macOS Catalina will soon be available to hundreds of millions of users around the world. With macOS Catalina, your Mac apps can take advantage of Sign in with Apple, Sidecar, and the latest advances in Core ML 3, and Metal. And with Mac Catalyst, you can bring your iPad apps to Mac. Build your apps using Xcode 11, test them on a Mac computer running the macOS Catalina GM seed, and submit them for review.
Category: Apple Developer News
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Notarize Your Mac Software for macOS Catalina
To further protect users on macOS Catalina, we’re working with developers to make sure all software, whether distributed on the App Store or outside of it, is signed or notarized by Apple. This will give users more confidence that the software they download and run, no matter where they get it from, has been checked for known security issues.
In June, we announced that all Mac software distributed outside the Mac App Store must be notarized by Apple in order to run by default on macOS Catalina. Make sure to test all versions of your software on the macOS Catalina GM seed and submit it to Apple to be notarized.
Exchange Rate Changes Will Affect App Store Prices in Certain Regions
When taxes or foreign exchange rates change, we sometimes need to update prices on the App Store. In the next few days, prices of apps on the App Store and in-app purchases (excluding auto-renewable subscriptions) will increase in Kazakhstan and Sweden due to changes in foreign exchange rates. Your proceeds will be increased accordingly.
Once this change goes into effect, the Pricing and Availability section of My Apps will be updated. You can change the price of your apps and in-app purchases (including auto-renewable subscriptions) at any time in App Store Connect. For subscriptions, you have the option to preserve prices for existing subscribers.
Submit Your iPad Apps to the App Store
With iPadOS, you can deliver multiwindow experiences, add full drawing experiences for Apple Pencil, and contribute fonts for systemwide use. You can also take advantage of Dark Mode, Sign in with Apple, and the latest advances in ARKit 3, Core ML 3, and Siri. Build your apps using Xcode 11, test them on the latest version of iPadOS, and submit them for review.
Starting April 2020, all new apps and app updates for iPad will need to be built with the iOS 13 SDK and support the all-screen design of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation).
Tax Changes Will Affect App Store Prices in Japan
When taxes or foreign exchange rates change, we sometimes need to update prices on the App Store. Starting October 2019, the Japan Consumption Tax (JCT) will increase from 8% to 10%, resulting in a price increase for apps on the App Store and in-app purchases (excluding auto-renewable subscriptions) in Japan. Once the change goes into effect, the Pricing and Availability section of My Apps will be updated and your proceeds will be increased accordingly. You can change the price of your apps and in-app purchases (including auto-renewable subscriptions) at any time in App Store Connect. For subscriptions, you have the option to preserve prices for existing subscribers.
Note that Apple does not administer the collection and remittance of JCT applicable to sales to customers purchasing content on the App Store in Japan. You will continue to be responsible for the collection and remittance of such taxes to the appropriate tax authorities, as may be required by local law.
Submit Your tvOS Apps to the App Store
September 20, 2019
With tvOS 13, your apps can now take advantage of multi-user support and Sign in with Apple, play full-screen video previews on the Home screen, and much more. Build your tvOS apps using Xcode 11, test them on Apple TV running tvOS 13 GM seed, and submit them for review.
Learn about preparing your apps
Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager Now Available in More Locations
September 19, 2019
Apps on the App Store in China mainland, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Vietnam are now available for volume purchase on Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager. You can now also privately distribute custom apps to specific organizations in these locations or proprietary apps to employees within your organization in these locations. The organizations that you identify in App Store Connect can access your custom app in the Custom Apps section of Apple Business Manager.
Introducing Billing Grace Period for Subscriptions
September 12, 2019
We’ve worked closely with leading developers to create a solution for reducing customer churn while improving the experience for auto-renewable subscriptions. With the new grace period for unsuccessful auto-renewals, subscribers can continue accessing your app’s paid content while Apple attempts to collect payment — allowing them time to fix the issue. There won’t be any interruption to the subscriber’s days of paid service or to your revenue if payment is successful within the grace period.
New Guidelines for Sign in with Apple
Make it easy for users to sign in to your apps and websites using the Apple ID they already have. With privacy and security features built-in, 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 for superior security, and Apple will not track users’ activity in your app or website.
We’ve updated the App Store Review Guidelines to provide criteria for when apps are required to use Sign in with Apple. Starting today, new apps submitted to the App Store must follow these guidelines. Existing apps and app updates must follow them by April 2020. We’ve also provided new guidelines for using Sign in with Apple on the web and other platforms.
App Updates in the Kids Category
When parents visit the Kids category on the App Store, they expect the apps they find will protect their children’s data, provide only age-appropriate content, and require a parental gate in order to link out of the app, request permissions, or present purchasing opportunities. It’s critical that no personally identifiable information or device information be transmitted to third parties, and that advertisements are human-reviewed for age appropriateness in order to be displayed.
Guideline 1.3 and guideline 5.1.4 detail important rules related to apps in the Kids category and we’ve been working with some developers of existing apps to assist them in the transition to full compliance with this important guideline.
All new apps must follow these guidelines, and we urge you to update your existing apps as soon as possible. If your existing app requires more time to implement these guidelines, we’ve provided an additional six months, until March 3, 2020, to bring it into full compliance.