Deadline for existing apps or only new submissions?

Hello,


Apple has posted a message to extend the deadline for adhering to new requirements: https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=03262020b


Does this only apply if you submit an update of an app or a new app for review?

Or does this also affect existing apps that are already live and "Ready for Sale"? Will they be kicked out of the App Store if they don't adhere to these new requirements?


Thank you so much!

Replies

See https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store-improvements/

I'm curious about this as well. The only issue that I could have is this, "Apps for iPhone or iPad must be built with the iOS 13 SDK..."


I have no idea what the SDK was at the time I submitted the app and I don't see any way to tell after the fact. If they have a way of determining that bit of information then it seems like we should, too. Any ideas? Or as the OP asks, does it matter?

>I have no idea what the SDK was at the time I submitted the app


What's the name - perhaps someone can check for you.

They mixed up requierements for existing apps - i.e. for kids apps -

and new or updated aps which must be build with iOS 13 SDK and support storyboard for launchscreen.


In March 2020 they posted that only new/upodated apps must be build with iOS 13 SDK + storyboards as launchscreen.


Since the iOS 13 SDK thing isn't part of the "Review Guidelines" it must be only for new/updated apps.

Thank you! Does that mean if I don't have a kids app, a HTML5 app or an app that needs authentication/user accounts everything will be fine and Apple will not remove the the app, as they mention at: https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store-improvements/?

Even if the app was not built with iOS 13 SDK and does not support dark mode etc. it will not be removed if it is already approved?


Or what exactly is the minimum requierment that apps have to adhere to so that they won't be removed from the App Store?


Thank you so much!

To be 100% sure better contact Apple Developer support and report back.


Their latet news might have added the iOS 13SDK & launchscreen as a requierment for existing apps. That's what they wrote.


In March 2020 it was for new binary submissions only.


https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=03042020b

That's not my reading of Apple's document (outline is mine):

Apps in all categories on the App Store will be evaluated to make sure they function as expected, follow current review guidelines, and are not outdated.


Seems they have undertaken a review of all apps (there are millions, it may take time) to check their conformance with (new) guidelines.

And they will notify developers of non compliant apps that they have one month to update ; otherwise, app will be removed from appstore.


So, it is wise to start updating now (and submitting the new release will be a good compliance test).

It's more about the message from 4 March 2020 where they wrote "all iPhone apps submitted to the App Store must be built with the iOS 13 SDK or later."


https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=03042020b



vs


the latets news were they wrote "exisiting apps" must be built with the iOS 13 SDK or later?!


https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=03262020b

Again, to be clear, my app works with iOS 13. I just don't know if I built it with SDK 13. Those are two different things. I want to know if there is even a means of determining which SDK you used. If you can't check then it seems like a bunch of developers would have to resubmit their apps for no reason. And what would be the point anyway? Either your app works with iOS 13 or it doesn't. That doesn't depend on which SDK you use, right? It's not like storyboard launch screens began with SDK 13.


Why can't they just be more clear? Don't they realize we're all pedantic software engineers?