Apple Says COVID 'Health Pass' Apps Are Limited to Developers Working With Public Health Authorities

Tuesday February 16, 2021 4:03 pm PST by Juli Clover

Apple today informed developers that "health pass" apps can only be submitted by developers that are working with recognized public health authorities.

A "health pass" app is classified as an app that generates a pass that's used to enter buildings and access in-person services based on testing and vaccination records.

Apple says that to make sure these apps are responsibly handling sensitive data and providing reliable functionality, they're being limited to developers work with test kit manufacturers, laboratories, and healthcare providers.

With the recent release of COVID-19 vaccines, we've seen an increase in apps that generate health passes used to enter buildings and access in-person services based on testing and vaccination records. To ensure these apps responsibly handle sensitive data and provide reliable functionality, they must be submitted by developers working with entities recognized by public health authorities, such as test kit manufacturers, laboratories, or healthcare providers. As with other apps related to COVID-19, we also accept apps submitted directly by government, medical, and other credentialed institutions.

Apple has been restricting COVID 19-related apps since March. Apps providing data on COVID must be submitted by developers working with recognized entities such as government organizations, health-focused NGOs, companies deeply credentialed in health issues, and medical or educational institutions. Apple does not allow COVID 19-themed entertainment or game apps, nor any other app not submitted by a qualified developer.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tags: Apple Developer Program, COVID-19 Coronavirus Guide, Exposure Notification Guide, Health

Popular Stories

Apple Developer App Gets Liquid Glass Makeover and New WWDC 2026 Stickers

Monday May 11, 2026 10:47 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today updated its Apple Developer app, introducing a Liquid Glass redesign and giving developers some WWDC-themed stickers that can be used in the Messages app. The Apple Developer app has a revamped Liquid Glass icon that reintroduces some older design elements while adopting the translucent Liquid Glass aesthetic. The icon has a pencil, paintbrush, and ruler that form the "A" shape,...

• 29 comments

11 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 18 Pro

Monday May 11, 2026 9:01 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

We're only four months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a sea change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year, adopting a...

• 35 comments

iOS 26.5 Features: Everything New in iOS 26.5

Monday May 11, 2026 5:09 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Apple released iOS 26.5 after a few months of beta testing, and while it doesn't have the Siri features we were hoping for since those are being held until iOS 27, there are a handful of useful changes worth knowing about. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. End-to-End Encryption for RCS Support for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and...

• 64 comments

Top Rated Comments

techno96

68 months ago

The only way we’re going to eradicate this virus and return to some semblance of normal is if a large majority of people are vaccinated and those who choose not to are kept isolated from the rest of society.

You are the definition of the problem. By your standard, why can we not get back to normal with people who choose to vaccinate getting vaccinated, and those who don't, don't? Why do you care if someone chooses not to get the protection afforded by a vaccine?

You said "but others get to choose whether you get to participate in collective events limited to those who have taken steps to protect themselves and those around them"

The vaccine, as far as we know, doesn't protect other people, because right now they are saying you can still both get and spread the virus after being vaccinated.

So, if that is true, why do you care if someone else gets it, if they choose not to vaccinate? You are at no more risk if you have it. It literally doesn't effect you at all and yet you want to force your ideals into someones arm and then shun them from society if they don't conform.

Personally, I'm getting the vaccine, but this idea that "oh well you have to get it or else we can't let you in places because muh safety" is gross. The science right now is just that the vaccine will prevent death in most cases, but you still get it and spread it, so the vaccine only helps the individual who gets it, and no one else.

I don't believe that you actually care about the lives so much of the people who don't want to get it that you want to force them into their homes for their own safety, I think you're just a miserable authoritarian who doesn't want to be around anyone who doesn't do what you want them to do.

Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)

mariusignorello

68 months ago

Very happy to see Apple getting a head start on this and insuring privacy protections are in place from the get go. Getting tested and vaccinated will generate a Pass in Wallet which will enable others to choose whether to grant you access to their buildings and/or services.

Cue those inevitably complaining about “forced vaccination” in order to access buildings and services like sports, concerts, movie theatres, restaurants, flights and passage into to other countries.

You are perfectly free to choose whether you’re vaccinated but others get to choose whether you get to participate in collective events limited to those who have taken steps to protect themselves and those around them. Don’t want to get vaccinated? You can be “free” at home on the couch.

The only way we’re going to eradicate this virus and return to some semblance of normal is if a large majority of people are vaccinated and those who choose not to are kept isolated from the rest of society.

Love to see how you think ramming someone into a corner and forcing it down their throat is the right approach. You are exactly what’s wrong with society and authoritarian governing.

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

and 1989 others

68 months ago

This whole concept is very very concerning. Dystopia is becoming reality.

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

code-m

68 months ago

The entire temperature of the country was impacted by that horrible man and people have stopped caring for each other, masks alone back in March/April could have saved 200,000 lives.

You say this with such certainty, any proof to back this up or is this one of those hindsight is 20/20 things and you are just pulling numbers from the air.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)