Apple updated its App Store review guidelines with some new rules to restrict certain types of app behavior.
Darkroom Photo Editor Latest to Go Subscription
Darkroom is the latest app to move to a subscription model. It affects new users only, and current users won’t lose their premium features they paid for.
For new users, Darkroom will cost $3.99 per month or $19.99 per year. And there is still a one-time purchase option at $49.99. Darkroom hopes that a switch to a subscription business model will increase its revenue and thus expand development of the app.
Subscriptions are annoying, but I don’t blame developers so much as Apple. This is exactly what they wanted because it means more money for them. I don’t Apple will ever add upgrade pricing to the App Store. That doesn’t benefit them. Subscriptions are part of Apple’s new Services business, whether the apps are Apple’s own or not.
Restrictions for Kids Apps, HTML5 Apps Go Into Effect March 3
Apple is reminding developers that new restrictions for kids apps and HTML5 apps go into effect on March 3, 2020.
Apple Releases Xcode 11.3.1 With Improvements, Bug Fixes
Apple has released Xcode 11.3.1 for developers with improvements and bug fixes but also with a known issue involving file imports.
iOS Developers Get Detailed Subscription Notifications
iOS developers get detailed subscription notifications that would let them send customers notifications with billing issues.
SF Symbols 1.1 Update Brings Even More Symbols
Apple has released an SF Symbols 1.1 update today, giving developers over 1,500 symbols to use in their apps.
We're Still Waiting for Sign In with Apple to Take Off
Sign In with Apple is a private, convenient way for Apple customers to create accounts with apps and websites. But so far only a smaller number of developers have implemented it. Apple says that if apps include other single sign-on options like Facebook and Google, they have to include Sign In with Apple. April 2020 is the deadline and it can’t come soon enough.
While other companies such as Facebook and Google already offer their own sign in buttons, those options allow app makers to access more of users’ personal information…By comparison, Sign in with Apple only shares your name and an email address with the app maker, and using your real email address is optional.
Apple Releases iOS 13.3 Developer Beta 1
Today Apple has released iOS 13.3 developer beta 1, as well as betas of iPadOS 13.3, watchOS 6.1.1, and tvOS 13.3.
New iOS Security Suite Helps Developers Protect Apps
The iOS Security Suite is a brand new platform for developers. It helps them detect if their apps are running on a secure iOS device. What ISS detects:
Jailbreak (even the iOS 11+ with brand new indicators!)
Attached debugger
If an app was run in emulator
Common reverse engineering tools running on the device
App Store Prices Will Increase in Kazakhstan, Sweden
Apple released developer news today saying that due to changes in foreign exchange rates, App Store prices will increase in Kazakhstan and Sweden.
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.
See this PDF for a list of updated App Store pricing for these regions.
Here's a Sign In With Apple Feature Request Template
iOS 13 officially out, and it brings a privacy feature called Sign In with Apple. Andrew created a template to make it a feature request.
App Store Guidelines Modified for Kids Apps, Sign In With Apple
Apple has updated its App Store Review Guidelines for kids apps and its new Sign In with Apple technology, giving developers more time.
Apple's Billing Grace Period Should Give You Peace of Mind
Apple is introducing Billing Grace Period as a way to improve the customer experience surrounding subscriptions.
Apple Tells Developers to Get Ready for Dark Mode
Apple updated its developer page today, telling developers to get ready for Dark Mode, and providing resources and documentation.
It's Easier for Apps to Rank No. 1 in the App Store
It’s now easier for app developers to have their app ranked number 1 in the App Store. The number of downloads to achieve this has dropped.
You'll Be Able to Convert Your Logins to Sign In With Apple
Ryan Christoffel has been testing Sign In with Apple in some beta versions of apps this summer. Using it is as easy as Apple said it would be. And the feature that I hoped would be included will arrive too: Converting your existing logins to Sign In with Apple.
Although Sign In with Apple is mainly beneficial for new users who don’t yet have an account for a given app or service, with the system Apple has built, developers have the option of letting existing users convert their accounts to Sign In with Apple for its convenience and security benefits.
I hope there will be widespread adoption of this. Another thing I wondered: If some companies complain that iOS 13’s location feature is anti-competitive, what will they say about Sign In with Apple?
iOS URL Scheme Open to Highjacking
The iOS URL Scheme is a way for apps to work around the sandbox limitations of the OS. But it can also be taken advantage of.
Apple Developer Academy 2019 Opens With 400 Available Slots
Apple Developer Academy 2019 is open for applications. 400 students will be chosen to win free training in Naples, Italy, and receive a free iPhone and Mac.
Dev-Fused iPhones are Important Security Tools
Special prototype iPhones called dev-fused iPhones help security researchers examine Apple’s code.
The Plague of Virtual Phone Number Apps
Although it’s not illegal to create duplicate apps under different names and/or developer accounts, it takes advantage of the App Store.
