Apple Developer News and Updates feed provided by Apple, Inc.
June 3, 2019
You can now submit developer feedback and file bug reports to Apple using the native Feedback Assistant app for iOS and Mac, which features automatic on-device diagnostics, remote bug filing, more detailed bug forms, and more bug statuses. You can also use the Feedback Assistant website. Feedback Assistant replaces Bug Reporter.
June 3, 2019
Mac apps, installer packages, and kernel extensions that are signed with Developer ID must also be notarized by Apple in order to run on macOS Catalina. This will help give users more confidence that the software they download and run, no matter where they get it from, is not malware by showing a more streamlined Gatekeeper interface.
The App Store is dedicated to the best store experience for everyone. In order to continue providing a safe experience for users and a great opportunity for developers to be successful, we sometimes need to update the App Store Review Guidelines.
Please note these summaries of the latest changes and see the App Store Review Guidelines for full details. All guidelines are now enforced for new and existing apps, unless otherwise indicated.
Demo videos of app functionality that is geo-locked or otherwise restricted are not accepted. Developers must provide a fully functional app for review.
Sign In with Apple will be available for beta testing this summer. It will be required as an option for users in apps that support third-party sign-in when it is commercially available later this year.
April 23, 2019
You can now use Transporter, Apple’s command-line delivery tool, to upload and manage subscription offers using XML. Transporter integrates with your content management system to deliver your app metadata in bulk.
For details on using XML to upload and manage subscription offers, see the App Metadata Specification.
We’re working with developers to create a safer Mac user experience through a process where all software, whether distributed on the App Store or outside of it, is signed or notarized by Apple. With the public release of macOS 10.14.5, we require that all developers creating a Developer ID certificate for the first time notarize their apps, and that all new and updated kernel extensions be notarized as well. This will help give users more confidence that the software they download and run, no matter where they get it from, is not malware by showing a more streamlined Gatekeeper interface.
March 27, 2019
Now you can use Apple Search Ads to reach customers in 46 more countries and regions at the very moment they’re searching for apps like yours. Take advantage of this efficient and easy way to promote your app at the top of relevant App Store search results with a 100 USD credit toward your first app promotion.
Learn more about Apple Search Ads
Sales and Trends reports have been updated to include information on the performance of your subscription offers. The following data is now available:
Subscription offers are identified by their reference name in the Order Type column of your Sales Summary Report. See how many of your subscribers have redeemed offers.
Promotional Offer Name and Promotional Offer ID columns have been added to your report to indicate that a report line item is an active subscription offer.
New subscription events have been added to show when subscribers redeem your offers, and if they upgrade, downgrade, and cross-grade when the offer ends.
Promotional Offer Name and Promotional Offer ID columns have been added to your report to show which subscribers are on standard paid subscriptions and which are currently using introductory or subscription offers.
The new reports are available in Sales and Trends starting today. If you are using Reporter or the App Store Connect APIto automate report downloads, make sure you’re using version parameter 1_2. Report version 1_1 will soon be unavailable.
To learn more, see Download and View Reports.
iOS 12 is now running on more than 80% of devices worldwide. Make sure your app delivers a great user experience by seamlessly integrating with the latest advances in iOS. Starting March 27, 2019, all new apps and app updates for iPhone or iPad, including universal apps, must be built with the iOS 12.1 SDK or later and support iPhone XS Max or the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation). Screenshots for these devices will also be required. All new apps and app updates for Apple Watch will need to be built with the watchOS 5.1 SDK or later and support Apple Watch Series 4.
Understanding Changes in Memory Accounting
iOS 12 and tvOS 12 require apps to use memory far more efficiently than before. If you have difficulty reducing your app’s memory requirements, contact us to request an entitlement for your app to use iOS 11-style memory accounting.
March 14, 2019
Register by Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. PDT for your chance to join us and thousands of coders, creators, and crazy ones at this year’s Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, June 3-7.
Apps with auto-renewable subscriptions will soon be able to provide a discounted price for existing or previously subscribed customers. Subscription offers can help re-engage subscribers who have canceled their subscriptions or promote an upgrade to another subscription at a special price. Make sure your offers are ready once this feature is publicly available. Download the latest Xcode 10.2 beta, implement the new StoreKit APIs, and test on the latest beta version of iOS 12.2, macOS 10.14.4, and tvOS 12.2.
