Apple’s developer site has announced the App Store will start reviewing and removing apps that no longer function “as intended” and those who do not follow current guidelines, or are outdated. The clean-up begins on September 7 and comes after analysts determined over 90 percent of the apps in the App Store are zombie applications.
The announcement was made on Thursday. The official site explains how would be the process and how developers can avoid being out of the App Store.
All apps in all the categories of the store will be evaluated to make sure they function as expected. The App Store will also check if the application is following current guidelines or f it is outdated.
If there is any problem with the app, the App Store team will contact app developers to inform them of any necessary changes the app needs to stay in the store. Only apps that crash on launch will be removed without notice from the App Store.
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) is only giving developers 30 days to solve the suggested changes to stay in the online store. Otherwise, the app will be removed from the App Store. But do not worry. If you submit an update, and it is approved, your creation can come back the Apple’s app store.
For those who are wondering if a deleted app from the store will disappear from their phones, the answer is no. Apple explains that apps can remain fully functional even when it is not available on the App Store. There will be no interruption of the app’s services and will still be able to buy in-app purchases. Nevertheless, Apple is encouraging developers to update the app as soon as possible to come back to the store and ensure it remains functional and engaging for new customers.
If an app is removed, the name of that app will not be available for others. Apple’s developer site says when an app is deleted from the App Store, they are not removed from the developer’s account, and the app name will continue to be associated with its developer.
The importance of making space in the App Store
The iPhone maker has become a critical way into the app world for developers that are trying to reach owners of iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs since the App Store was launched in 2008.
But data from app analytics firm Adjust, the App Store is full of “zombie” apps. The term refers to apps that can only be found by directly searching for them. Adjust data shows that the number of these zombie apps has risen significantly over the past three years. By 2016, zombie apps make up about 90 percent of the App Store.
Cleaning up the App Store will make easier to browse the virtual store and will please users and developers alike. Developers will have the chance to be seen and users will not have to spend hours searching for a good- quality app.
Source: Apple Developer