iOS app approvals

Applicants have been denied apps for fundamentally duplicating Apple apps, for example by providing an email interface with no added functionality or use,{{cite web |last=Palmer |first=Robert |url=http://www.tuaw.com/2008/09/22/apple-rejects-another-app-for-duplicating-functionality/ |title=Apple rejects another app for duplicating functionality |publisher=Tuaw.com |date=2008-09-22 |access-date=2009-12-02 |archive-date=2010-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413143657/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/09/22/apple-rejects-another-app-for-duplicating-functionality/ |url-status=dead }} or having the same elements as the built in SMS app.{{cite web |url=http://blog.syncode.com.au/2009/07/21/itweetreply-1-1-rejected/ |title=Syncode - Blog – iTweetReply 1.1 Rejected |publisher=Blog.syncode.com.au |access-date=2009-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025212558/http://blog.syncode.com.au/2009/07/21/itweetreply-1-1-rejected/ |archive-date=25 October 2009 |url-status=dead }} Applications have also been rejected for duplicating the functionality of iTunes.{{cite web|url=http://almerica.blogspot.com/2008/09/podcaster-rejeceted-because-it.html |title=Almerica's Blog About Technology and Other Interesting Stuff: Podcaster rejeceted because it duplicates iTunes functionality |publisher=Almerica.blogspot.com |date=2008-09-11 |access-date=2009-12-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091115133413/http://almerica.blogspot.com/2008/09/podcaster-rejeceted-because-it.html| archive-date= 15 November 2009 | url-status= live}} Applications may be rejected if they are of only "limited utility".{{cite web|url=https://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/09/04/apple-rejecting-applications-based-on-limited-utility/ |title=MacRumors iPhone Blog: Apple Rejecting Apps Based on 'Limited Utility' |publisher=Macrumors.com |date=2008-09-04 |access-date=2009-12-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091115133412/http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/09/04/apple-rejecting-applications-based-on-limited-utility/| archive-date= 15 November 2009 | url-status= live}} Some reports indicate that toolbars must be placed at the bottom of the screen, and the vibration function should only be used for alerts.{{cite web|last=Sadun |first=Erica |url=http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/08/dear-auntie-tuaw-appstore-rejection/ |title=Dear Auntie TUAW: AppStore Rejection |publisher=Tuaw.com |date=2008-08-08 |access-date=2009-12-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091205155918/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/08/dear-auntie-tuaw-appstore-rejection/| archive-date= 5 December 2009 | url-status= live}}

Launched in July 2008, the App Store averaged about $1 million in application sales a day in its first month of existence.{{cite web|title=AppStore|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/134960/2008/08/appstore.html}} To get applications into the App Store, developers were required to submit their app and wait for approval or rejection by Apple. Rejected apps were given feedback on the reason they were rejected so they could be modified and resubmitted.{{cite web|title=Thoughts on the iPhone App Review Process|url=http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/07/thoughts-on-the-iphone-app-store-review-process/|access-date=2011-01-28|archive-date=2015-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219065158/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/07/thoughts-on-the-iphone-app-store-review-process|url-status=dead}}

The approval process for Apple App Store has changed over time in terms of its feedback to developers and the time delay for apps to be approved. In the year July 2009, the application could take weeks. Apple streamlined the process at the end of 2009, and some apps were processed in a few days.{{cite web|title=Apple's New Years Resolution|url=http://www.tuaw.com/2010/01/09/apples-new-years-resolution-get-apps-through-approval-faster/|access-date=2011-01-28|archive-date=2015-01-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131122602/http://www.tuaw.com/2010/01/09/apples-new-years-resolution-get-apps-through-approval-faster/|url-status=dead}} In addition, in December 2009, the App Store began providing detailed feedback to developers on the approval process rather than simply showing "Waiting for Approval" and "Approved" or "Rejected".

In 2010, the iPad app approval process could have been lengthy, similar to the weeks experienced previously for iPhone applications. In June 2010, Steve Jobs at WWDC 2010 said 95% of apps were processed within 7 business days.[http://allthingsd.com/20100607/wwdc-2010-steve-jobs-on-the-app-store/ WWDC 2010 Steve Jobs on the App Store]. According to Apple's developer portal as of 3 July 2014, 98% of new and updated apps were processed within 5 business days.[https://developer.apple.com/appstore/resources/approval/index.html App Store Approval Process]. Retrieved 17 July 2014.

