Having an app unlisted in the App Store is irreversible... isn't it?

Question

NoughtThought OP

Created Feb ’22

Replies 3

Boosts 3

Views 3.8k

Participants 5

Apple now has a process where app publishers can request an app to be "unlisted" in the App Store.

I have an app that is a good candidate for unlisting because only users that have been invited to use the app can register an account.

However, in the distant future (5+ years), it's possible that user restrictions will change and the app will become available to everyone.

So I asked Apple developer support if an "unlisted" app can become "listed" again, and the response was:

After the app is approved as an unlisted app, the option can't be changed.

Buuuut.... I just find that hard to believe. Why would Apple make it irreversible? Can anybody please confirm that unlisting is irreversible? Or explain why it should be irreversible?

For the curious, the reason I am considering unlisting is to prevent this scenario:

A user without an invitation finds the app on the App Store
That user thinks the app would be useful and downloads it (despite the app listing clearly stating that only people with invitations can use the app).
The user opens the app and finds a message explaining that they can't use the app without an invitation
The user gets annoyed and leaves a 1-star review with a comment like "Why the heck did you let me download it if I can use it?!"

Boost

Answer 1

jiadmiftx OP

Feb ’22

so, what is the solution for making the app become listed again? I facing the same issue.

1

Answer 2

FelipeSoares OP

Feb ’22

I'm also curious about it. Thinking to unlist my app, but I wanted to have the possibility to list it back again.

3

Answer 3

NoughtThought OP

Feb ’22

I believe it might be possible if you create a whole new app listing. You can use the same name, but you'll need a different bundle url. Let's say you have an unlisted app with the name "My App" and bundle url "com.my.app". You should be able to create a listed version of the by following these steps: 1) Change the name of the old, unlisted app. For example, "My App Unlisted". 2) Create a new app in the app store, with the desired name and a different bundle url. eg name: My App, bundle url: com.my.app.listed. 3) Submit new app for review. 4) Once the review has passed and the new app is live, delete the old app. I haven't tried this so I can't say for sure that it would work. But even if it does work, it's quite a hassle.

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