Some iPhone Apps Receive Mysterious Update 'From Apple' - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Some iPhone Apps Receive Mysterious Update 'From Apple'

Apple appears to be quietly updating some apps, based on curious new update notes that have appeared on the App Store.

Liquid Glass App Store Feature
Over the last week, some app updates have included notes that suggest the update is coming from Apple rather than an app developer. "This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included," reads the description.

Some of the apps that have been updated include Candy Crush Soda Saga, Sentry Mobile, Catan Universe, Bluetti, Mortal Kombat, Duet Display, VLC, and many more.

app store updates from apple
It's not clear what functionality Apple is improving with each app update, if any. One developer on Reddit said that Apple inserted the text into an app update that had the same version number and content as a prior update.

The update text is appearing on apps that have not been updated in some time, as well as apps that received recent updates, so it's not clear what the apps have in common. When analyzing the code of one of the apps that received an Apple update, MacRumors could not find what had changed.

Popular Stories

wwdc 2026 apple design awards

Apple Announces This Year's App Design Award Winners Ahead of WWDC 2026

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:18 am PDT by
WWDC is set to start on Monday, June 8, and ahead of the keynote event, Apple has announced the winners of its annual Apple Design Awards. The Apple Design Awards recognize apps and games for their innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement. Apple chose one app and one game for each of the six award categories. Delight and Fun - Grug (App) and Is This Seat Taken? (Game) Innovati...
Liquid Glass App Store Feature

Apple Bringing App Store Age Verification to Texas as SB 2420 Takes Effect June 4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:52 pm PDT by
Apple today said App Store rules in Texas are changing due to the enforcement of SB 2420, a law that adds age assurance requirements for app marketplaces and developers. Apple users located in Texas will soon be required to confirm whether they are 18 years or older when creating an Apple Account. Apple Accounts for users under 18 must be part of a Family Sharing group, and parents need to...
Apple App Store Awards 2025

Apple Highlights App Store Study: $1.4 Trillion in Sales Last Year, More Than 90% Commission-Free

Thursday June 4, 2026 7:58 am PDT by
Apple today highlighted a new study by economists at Analysis Group that outlines four key App Store stats for 2025. Ahead of WWDC 2026 next week, Apple's core message with this press release is that the App Store is reaching new heights and that "developers continue to thrive globally." App Store ecosystem facilitated a record $1.4 trillion in total billings and sales Apple received no...

Top Rated Comments

turbineseaplane Avatar
12 weeks ago
Every App now gets the U2 Album pre-installed!
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
12 weeks ago
I have seen this before a couple of years ago. Probably to update the FairPlay certificates so it can continue to work after a certain time
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zantafio Avatar
12 weeks ago
the Palantir plug in.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Non-Euclidean Avatar
12 weeks ago
Any post with a subject like this needs to have the X-Files theme song auto playing.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
12 weeks ago
Nice try, Apple. There's zero chance in hell I'll download candy crush.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmh600cbr Avatar
12 weeks ago
This is incredibly odd. Could be an api that deprecated but function was replaced by a new one?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)