ios_7_iconApple has published a new announcement for developers on its dev center website notifying them that all new App Store submissions must be built with the latest version of Xcode 5 and optimized for iOS 7.

Starting February 1, new apps and app updates submitted to the App Store must be built with the latest version of Xcode 5 and must be optimized for iOS 7. Learn more about preparing your apps by reviewing the iOS Human Interface Guidelines.

The new rule goes into effect on February 1, 2014 and means that any apps built on older versions of Xcode or non-iOS 7 optimized apps will be rejected from the App Store.

In addition, this also applies to app updates, providing some inspiration for developers to update their developer tools and optimize their apps for iOS 7 as the updates will be rejected otherwise. Optimizing an app for iOS 7 does not necessarily mean it needs to look different, but that the underlying construction of the app must be optimized for the new OS.

Earlier this month, Apple's App Store usage numbers indicated that iOS 7 had been installed on 74 percent of devices connected to the App Store. The new rule indicates Apple is eager to get developers to take advantage of iOS 7's high adoption rate and make their apps compatible with it to ensure higher user satisfaction.

Top Rated Comments

Bathplug Avatar
Bathplug
100 months ago
Developers that don't mean making your apps blinding bright white and plain.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sazivad Avatar
sazivad
100 months ago
Developers that don't mean making your apps blinding bright white and plain.
Developers who realize the need for night-themed apps are the best kind of developers.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oliversl Avatar
oliversl
100 months ago
This is a step backward. And part of the new "order" that Ive explained in june-2013. Now the metro copy UI is mandatory. iOS7 brings nothing new to the world of tech or design.

I will go to vomit now, take care.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
troop231 Avatar
troop231
100 months ago
Does 'Optimized for iOS 7' = no backwards compatibility with iOS 6?
Nope :)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Millah Avatar
Millah
100 months ago
In case some of you negative nancies missed this, it does not mean the apps need to LOOK like Apples iOS 7 apps. They can look however they want. They simply need to be built using the latest XCode and adopt new frameworks. You know, to ensure applications are at the very least COMPATIBLE with 7 and perform well. Kind of important when 3/4 of the install base is running 7.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
proline Avatar
proline
100 months ago
This is a step backward. And part of the new "order" that Ive explained in june-2013. Now the metro copy UI is mandatory. iOS7 brings nothing new to the world of tech or design.

I will go to vomit now, take care.
Go right ahead. Your vomit will fertilize the earth. Nobody cares. Meanwhile, Ive's work- iOS 7 + iPhone 5S- is going to make Apple very, very, merry this Christmas.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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