As of 2024, the app review times have decreased significantly with an app being reviewed within less than 12 hours on average and 90% of apps being reviewed in under 24 hours.{{Cite web |title=How Long it Takes to Publish an App - Insights From 238 Apps |url=https://webtoapp.design/blog/time-to-publish-apps |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=webtoapp.design}}

On September 9, 2010, Apple published official App Store Review Guidelines for developers.{{Cite web |title=App Review Guidelines |url=https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=Apple Developer}} At this time several development restrictions were lifted and many developers of previously rejected applications were asked to resubmit their applications under the new guidelines. The App Review Guideline Document is a living document that Apple can change at any time. The guidelines cover a wide array of rules and are categorized into five sections:

1. Safety: Apps should not contain objectionable content, cause physical harm and must follow additional strict requirements if they are listed in the "Kids" category.
2. Performance: Apps should be ready for real-world usage and work as a user would expect them to, without causing technical problems.
3. Business: Apps must use in-app-purchases under certain circumstances and are prohibited from offering certain services.
4. Design: Apps should provide value to the App Store, which excludes clones of existing apps and apps with very limited functionality.
5. Legal: Apps must respect intellectual property and users' privacy and disclose how they use users' data.

Apple checks each app against these guidelines before approving it for sale and inclusion on the App Store.

Over time, requirements have evolved as trends have appeared in application development. For example, applications accessing the user's location for advertising were valid prior to the fall of 2009. After this point, apps were rejected that did not provide more robust user experience beyond simply using location data for advertising. Other requirements, such as using undocumented APIs, have always led to rejection.

Apps that get featured will get promoted by Apple within the App Store, typically within a specific app category. There are no specific guidelines for getting an app featured,{{Cite web|url=https://www.mobileappdaily.com/submit-app-on-app-store|title=How to Put an App on the App Store: A Step-By-Step Guide}} but in some notable cases, app developers that gather feedback directly from Apple before releasing their app have indicated that this improves chances of getting featured.{{Cite web|url=http://www.internetretailer.com/2014/03/24/how-threadless-sewed-top-spot-apples-app-store|title = Retail Ecommerce Research & News – Digital Commerce 360}}

In May 2009, Apple rejected the first version of 'Newspapers', an iPhone app that let users read content from 50+ newspapers around the world, including the New York Times, France's Le Monde, and the United Kingdom tabloid The Sun. The app was rejected because the topless "Page 3" girls daily features were described as "obscene". A second version of the application was submitted, removing access to The Sun, and adding a price tag of £0.59. The app was made available in the summer, after the release of the iPhone OS 3.0 software.{{cite news |last=Andrews |first=Robert |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/pda/2009/may/06/sun-newsinternational |title=The Sun's 'obscene' Page 3 girls get iPhone newspaper app banned by Apple |work=The Guardian |date=2009-05-06 |access-date=2025-04-03 |location=London}}{{cite web |last=Sherwood |first=James |url=http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/05/05/the_sun_app_ban/ |title=Apple bans Page 3 from iPhone app |publisher=Reghardware.co.uk |date=2009-05-05 |access-date=2009-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126013657/http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/05/05/the_sun_app_ban/ |archive-date=2009-11-26 |url-status=dead }} Another application, of similar nature to 'Newspapers', called 'Eucalyptus' allowed users to download e-books to their iPhone, though was rejected by Apple because one of the e-books that could have been downloaded was the Kama Sutra. The ban has since been lifted.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Bobbie |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2009/may/24/iphone-ban-eucalyptus |title=Apple backtracks over ban on ebook application Eucalyptus |work=The Guardian |date=2009-05-24 |access-date=2025-04-03 |location=London}}

{{quotation|We do believe we have a moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone ... Folks who want porn can buy an Android phone|Steve Jobs}}

{{quotation|We can't adapt European magazines to the standards of Utah.|Mathias Müller von Blumencron (editor of Der Spiegel, warning that the news magazine would not alter its content for the App Store)}}

