Outdated Apple App Store Apps Face Removal

Apple plans to remove old apps on the App Store that haven’t been updated recently. The tech giant has been sending email warnings to developers, asking them to update their apps within 30 days otherwise they “will be removed from sale.” Apple will only reinstate delisted apps after their developers submit an update that is approved by the company. However, the removed apps will remain fully functional for current users. Likewise, the app names will still be associated with delisted applications.

The app culling follows Apple’s App Store Improvements initiative to ensure that all the items featured on the store are fully functional. Apple’s evaluation covers apps in all categories, from simple utility apps to games. Besides outdated apps, the company also plans to remove applications that crash on launch even if they are promptly updated. This compels developers to thoroughly review their apps’ functionalities moving forward.

The plan of Apple to remove old apps has been met with pushback from a number of developers. A tweet from a mobile game maker asserts that “games can exist as completed objects,” not always requiring constant updates. Another post posits that it’s not fair to mobile games since old console games are still being sold by video game stores. This statement was echoed by the FlickType Apple Watch keyboard developer—whose app is also on the chopping block—on Twitter. Apple has yet to release a statement regarding the matter.

The App Store plan comes after Google announced it would limit the visibility of un-updated apps on the Play Store. Starting November 1, Android apps are required to target an API level within two years of the most recent OS release.

A Call for Mobile SaaS Updates

Apple and Google’s recent plans push updating into becoming the foremost mobile app trend this year. Many software solutions leverage mobile apps to extend their capabilities. For instance, inventory management platforms use apps as sales tools while some property management systems leverage mobile apps for remote inspections. Not complying with Apple’s demands would limit the functionalities of many SaaS platforms.

Although the call for app updates causes inconvenience on the part of developers, it comes with a host of advantages. Regularly updating mobile apps gives the impression that developers are constantly improving their products. In addition, squashing bugs and adding requested features can turn users into loyal followers who would recommend the software to others. Some might even get to pioneer new features that will lead to a larger share of the market.

Moreover, an OS-based update would ensure that an app would fully function with the latest OS release. After all, new OS releases often render older apps incompatible, limiting or even shutting down their functionalities.

How Often Should a Mobile App be Updated?

There is no standard answer to this, given that apps have a wide variety of purposes and functions. However, it’s important to note that many leading apps perform an update nearly once a week at least after every 14 days. The reasons for this include bug fixes, UX improvements, delivering anticipated features, and user feedback.

As such, mobile updates don’t necessarily have to be new versions. Instead, they can be of the same version but with a smoother interface and more functional features. New features and interfaces can be reserved for new versions.