14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has started informing developers of iOS applications with "hot code push" SDKs that such apps will soon be rejected from the App Store, 9to5Mac found. Developers took to Apple Developer Forums to report that they started receiving messages from the company.
Apple informed developers to start removing the code before any further updates would be approved. Apple even sent an email to Rollout.io explaining that the app, extension and/or linked framework containing code that violates section 3.3.2 of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement and App Store Review Guideline 2.5.2 would not get approved for inclusion in the Store.
The code allows the developer to change the app’s behavior or functionality after receiving App Review approval. It seems that developers with Rollout.io integration in their apps have received the message from Apple.
Rollout.io lets users modify apps in real time
Some developers have chosen to integrate Rollout.io in their apps, which is a SDK that allows them to react to production issues and bring changes to apps in real time. Existing codes don’t need to be modified in advance and the SDK allowed developers to fix bugs, add toggles or make other changes to data in applications.
Obviously, the changes would have been made after the app received approval from Apple, which means that the Cupertino company wouldn’t have been able to review the modifications. With this move, Apple intends to filter apps in the Store and make sure that user data is safe.
At this point, there’s no specific information on Apple’s policy regarding hot code push services like Rollout. But the company’s email clearly states that if developers want to push official updates through the App Store, they would need to remove the Rollout code or else Apple will reject the update.
Apple started a thorough cleaning process of the App Store last fall, when it announced that applications that don’t comply with updated guidelines would be removed completely.