Tag: App Store

Apple is continuously implementing pricing tier updates announced in December. Now these update are applicable to app prices, all in-app purchase types.

On May 9, 2023, pricing for existing apps and one‑time in‑app purchases will be updated across all 175 App Store storefronts to take advantage of new enhanced global pricing. Unless developers explicitly update their price tiers for all storefronts, updates will be applied automatically based on US storefront prices. Developers are encouraged to update prices themselves.

Apple Developer: App Store pricing upgrades have expanded to all purchase types

App Store Connect: App Store Connect API 2.3

Apple requires BlueMail app developers to set its rating to 17+ due to use of generative AI models which potentially could provide responses not suitable for children.

This rule could be then extended to all apps working with generative models, especially GPT models which are getting traction recently.

References:

• Apple Seemingly Restricting Generative AI Apps to 17+ or Older App Store Rating
• Apple blocked ChatGPT-powered email app BlueMail; requires 17+ age restriction
• Apple Blocks Update of ChatGPT-Powered App, as Concerns Grow Over AI’s Potential Harm

Developers now could compare their app performance with similar apps on App Store. App Store Connect is updated to provide these metrics.

Similar apps are determined by category, business model, and number of downloads.

Metrics include conversion rate, retention rate on various durations, crash rate, and app proceedings.

Apple Developer:

• Peer group benchmarks now available in App Analytics
• View peer group benchmarks
• Take action on insights from benchmarks

References:

• Apple Introduces New Peer Group Benchmarks for Developers
• App Store Connect now lets developers use peer group benchmarks for metrics
• New App Store benchmarks let devs compare app performance to peers

Apple announces another series of sessions with App Store team from February 28 til April 13. Sessions include topics on app marketing, product pages, user acquisition, design, subscriptions, in-app events.

Apple to host sessions in multiple languages and different time zones to allow more users to participate.

Apple Developer: Meet with App Store experts

Apple Developer Events: Meet with App Store experts (schedule)

Apple updated approach it provides for subscription grace periods. Duration of grace period is not could be set manually (previously it was hardcoded for each subscription duration).

Billing grace period could be existing paid renewals or all subscription renewals (existing paid renewals and free offers transitioning to paid renewals).

Apple Developer: App Store Connect Update

Apple announces changes to pricing and tax rules for several countries. On February 13, 2023 prices of apps and in-app purchases excluding auto-renewable subscriptions will be adjusted. In some countries prices will remain the same but developer proceeds will be adjusted to accommodate tax changes.

On February 13, 2023, prices of apps and in-app purchases (excluding auto-renewable subscriptions) on the App Store will increase in Colombia, Egypt, Hungary, Nigeria, Norway, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Prices in Uzbekistan will decrease to reflect a reduction of the value-added tax rate from 15% to 12%. Your proceeds will be adjusted accordingly and will be calculated based on the tax-exclusive price.

While prices on the App Store in Ireland, Luxembourg, Singapore, and Zimbabwe won't change, your proceeds will be adjusted to reflect the following tax changes:

• Ireland: Reduction of value-added tax rate on electronic newspapers and periodicals from 9% to 0%
• Luxembourg: Reduction of value-added tax rate from 17% to 16%
• Singapore: Increase of goods and services tax rate from 7% to 8%
• Zimbabwe: Increase of value-added tax rate from 14.5% to 15%

Additionally, by the end of January proceeds will increase for local developers selling in Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.

Apple Developer

Apple Developer: Upcoming tax and price changes for apps and in‑app purchases

Apple will now add information on App Store application removal requests and actual removals in its transparency report.

According to investor group, Apple agreed to provide more information on reasons behind the takedowns on app-by-app basis.

References:

• Apple promises to detail why some apps are removed from the App Store
• Apple Transparency Report to Include App Takedowns

It's almost 2023. This good reads list come a little early, so you'll have time to celebrate New Year :)

• ChatGPT makes another appearance in our good reads – Static vs Dynamic Frameworks on iOS — a discussion with ChatGPT by Trevor Elkins and Max Topolsky;
  
  
• Improving your publication automation scripts – Authorizing App Store Connect API requests by Natascha Fadeeva;
  
  
• Majid Jabrayilov shares his review of 2022 – iOS development trends in review;
  
  
• Enum explained in-depth with code examples in Swift by Antoine van der Lee covers multiple enum use cases in Swift;
  
  
• RevenueCat shares upcoming updates for App Store receipt validation – App Store receipt signing certificate changes in 2023;
  
  
• Another great hint on accessibility in SwiftUI by Natalia Panferova – Image accessibility labels from Localizable.strings files;
  
  
• And an interesting article on macOS Gatekeeper – Gatekeeper’s Achilles heel: Unearthing a macOS vulnerability by Jonathan Bar Or.

We'd like to finish this issue with our Holiday Special podcast episode.

Happy New Year!

Apple updates WWDR signing certificate for App Store receipt validation on January 18, 2023. Existing certificate will expire on February 7, 2023.

If apps or backend uses specific validation techniques that use specific certificates, this code needs to be updated.

Apple: Apple PKI

Apple Developer: Upcoming changes to the App Store receipt signing certificate

Apple improves pricing approach for App Store apps and in-app purchases. Apple adds much more new price steps and conventions.

These new pricing enhancements will be available for apps offering auto-renewable subscriptions starting today, and for all other apps and in-app purchases in spring 2023, giving all developers unprecedented flexibility and control to price their products in 45 currencies throughout 175 storefronts.

Apple Newsroom

Also, developers will have control on local prices in different storefronts. Most of new capabilities will be available in spring 2023.

Apple Newsroom: Apple announces biggest upgrade to App Store pricing, adding 700 new price points

Apple Developer: Apple announces biggest upgrade to App Store pricing, adding 700 new price points