review may take longer.

If you are developing an app on behalf of a client, please advise your client to add you to the development team of their Apple Developer account. If your client does not yet have an Apple Developer account, they can enroll in the Apple Developer Program. Nonprofit organizations, accredited educational institutions, and government entities that plan to distribute only free apps on the App Store can request to have their annual membership fee waived, if based in an eligible country.

Learn about membership fee waivers

Read the App Store Review Guidelines

Request an expedited review

March 13, 2020

This June, WWDC20 brings a completely new online experience to millions of talented and creative developers around the world. Join us for a fully packed program — including Keynote and sessions — to gain early access to the future of Apple platforms and engage with Apple engineers. Dive into an exciting learning experience and discover how to create your most innovative apps yet using the latest Apple technologies.

Stay tuned for details on the WWDC20 website, by email, and in the Apple Developer app.

The App Store is dedicated to the best store experience for everyone. To continue providing a safe experience for users and help you successfully develop apps that are secure, high-quality, reliable, and that respect user privacy, the App Store Review Guidelines have been updated. The changes impact replies to reviews, spam, push notifications, Sign in with Apple, data collection and storage, mobile device management, and more.

Read the App Store Review Guidelines

Make it easy for users to sign in to your apps and websites using the Apple ID they already have. With built-in privacy and security features, Sign in with Apple is a great way to help users set up an account, sign in, and engage with your app quickly and easily. All accounts are protected with two-factor authentication, and Apple will not track users’ activity in your app or website.

See the latest App Store Review Guidelines and Human Interface Guidelines to learn how to provide great user experiences with Sign in with Apple, and get new downloadable design resources, including left-aligned, center-aligned, and logo-only buttons. All new apps and app updates submitted to the App Store must follow these guidelines by April 30, 2020.

View the App Store Review Guidelines

View the Human Interface Guidelines

iOS 13 is now running on 77% of all iOS devices introduced in the last four years, worldwide. Deliver great user experiences by seamlessly integrating with Dark Mode, Sign in with Apple, and the latest advances in ARKit 3, Core ML 3, and Siri. Starting April 30, 2020, all iPhone apps submitted to the App Store must be built with the iOS 13 SDK or later.

Take advantage of Xcode features such as storyboards (including launch storyboards), Auto Layout, and SwiftUI, to ensure your app’s interface elements and layouts automatically fit the display of all iPhone models, regardless of size or aspect ratio. Starting April 30, 2020, all apps submitted to the App Store must use an Xcode storyboard to provide the app’s launch screen and all iPhone apps must support all iPhone screens.

Learn about submitting your apps

Now you can learn and explore coding using Swift Playgrounds on Mac. Take advantage of the same great experimenting environment from iPad, updated with a unique Mac experience that includes a new sidebar, Touch Bar support, and code suggestions that provide additional help. You can even use the same playground file on both platforms. Swift Playgrounds is an easy way to try out new code for your app, then use that code for development in Xcode.

View on the Mac App Store

February 6, 2020

You can now meet the unique needs of educational institutions by privately offering apps you’ve customized just for them. Organizations that you identify in App Store Connect will see the app and be able to purchase it in volume on Apple School Manager, a service that lets educational institutions buy content, configure automatic device enrollment, and create accounts for students and staff. Educational institutions can also use this feature to distribute proprietary apps for internal use.

Learn about distributing custom apps

With the public release of watchOS 6.2, you’ll be able to offer in‑app purchases directly in your watchOS apps, so users can access premium content, digital goods, subscriptions, and more, all right from their wrist. Get started today by downloading Xcode 11.4 beta, implementing the StoreKit API, and build for the beta version of watchOS 6.2.

View WatchKit documentation

View StoreKit documentation