Lead developer suggests that the binary is already finished

Dec 27, 2014 08:45 GMT  ·  By

On September 29, soon after iOS 8 rolled out publicly, everyone’s favorite video player could not be found in the App Store anymore. Those who already had VLC installed on their handsets were unaffected, but those who wanted to download the player as new were out of luck.

VideoLAN has been suspiciously silent on the matter, though it did confirm that the pulling had been their deed. The reasons were not stated. In a brief email conversation, the team actually asked us to refrain from making wild speculations and just wait for an update on their behalf. We respected their decision for the past few months. Today we’re reopening the topic for discussion because VLC is officially coming back to the iOS App Store.

Binary prepped and ready for shipping

Back in September, we showed readers how to get VLC back on their iDevices by simply locating the IPA file in their iTunes Library and dragging it back into the device using iTunes. Those who no longer have the IPA file are left with having to jailbreak and find the VLC for iOS application using their Google search skills.

But if you’re content with waiting another week or so, you should know that VLC for iOS is coming back to the App Store. According to lead developer Felix Paul Kuehne (answering a question about the player’s unavailability in Europe), “It will be again, but probably early next year due to the iTunes Connect holiday shutdown.”

In other words, the binary is ready and might have even been submitted to Apple. However, because of the scheduled iTunes Connect holiday shutdown (an annual affair), the binary will not be parsed until December 30, or later in January.

Queued submissions means a fair release date for everyone

Because of the sheer number of new apps and updates hitting iTunes Connect every day, Apple has to queue these requests. Which means that whoever submitted a new app or update before VideoLAN will see their product approved first.

Depending on how many new submissions have accumulated in the December 22 - 29 timeframe, VLC for iOS may or may not be re-launched in the App Store before New Year’s Eve.

However, going by Felix Paul Kuehne’s statement, it appears that VLC for iOS is ready and will make its way back into the App Store the moment Apple reaches it. Until then, there are a lot of other players you can download and use on your iDevice.

VLC for iOS (5 Images)

VLC on iPad
Felix Paul Kuehne replyVLC iPhone promo
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