The App Store has Playboy and Sports Illustrated adult-rated apps that have yet to be removed, while some apps by others were removed citing adult content which has resulted in accusations of hypocrisy. Despite this, adult sites continue to market for iPhone and iPad users.{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/02/23/apple-iphone-pornography-ban/ |title=Apple, There's Pornography On My iPhone. The App Is Called Safari. You Made It. |author=MG Siegler |date=Feb 23, 2010 |work=TechCrunch |access-date=30 May 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100527012145/http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/23/apple-iphone-pornography-ban/| archive-date= 27 May 2010 | url-status= live}}{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/02/20/app-store-rules-sexy/ |title=The New App Store Rules: No Swimsuits, No Skin, And No Innuendo |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |date=Feb 20, 2010 |work=TechCrunch |access-date=30 May 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100526230444/http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/20/app-store-rules-sexy/| archive-date= 26 May 2010 | url-status= live}}{{cite web |url=http://prismcomics.org/display.php?id=1858 |title=iPad Publishing No Savior for Small Press, LGBT Comics Creators |author=Charles "Zan" Christensen |date=May 24, 2010 |work=Prism Comics |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529161653/http://prismcomics.org/display.php?id=1858 |archive-date=29 May 2010 |url-status=dead }} In November 2009, the application of Stern (a mainstream German weekly magazine with a print circulation of about 900,000) was deleted for several weeks without warning.{{cite news|last=Pfanner |first=Eric |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/technology/15cache.html |title=Publishers Question Apple's Rejection of Nudity |work=The New York Times |date=2010-03-14 |access-date=2025-04-03 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100330224732/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/technology/15cache.html |archive-date=30 March 2010 |url-status= live}}{{cite web |last=Goebel |first=Markus |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/03/29/europes-biggest-publisher-embraces-the-wepad/ |title=Europe's biggest publisher embraces the WePad |work=TechCrunch |date=2010-03-29 |access-date=2010-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414011954/http://eu.techcrunch.com/2010/03/29/europes-biggest-publisher-embraces-the-wepad/ |archive-date=14 April 2010 |url-status=live}} In January 2010, Europe's largest newspaper, German tabloid Bild, removed content from the iPhone version of its print edition at the request of Apple, and later it had to modify one of its applications – like in the Stern case because of nudity.Mercedes Bunz: [https://www.theguardian.com/media/pda/2010/mar/09/bild-iphone-app German publisher in row with Apple over pin-ups in iPhone app] The Guardian, 9 March 2010 The Association of German Magazine Publishers (VDZ) warned that with such interventions Apple might be moving towards censorship.

The Guardian described rejection of explicit content by Apple as analogous to that of the distributor WHSmith, a main distributor which for many years imposed content restrictions on British publishers. Workers at the fashion magazine Dazed & Confused have nicknamed their iPad edition the "Iran edition".{{cite news |last=Schofield |first=Jack |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/may/10/ipad-apple|title=Wikipedia's porn purge, and cleaning up for the iPad |date=2010-05-10|work=The Guardian}}

In December 2009, Apple banned a cartoon app called NewsToons by cartoonist Mark Fiore, on the grounds that it "ridiculed public figures."{{cite magazine

|author = Paul, Ian

| title = Apple Rejects Pulitzer Prize Winner's App

| magazine = PC World

| date = 2010-04-16

| url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/194387/apple_rejects_pulitzer_prize_winners_app.html

| access-date = 2010-04-17

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100418015524/http://www.pcworld.com/article/194387/apple_rejects_pulitzer_prize_winners_app.html| archive-date= 18 April 2010 | url-status= live}} In April 2010, Fiore won the Pulitzer prize for his political satire cartoons, making history as the very first internet-only cartoonist to win the prestigious journalistic prize.{{cite web |url=https://apple.slashdot.org/story/10/04/15/2059238/Apple-Blocks-Cartoonist-From-App-Store |title=Apple Blocks Cartoonist From App Store |date=15 April 2010 |work=Slashdot |access-date=2025-04-03}} Following public outcry after the story broke in the wake of the award, Apple asked Fiore to resubmit his app, and it was subsequently accepted. Fiore said, "Sure, mine might get approved, but what about someone who hasn’t won a Pulitzer and who is maybe making a better political app than mine? Do you need some media frenzy to get an app approved that has political material?"{{cite news

|author = Stelter, Brian

| title = A Pulitzer Winner Gets Apple's Reconsideration

| newspaper = New York Times

| date = 2010-04-16

| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/books/17cartoonist.html

| access-date = 2010-04-17

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100417101820/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/books/17cartoonist.html| archive-date= 17 April 2010 | url-status= live}}

