Apple Developer Program

When Apple released the first iOS 17 beta to developers, for the first time it gave non-developers the opportunity to download beta software updates on their iPhones for free. Keep reading to learn how it's done. In years past when Apple has announced a major new operating system update, the first wave of betas has officially only been available to download if you are a paying subscriber to A...

In iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4, Apple has changed the way users opt-in to developer and public beta updates on iPhone and iPad. Keep reading to learn why the change was made and how to turn it on. Going forward, Apple is changing things up so that developers no longer need to install a profile from the Developer Center in order to get developer betas. Instead, users who are enrolled in...

Apple today informed developers that it is making new App Store marketing tools available for use, providing developers with a simple way to create short links, embeddable code with app icon and product page, QR codes, and more. Take advantage of new marketing resources to promote your apps around the world. You can now generate short links or embeddable code that lead to your App Store...

After being announced earlier this year at WWDC, Apple has now released enhanced sandbox testing to developers. The feature will allow developers to test their in-app purchases for a wide range of scenarios, such as upgrades, downgrades, cancellations, introductory offers, and interrupted purchases. The Apple sandbox environment lets you test in-app purchases on devices using product...

Apple today informed developers about an upcoming Subscription Code feature that's designed to allow developers to offer up discounted or free auto-renewable subscriptions to lure customers. Later this year, you'll be able to acquire, retain, and win back subscribers with subscription offer codes: unique, alphanumeric codes that provide free or discounted prices for auto-renewable...

Apple today began informing developers of upcoming App Store pricing changes in several countries due to tax changes, with the prices of apps and in-app purchases affected. Prices are shifting in Chile, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Chile: New value-added tax of 19% Mexico: New value-added tax of 16% Saudi Arabia: Increase in value-added tax from 5% to 15% Turkey: New...

Apple in iOS 14 added a new App Attest API to the DeviceCheck feature that helps keep iOS apps secure. Apple today sent out a reminder to developers, letting them know about the new API. App Attest is designed to reduce fraudulent app use, generating a cryptographic key on a device to verify app integrity before the server provides access, which will help cut down on hacked apps and apps...

As part of an ongoing antitrust inquiry into Apple's App Store policies, U.S. antitrust regulators are looking into the 30 percent cut that Apple takes from in-app subscriptions, reports Bloomberg. Government lawyers have been meeting with developers over the course of the last several months, and in meetings as recent as last week, developers have been asked questions about Apple's...

Apple hosts a Swift Student Challenge ahead of WWDC each year, tasking students with creating an innovative Swift Playgrounds project. Apple has been highlighting Swift Student Challenge winners in 2020, and today shared some of the projects students created on the Apple Developer site. Brazilian student Henrique Conto, for example, created a three-minute Touch Bar game where players help a...

Apple is introducing a new in-app purchase server notification system that lets developers know when a customer requests and receives a refund for an in-app purchase, allowing the developer to take an appropriate action, such as revoking the purchased item. Developers are not involved in Apple's refund process, which is handled by the company. Prior to now, when a user requested and received ...

Apple today updated App Store Connect on the web, based on tweets from developers who are pleased with the newly introduced interface changes. ‌App Store‌ Connect is designed to let app developers manage the apps that they have available for download in the ‌App Store‌. New UI on the App Store Connect dashboard! #iOS pic.twitter.com/QBAJaLlynC— illustratorSal (@thatsalih) June 16, 2020 ...

Apple today informed developers that it has launched a new open source project that's designed to let those who develop password management apps create strong passwords compatible with popular websites. The new Password Manager Resources open source project allows password management apps to integrate website-specific requirements used by the iCloud Keychain password manager to generate...

Apple is inviting some developers to a special Accessibility session designed to teach them how iOS apps can take advantage of accessibility features built into the operating system, according to an email shared by developer Steve Troughton-Smith. The event, set to be held on April 23, will be an online session that takes place live, with developers able to ask questions and sign up for...

Apple today informed developers that it has released updated Human Interface Guidelines for HealthKit, providing new guidance on using the Apple Health app icon, additional guidance on using Apple Health-related terms, and new privacy and data usage guidelines. HealthKit is the SDK that allows developers to create integrations with the Apple Health app for health and fitness-focused apps,...

Apple today updated its Apple Developer app to add new features related to video watching and sharing. The Apple Developer app was formerly known as the WWDC app, and it is where content from this year's digital WWDC event will be accessible to developers. Today's update introduces multiple playback speeds for watching videos, an option to interact with full video transcripts, and a feature...

macOS versions of apps can now be included as part of a universal purchase, which allows customers to purchase a single app (or in-app purchase) that works across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Apple says that developers can get ready to use the feature by assigning a single bundle ID for apps in Xcode and setting up their app record for universal purchase using App Store Connect. A ...

Apple today informed developers that starting on April 30, 2020, all iPhone and iPad apps submitted to the App Store must be built with iOS and iPadOS 13 SDK or later. Apple previously told developers that iOS and iPadOS 13 SDKs would be required as of April, but did not give a specific date.iOS 13 is now running on 77% of all iOS devices introduced in the last four years, worldwide. Deliver ...

Apple today informed developers that it has released updated App Store Review Guidelines, with changes that cover reviews, spam, push notifications, Sign in with Apple, data collection and storage, mobile device management, and more. Apple's new guidelines can be found on its developer website, but we've highlighted a few notable changes below. 1.4.4 - Apps used to commit or attempt to...

Apple has disabled the developer account of New York City-based facial recognition startup Clearview AI and provided the company with 14 days to respond for violating the rules of its enterprise program, according to BuzzFeed News. As part of the program, Apple issues enterprise certificates to large organizations to deploy select apps to their employees for internal use only, but the report...

Apple offers free Developer Program memberships to nonprofit organizations, accredited educational institutions, and government entities that distribute free apps on the App Store. These free memberships have been available in countries that include the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Japan, and Brazil, but as of today, they're also expanding to eight new countries. Eligible...

Apple today informed developers about the release of a new Reality Converter App, which is designed to allow users to convert, view, and customize USDZ 3D objects on the Mac. Common 3D file formats like .obj, .gltf, and .usd can be dragged and dropped into the Reality Converter app, which offers up a converted USDZ result that can be then be edited and customized. The app supports adding...

Apple today told developers that it is offering a set of tools to help them fulfill data requests made by users in the European Union or other places around the world to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that goes into effect in May. Following the implementation of the GDPR developers will need to comply with customer requests for accessing, managing, restricting, and...