PSA: Apple is Updating Old Apps With Latest Signing Certificate Ahead of iOS 14.5

Users may notice that a number of very old apps are receiving new App Store updates. Instead of fixing bugs or adding new features, the updates are occurring because Apple is updating developers' apps that use a legacy ‌App Store‌ code signing certificate with the latest version so that they can launch correctly in the upcoming releases of iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5.

app store blue banner
Developers of affected apps do not need to re-sign their apps themselves, since Apple will issue the update and new signing certificate itself. Apple is issuing the updates with the What's New text "This app has been updated by Apple to use the latest Apple signing certificate."

Apple alerted developers of affected apps about the required update and its purpose, and the updates have now started rolling out to users.

The change only affects apps that have not been updated at all for several years, and therefore have an outdated code signing certificate. Apple conducted a similar wave of signing certificate updates in July last year.

The updated signing certificates will allow apps to launch as expected in iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, which are due to be released very soon.

Related Forum: iOS 14

Top Rated Comments

Drogba11 Avatar
39 months ago

I wonder if Apple is going to update ALL of them that need updating, or is installing 14.5 going to lead to some nasty surprises?
Forbes writers rubbing their hands
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
39 months ago
I wonder if Apple is going to update Facebook lol
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B4U Avatar
39 months ago
I was honestly surprised to see the red notification dot on the App Store of my iOS 6 device the other day!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alexandr Avatar
39 months ago
yea, i'm seeing some apps pop up in the update field that i haven't seen in a while))
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
39 months ago
With 3.4 million apps currently in the App Store - they've got a bit of work to do
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NMBob Avatar
39 months ago
I wonder if Apple is going to update ALL of them that need updating, or is installing 14.5 going to lead to some nasty surprises?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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