In April 2009, a game called Baby Shaker was approved for the App Store then later removed due to complaints. The game allowed the user to shake their phone in order to quiet a crying cartoon baby onscreen.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8015876.stm |title=Anger at Baby Shaker game |work=BBC News |date=2009-04-24}} The app was criticized for making light of shaken baby syndrome, a condition where shaking a baby results in severe brain injury.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/30354894/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/t/baby-shaker-app-pulled-iphone-store/#.VatWNYu9akg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529151331/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/30354894/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/t/baby-shaker-app-pulled-iphone-store/#.VatWNYu9akg |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 29, 2014 |title='Baby Shaker' app pulled from iPhone store |last=Choney |first=Suzanne |publisher=NBC |date=22 April 2009 |access-date=19 July 2015}}

In May 2009, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails announced, via his Twitter account, that Apple had rejected an update to the Nine Inch Nails application due to "objectionable content".{{cite web|author=trent_reznor|url=https://twitter.com/trent_reznor|title=Trent Reznor (trent_reznor) on Twitter|publisher=Twitter.com|access-date=December 2, 2009}} The developer posted a message on the Nine Inch Nails discussion boards explaining the situation further:

v1.0 is live. v1.0.3 got rejected due to content yet the app has no content in it. This was mainly a stability release to fix the bug that crashes the app for international users. The bug was fixed 24 hours after 1.0 went live and we have been waiting for Apple to approve it ever since. Meanwhile the app continues to get a growing number of 1 star ratings from international users understandably frustrated by the bug, "but looks like our hands are tied".{{cite web|url=http://forum.nin.com/bb/read.php?9,651569,651866#msg-651866|title=NIN iPhone app rejection|publisher=Forum.nin.com|access-date=December 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507182214/http://forum.nin.com/bb/read.php?9%2C651569%2C651866#msg-651866|archive-date=May 7, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

Apple later permitted the update.[https://coreoptimizers.com/iphone-app-development IOS application development services]

In December 2009, Ted Lando's eBook app "Take Control of iPhone OS 3" was rejected by Apple. The app was not permitted back into the App Store until all references to jailbreaking were removed.{{cite news|url=https://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/rejected_by_apple |title=Rejected By Apple |publisher=Mac Observer |access-date=June 16, 2016}}

In August 2012, Josh Begley created a drone strike iPhone app that sent out a push notification whenever a US military drone aircraft struck a target. The app was rejected, Apple finding the content "objectionable and crude".{{cite web|url=http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/27914/apple-bans-drone-strike-app|title=Apple bans 'drone strike' app|date=31 August 2012|publisher=Infosecurity Magazine|access-date=November 5, 2012}}

In September 2019, an anonymous developer submitted an app called HKmap.live to App Store, which is tracking police vehicles, armed officers and incidents in which people have been injured during 2019–20 Hong Kong protests. But Apple had rejected the app, and reversed its decision on October 4. People's Daily, the official media in China, has criticized Apple's action. On October 9, Apple announced that the app was removed.{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3032081/apple-draws-fire-china-selling-app-maps-police-activity-hong-kong|title=Apple under fire from China over HKmap.live app that tracks police activity amid Hong Kong protests|publisher=South China Morning Post|date=9 October 2019 |access-date=10 October 2019 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/09/technology/apple-hong-kong-app.html|title=Apple Removes App That Tracked Hong Kong Police|work=The New York Times|date=9 October 2019 |access-date=10 October 2019 }}

{{Main article|I Am Rich}}

I Am Rich was a 2008 iOS application developed by Armin Heinrich. When launched, the screen contained only a glowing red gem and an icon that, when pressed, displayed the following mantra in large text:

{{quote|text=I am rich
I {{sic|deserv}} it
I am good,
healthy & successful}}

The application is described as "a work of art with no hidden function at all", with its only purpose being to show other people that they were able to afford it; I Am Rich was sold on the App Store for {{US$|999.99|2008}}, {{€|799.99}} (equivalent to €934.74 in 2021), and {{GBP|599.99|2008}}, the highest price Apple allowed for App Store content for the time.

