Apple just updated its Developer Program License Agreement and App Review Guidelines, impacting all developers. These revisions, effective instantly, address data privacy, API usage, and more. Specific changes include updates to requirements for ID Verifier apis, the declared Age Range API, and the Apple Games app. You’ll also find clarified guidelines on financial apps and the customization of icons and widgets. The App Review Guidelines,too,have seen key modifications. stay informed about these critical changes impacting your app development. For a deeper dive, News directory 3 has all the details. Discover what’s next for developers navigating these updates.
Apple Updates Developer Program License Agreement and App Review Guidelines
Apple has revised its Developer program License Agreement and App review Guidelines. The updates, designed to support new features and clarify existing policies, impact developers using Apple’s platform.
Several key sections of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement have been modified. Section 3.3.3(D) now features updated language concerning data and privacy requirements. The agreement also includes updated requirements for using ID Verifier apis (Section 3.3.3(N)), declared Age Range API, Wi-Fi Aware framework, TelephonyMessagingKit APIs, and Default Dialer APIs.
Further changes to the Apple Developer Program License Agreement include specified requirements for EnergyKit (Section 3.3.8(H), Attachment 11), the Foundation Models framework (Section 3.3.8(I)), and the iCloud Extended Share APIs (Attachment 4). Language regarding Bitcode submissions has been removed from Section 6.4, replaced with terms addressing iOS app widgets on CarPlay. TestFlight requirements related to digital purchases and tester invitations have been updated and clarified in Section 7.4(B). Sections 7.7 and 7.8 now feature updated language on customization of icons and widgets, and specified terms related to the Apple Games app, respectively. Attachment 6 includes updated terms regarding the entity that distributes the map in China.
The App Review Guidelines also saw revisions. Guideline 3.1.2(a), bullet 2, which allowed a single subscription across multiple apps and services, has been deleted. The language from bullet 5 of the same guideline has been moved to guideline 3.2.2(x). Guideline 3.2.1(viii) now clarifies that financial apps must possess the necessary licensing and permissions in all locations where they are available. The new Guideline 3.2.2(x), incorporating language from the former Guideline 3.1.2(a), bullet 5, permits developers to incentivize users to take specific actions within an app.
What’s next
Developers are encouraged to review the updated agreements and guidelines. Translations of the guidelines will be available on Apple’s website within a month.
