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Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren’t exactly a hit with users

Assassin's Creed Mirage for iPhone AAA game

Since the launch of the iPhone 15 Pro with A17 Pro, Apple’s first chip with hardware-accelerated ray-tracing, Apple has been trying to convince major game developers to bring their titles to iOS. AAA Games like Resident Evil Village and Assassin’s Creed Mirage are now available on the App Store, but a new report shows that they’re not exactly a hit with iPhone and iPad users.

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macOS Sequoia eases storage requirements for downloading Mac App Store apps

Apple App Store

As we’ve been covering this month, macOS Sequoia brings a lot of new features for Mac users, including iPhone Mirroring and a new Passwords app. But there’s also a discreet but important change coming with the update. That’s because the new version of macOS eases the free storage requirements for downloading apps from the Mac App Store.

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Developers can now create larger apps and games for iOS 18 and tvOS 18

App Store

Some users may not be familiar with this, but Apple sets size limits for iOS and tvOS apps, so that a single app can’t take up too much space. However, as apps and especially games get more advanced, they also get larger and require more storage. Because of this, Apple is increasing the size limits for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV apps.

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EU App Store changes for iPad now available to test with second iPadOS 18 beta

Apple App Store EU

Back in April, we learned that the EU would force Apple to bring the same App Store changes to iPad that previously arrived for iPhone. Those include app sideloading, alternative app payment, alternative browser engine support, and more. Now the second iPadOS 18 beta brings the ability to test those EU changes on iPad for the first time.

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EU says Apple has ‘very serious’ issues for not complying with DMA

Apple App Store EU

Apple this year announced a series of changes when it comes to the App Store in the EU, as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust legislation came into force in March. However, the European Commission doesn’t seem satisfied with the changes Apple has made. For the EU, Apple has some “very serious” issues with not being fully compliant with the new legislation.

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iPhone PC emulator block called confusing, inconsistent, and probably illegal

iPhone PC emulator block | iPhone with retro Apple wallpaper

Apple’s decision to block iPhone PC emulators has been criticized by developers, who have variously said that it is confusing, inconsistent, and probably illegal.

One even said that not even Apple’s own app reviewers appear to understand the company’s policy, because they took two months to reach a decision …

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How to manage and track all of your Apple and App Store subscriptions

track manage Apple App Store subscriptions

This story is brought to you by Copilot Money, the best money tracker for iOS and macOS that gives you full financial clarity. Try Copilot Money today to track your App Store subscriptions and use the code 9TO5MAC to get a 2-month free trial.


Curious about what services you’re subscribed to through Apple’s App Store? Or maybe you want to cancel a trial right after signing up so you don’t forget? Read along for how to track and manage your Apple and App Store subscriptions.

Apple has made it seamless to subscribe to services through your Apple ID. But the flipside is it’s easy to forget what you’re paying for, what’s on a trial, monthly, or yearly subscription.

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Japan passes law forcing Apple to allow iOS App Marketplaces in the country

Apple Japan iPhone iOS

Earlier this year, Apple announced major changes coming to iOS users in the European Union following the Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust legislation, which forced the company to allow alternative app stores – or App Marketplaces – on iOS. Now the government of Japan has passed a similar law that will also force the company to allow App Marketplaces for Japanese iOS users.

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Aptoide iOS game store launches this week; wait list of 20,000

Aptoide iOS app store | Screengrab of countdown

An Aptoide iOS game store launches in Europe on Thursday, the third, uh, third-party app store to be announced after Setapp and AltStore.

All three companies are taking advantage of the changes Apple was forced to make in the EU by the Digital Markets Act, which opens up the App Store to competition for the first time …

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Apple makes it impossible for developers to test third-party web engines outside the EU

Apple Safari web apps webkit

Apple has made significant changes to the App Store guidelines in the European Union in order to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust legislation. One of these changes allows developers to release iPhone web browsers with their own engine, but the company is making it difficult for developers to test their apps before releasing them to users in the EU.

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$7B in attempted App Store fraud blocked by Apple, says the company

App Store fraud | Logo against hazard tape

Apple is continuing its PR offensive to promote the official App Store as the safest place to buy iPhone apps, after antitrust cases forced it to open up its platform to competition. It said that it has blocked more than $7B’s worth of attempted App Store fraud.

The company says that the “potentially fraudulent transactions” were detected and blocked over a four-year period from 2020 to 2023 …

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Apple looks set to lose latest court battle with Epic Games

Apple looks set to lose latest court battle | Defendant sign in courtroom

The US judge who ordered Apple to allow developers to sell apps outside of the official App Store has sharply criticized the way the iPhone maker has responded.

Epic Games went back to court to claim that Apple was not properly complying with the antitrust order, and remarks made by judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers indicate that she is in agreement …

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Security Bite: Apple updates Platform Security guide with first-ever details on App Store security, BlastDoor, more

apple platform security

Apple this week updated its Platform Security guide, which contains in-depth technical information on security features implemented in its products. First released in 2015, the latest update adds six new topics, including first-ever details on BlastDoor 0-click protection and App Store security.


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Apple is making it easier to develop your first app using Pathways

Apple’s developer site has long been a massive hub of resources for prospective app developers, but previously there was never a clear path toward getting started.

Today the company launched Pathways, a collection of videos, documentation, and other resources that will walk you step by step through the journey of developing your first app.

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Apple will protect indie developers in Europe from the bankruptcy risk of DMA changes

Apple protecting European developers from bankruptcy risk | Hands holding out pitiful number of coins

While Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust law forced Apple to allow developers to sell apps outside the company’s own App Store, there were a number of potential problems with the company’s terms and conditions – not least of which is that an unexpected viral hit could have bankrupted an indie developer.

Apple had already made a number of changes to its terms to reduce the risk, and has now added two more protections which should prevent that nightmare scenario …

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Apple was the real target of China’s App Store crackdown, Telegram founder argues

Telegram

Last week, Apple was forced by the Chinese government to pull four apps from the App Store in China: Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Threads.

Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has now responded to the situation, arguing that Apple was the real target of China’s request. There are more than a few problems with this spin, though…

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Provenance emulator coming to the App Store with support for PlayStation games

Provenance emulator coming to the App Store with support for PlayStation games

Apple surprised everyone earlier this month with a change to the App Store guidelines that now allows retro game console emulator apps for its platforms, including iOS and tvOS. Following the success of Delta, the developers behind Provenance have now confirmed that they will soon release it on the App Store, bringing PlayStation emulation to iPhone and iPad users.

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