Then on August 6, 2008, exactly one day after it was launched, Apple removed the app from the App Store without explanation.

In response to the United States v. Apple (2024) lawsuit (specifically about the section regarding "super-apps"), and growing European Union regulatory pressure, guideline 4.3, dictating mini-apps was edited allowing game emulators on to the store worldwide.{{Cite web |last=Nield |first=David |date=2024-04-07 |title=Retro game emulators are now allowed in the iOS App Store, but there are caveats |url=https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/retro-game-emulators-are-now-allowed-in-the-ios-app-store-but-there-are-caveats |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=TechRadar}}{{Cite web |last=Mauran |first=Cecily |date=2024-04-14 |title=Gaming emulators are now on the App Store after Apple relaxed the rules |url=https://mashable.com/article/gaming-emulators-ios-app-store-apple-relaxed-rules |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Mashable}} Previously, video game emulators were not allowed even if they were officially licensed due to rules about downloading execuatable code,{{Cite web |date=2009-06-20 |title=Full Commodore 64 Emulator Rejected from App Store – TouchArcade |url=https://toucharcade.com/2009/06/20/full-commodore-64-emulator-rejected-from-app-store/ |access-date=2024-05-08}} and emulators disguising themselves as file managers, baby name apps, and augmented reality mustache apps, getting removed quickly.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=2014-12-23 |title=Floppy Cloud Sneaks An NES And SNES Emulator Into The iTunes App Store |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/12/23/floppy-cloud-is-the-latest-emulator-to-sneak-into-to-itunes-app-store/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=TechCrunch}} After the rule changed, a clone of GBA4iOS named iGBA was allowed on the App Store, supporting import of Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance ROMs, but was taken down due to copying the GBA4iOS app under the Spam and Copyright guidelines.{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Brad |date=2024-04-13 |title=The first real emulator arrives in iOS App Store [Update] |url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2024/04/13/the-first-real-emulator-arrives-on-ios-app-store/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=MobileSyrup}}{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Wes |date=2024-04-14 |title=The first Apple-approved emulator for the iPhone has arrived... and been pulled |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/14/24129981/game-boy-emulator-igba-iphone-ios-app-store-gba4ios-testut-knock-off |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=The Verge}} A Nintendo Entertainment System emulator named Bimmy was available for a few hours, but was taken down by the creator due to fears of legal action by Nintendo.https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/16/bimmy-nes-emulator-is-the-latest-game-emulation-app-for-iphone-ipad-and-mac/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Wes |date=2024-04-16 |title=A new NES emulator was briefly available on the Apple App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/16/24132351/iphone-apple-app-store-nes-emulator-bimmy-removed |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=The Verge}} A Commodore 64 emulator was also added to the app store.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Alan |date=2024-04-14 |title=First iPhone console emulators arrive on App Store |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/first-iphone-console-emulators-arrive-on-app-store |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Tom's Guide}} The official Delta emulator app (the official successor to GBA4iOS also supporting NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, and Nintendo DS as well as the GameBoy Series) supporting a variety of Nintendo systems was published shortly after the removal of Bimmy for free in the USA,{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Wes |date=2024-04-17 |title=The free Delta game emulator for iPhones is live on Apple's App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/17/24132984/delta-free-emulator-nintendo-gba-n64-iphone-app-store-us |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=The Verge}}{{cite web |last=Holt |first=Kris |url=https://www.engadget.com/nintendo-emulator-delta-hits-the-ios-app-store-no-sideloading-required-201158987.html |title=Nintendo emulator Delta hits the iOS App Store, no sideloading required |website=Engadget |date=2024-04-17 |access-date=2025-04-03}} but to install in EU you need to pay 1.50 euro a year subscription to AltStore PAL.{{Cite web |last=Ricker |first=Thomas |date=2024-04-17 |title=Third-party iPhone app store AltStore PAL is now live in Europe |url=https://www.theverge.com/24100464/altstore-pal-dma-eu-launch-delta-nintendo-emulator-clip-clipboard-manager |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=The Verge}}

