Developers Able to Respond to Customer Reviews in iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4 [Updated] - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Developers Able to Respond to Customer Reviews in iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4 [Updated]

by

App StoreAlongside iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4, Apple is introducing new App Store review features for developers.

Going forward, developers will be able to respond to customer reviews on the App Store "in a way that is available for all customers to see." This will allow developers to address negative reviews for the first time ever, something that has long been a point of contention in the iOS and Mac App Stores.

Previously, developers have had no way to respond to issues that customers report via an app review, or to further converse with a customer that has been having trouble with an app.

Developers are also able to ask customers to provide App Store ratings and reviews while using an app, allowing developers to get immediate feedback without requiring a customer to switch over to the App Store.

Apps are currently able to ask for reviews and ratings during usage, but doing so requires the App Store app to be opened up, interrupting an app or gameplay experience.

The new App Store ratings and reviews changes will be available to developers when iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4 are made available to the public.

Update: Apple also plans to limit the number of times developers can ask customers to write an App Store review for an app. Only three requests per year will be permitted.

Top Rated Comments

Corrode Avatar
123 months ago
Glad they're improving this. Even when I've wanted to leave a review after being asked, I have to switch to the App Store, click reviews, click leave a review, then type my App Store password, then write it. Rarely do I make it through that process.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
123 months ago
This is good news. One thing I hope they change is, instead of inserting your Apple ID password EVERYTIME you want to submit a review, they allow Touch ID.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IGI2 Avatar
123 months ago
This is good news. One thing I hope they change is, instead of inserting your Apple ID password EVERYTIME you want to submit a review, they allow Touch ID.
Exactly!

I can purchase (or my kid when I'm asleep by touching with my finger!) but I can't write a review? TouchID too insecure to validate COMMENTS?!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
123 months ago
Great news. Though, hopefully people will also learn that reviews are NOT the spot to go for support. If you have an issue, take it to the support channels. In many cases the problem is easy to solve or caused by the user, rather than the app itself. Developers don't deserve to have their product rankings drop because of easily solved issues, yet few will go back and revise their review once the problem is resolved.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iDento Avatar
123 months ago
Brilliant!

I'm not a developer, but this will make me pay more for apps with better support, which is better for the AppStore ecosystem in general.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
otternonsense Avatar
123 months ago
Imagine if it was Apple's developers actually conversing with their disgruntled product users. Maybe macrumors would be pretty vanilla after all the frustration is vented where it should instead of complaining on a forum ;)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Liquid Glass App Store Feature

Apple Updates App Store Guidelines With Stricter Rules for Low-Quality Apps

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:52 pm PDT by
Apple updated its App Store Review Guidelines this week, adding stricter language around low-quality apps. The 4.3 Spam rule already barred overly simple apps in saturated categories, but Apple now includes language saying low-effort apps could be pulled from the App Store. Apps in oversaturated categories that are not updated, improved, or do not attract customers may be removed, according...
iOS App Store General Feature Desaturated

Apple Introduces Major App Store Subscription Overhaul at WWDC 2026

Thursday June 11, 2026 6:50 am PDT by
Apple announced a sweeping set of new subscription tools for App Store developers at WWDC 2026, including cross-developer subscription bundles, group and enterprise purchasing options, retention tools, and a streamlined submission workflow. Subscription Bundles and Suites The main change is a new Bundle and Suite system that lets developers partner with each other to offer combined...
Liquid Glass App Store Feature

Apple Criticizes U.S. Antitrust Bill That Targets the App Store

Thursday June 11, 2026 2:49 pm PDT by
United States Senators Chuck Grassley and Amy Klobuchar this week reintroduced the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA) that targets major tech companies like Apple, and Apple is not happy to see it back. The bipartisan bill is reminiscent of the Digital Markets Act in the European Union, banning large platforms from favoring their own products or services, limiting competitors' ...