With the release of iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1, Apple is updating the App Store review guidelines provided to developers building apps for iPhones and iPads.
Apple now requires apps to grant the App Review team full access to an app with an active demo account, or demo mode for apps that include account-based features. The change will make it easier for app reviewers to examine all of an app’s parameters.
The guidelines now ban any concept that attempts to capitalize on, or profit from, “recent or current events such as violent conflict, acts of terrorism and epidemics.” With the Matter smart home standard now built into iOS, apps that support Matter must use Apple’s Matter support framework to initiate pairing.
Specifically, the update prevents apps from using NFTs (non-fungible tokens) to bypass in-app purchase rules. Apple’s policies state that apps can sell NFTs and related services through the in-app purchase system, but apps designed to allow users to view NFTs cannot use NFT ownership as a feature unlock mechanism or use features within an app. NFT browsing apps are allowed, but must not contain buttons, links, or other calls-to-action for purchase mechanisms other than in-app purchases.
App Store policies also prevent music from iTunes and Apple Music previews from being used for entertainment purposes and allow apps to facilitate cryptocurrency transactions as long as the functionality is only offered in countries where the app is licensed.
For Apple’s full “App Store” policies, visit the Apple Developer website.
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