All iOS App Store applications must support sandboxing and list all permissions required for the correct functionality.Jannie Zaaiman, Louise Leenan Iccws 2015 - The Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security, Academic Conferences Limited, 2015, pp. 160

During the review process, each application is manually tested, and static analysis is run on its binary code.{{Cite web|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/2047567/how-apple-is-improving-mobile-app-security.html|title = How Apple is improving mobile app security}}{{Cite web|url=https://blog.avira.com/ios-mobile-security/|title = How does iOS Mobile Security work and why do I need it?|date = 4 August 2014}}

In 2013, a test malware application, that was using dynamic code reassembly techniques and named "Jekyll" in reference to the Stevenson novella,{{cite web |last=Cox |first=John |url=https://www.infoworld.com/article/2195259/jekyll-test-attack-sneaks-through-apple-app-store-wreaks-havoc-on-ios.html |title={{-'}}Jekyll' test attack sneaks through Apple App Store, wreaks havoc on iOS |work=InfoWorld |date=19 August 2013 |access-date=2025-04-03}} was approved and released on the App Store. Apple claimed that unspecified changes were made to iOS in response to the attack.{{cite web |last=Dredge |first=Stuart |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/aug/19/ios-malware-apple-iphone-ipad-jekyll |title=iOS malware can sneak through Apple's approval process, researchers show |work=The Guardian |date=19 August 2013}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.technologyreview.com/news/518096/remotely-assembled-malware-blows-past-apples-screening-process/ |title=Remotely Assembled Malware Blows Past Apple's Screening Process | MIT Technology Review |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-date=2014-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102195834/http://www.technologyreview.com/news/518096/remotely-assembled-malware-blows-past-apples-screening-process/ |url-status=dead }}

In September 2015, infected programs were published for public download on the App Store. The malicious code had been embedded into Chinese legitimate software through a modified version of Xcode (see XcodeGhost).{{Cite web|url=http://researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/2015/09/novel-malware-xcodeghost-modifies-xcode-infects-apple-ios-apps-and-hits-app-store/|title = Novel Malware XcodeGhost Modifies Xcode, Infects Apple iOS Apps and Hits App Store|date = 17 September 2015}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/09/21/xcodeghost_apple_ios_store_malware_zapped/|title = Apple cleans up iOS App Store after first big malware attack|website = The Register}} Some of the bigger applications that had the code were Angry Birds 2, CamCard, TinyDeal.com, among others.{{cite web|title = Security firm publishes list of some of the iOS apps infected by XcodeGhost – including Angry Birds 2|url = https://9to5mac.com/2015/09/21/xcodeghost-infected-apps/|website = 9to5Mac|access-date = 2015-09-21|first = Ben|last = Lovejoy|date = 21 September 2015}}{{cite web|title = 85 legitimate iPhone apps that were infected with malware in the big App Store hack|url = https://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/85-legitimate-iphone-apps-were-infected-malware-big-131850805.html|website = www.yahoo.com| date=21 September 2015 |access-date = 2015-09-21}} Apple confirmed the attack and stated to be working with the developers to make sure they were using the proper version of Xcode to rebuild the apps.{{cite news |title=UPDATE 3-Apple cleaning up iOS App Store after first major attack |website=Reuters |date=21 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522225203/https://www.reuters.com/article/apple-china-malware-idUSL1N11Q0LT20150921 |archive-date=2023-05-22 |url-status=live |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/apple-china-malware-idUSL1N11Q0LT20150921}}

In October 2015, Apple also confirmed having removed applications from the App Store due to the privacy concerns. They commented that applications could be used to compromise SSL/TLS security solutions.{{Cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT205347|title = How to delete an app that has a configuration profile on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch| date=15 February 2020 }}{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Alexander J |url=https://www.theregister.com/2015/10/09/apple_borks_adblocking_app_over_privacy_concerns/ |title=Apple borks Apple News ad-blocking app due to 'privacy concerns' |website=The Register |date=2015-10-09}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Apple Inc.}}

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