Apple Rejects AstroPad Update That Turned an iPad's Camera into a Software Button - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Rejects AstroPad Update That Turned an iPad's Camera into a Software Button

by

Screen Shot 1Astro HQ, the makers of popular iPad drawing app AstroPad Studio, yesterday announced that their plans for a "Camera Button" feature for the app have been scuppered by Apple.

The developers' clever hack that turns an iPad's front-facing camera into a functional software button was supposed to be coming in the next AstroPad Studio update, but Apple has rejected it on the grounds that the idea flouts App Store review guidelines.

The announcement came in a Medium.com post by Astro HQ titled "RIP Camera Button", which revealed that Apple had turned down the innovative iPad interaction because it broke the company's rules for iOS software.

We planned to introduce the Camera Button in an update to Astropad Studio going out today. However, we are disappointed to report that the Camera Button was rejected by Apple’s App Store review under Section 2.5.9:

Apps that alter or disable the functions of standard switches, such as the Volume Up/Down and Ring/Silent switches, or other native user interface elements or behaviors will be rejected.

1py8y178x 6Fb0HQZ04enTg
Apple is known for its strict adherence to App Store rules, so the rejection shouldn't really come as much of a surprise. But the news will also likely disappoint backers of AstroPad's forthcoming Luna display adapter, which turns an iPad into a wireless extended Mac desktop. The developers had hoped to include the Camera Button feature in the Luna software, but they've been forced to drop it from that, too.

Despite the setback, Astro HQ said their "urge to innovate" lives on, and that they remained "committed to pushing the boundaries of software and hardware engineering so that we can create the best productivity tools possible".

Tag: Astropad

Top Rated Comments

imran5720 Avatar
imran5720
113 months ago
What else they expected? its dangerous for privacy , i am sure they had to keep camera on all the time to make this feature work
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
mabhatter
113 months ago
What else they expected? its dangerous for privacy , i am sure they had to keep camera on all the time to make this feature work
Yup. If Apple lets one app do this then nine others will do this for nefarious intentions. It’s clever, but requires way too much trust of the developer.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
borgqueenx
113 months ago
Wouldnt this eat battery because the camera has to be on all the time?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
69Mustang
113 months ago
could easily be done with a "swipe-in-from-edge" gesture so it should be no problem at all.
I'm betting they realized that as well. Probably wanted a unique and novel operation that set their app apart. Apple just told them to get back in line and stop waving your hands.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
V
vjpulp
113 months ago
What else they expected? its dangerous for privacy , i am sure they had to keep camera on all the time to make this feature work
Maybe the camera IS on all the time – is there a way of knowing for sure? Astropad are the first ones to publicly admit that they hacked the cam, but who knows if other apps do that all the time without us knowing...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dotnet Avatar
dotnet
113 months ago
Perhaps this feature will come back one day, when developers get access to the true depth camera and intent detection. You'll then just wink at the device, or stick out your tongue to activate a UI function :D
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

New 'Apple One' Perk Extends to Chase's Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

Tuesday June 16, 2026 6:26 am PDT by
Yesterday, we reported that Chase's Sapphire Preferred credit card ($95 annual fee) now offers a complimentary one-year Apple TV streaming subscription, or a $7.50/month discount on an active Apple One subscription instead. It turns out that the Apple One discount now extends to Chase's premium Sapphire Reserve credit card too ($795 annual fee). The Sapphire Reserve has offered free...
Read Full Article • 27 comments
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Monday June 15, 2026 12:07 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced new perks for its Sapphire Preferred credit card, and one of them is a complimentary one-year Apple TV streaming subscription. To get the free year of Apple TV, which typically costs $12.99 per month in the U.S., you must activate the card by December 31, 2026. If you are already subscribed to Apple TV directly through Apple, the complimentary subscription from...
Read Full Article • 40 comments
Rivian Explains Why CarPlay Debate Will Become Completely Obsolete Feature

iOS 27 Adds Major New Feature to CarPlay

Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Last year, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, and the company finally provided more specific details about this functionality at WWDC 2026. In a WWDC 2026 video aimed at developers, Apple said the CarPlay video feature is available in new vehicles that support it. When playing a video in an...
Read Full Article