App Store

By MacRumors Staff
Jump to How Tos Articles

The App Store is Apple's digital software distribution platform for iOS devices. First introduced in 2008, the App Store allows software developers to distribute content that has been created specifically for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Apps are also available on the Apple Watch through the iOS App Store.

There are well over a million apps in the App Store, and customers have downloaded more than 100 billion apps since the App Store debuted. App Store apps are available with three pricing options: free (and usually supported by ads), free with in-app purchases, or a set cost starting at $0.99 in the US.

In 2010, Apple introduced the Mac App Store for distributing content on Macs, and in 2015, Apple introduced the tvOS App Store, an app store for to the fourth-generation Apple TV.

App Store How Tos

How to Download Large Apps Over Cellular on iPhone and iPad

Monday February 3, 2020 11:56 am PST by
Apple used to limit the size of App Store downloads over cellular to 150MBs to prevent iPhone users from accidentally downloading a large app over 3G or 4G networks and using up all their data allowance or running up data charges. In May 2019, Apple upped the limit of over-the-air downloads to 200MB, but offered no way to opt out of the limit at the time, leaving users with unlimited data...
Read Full Article

How to Add Funds to Your Apple ID on iPhone and iPad

Monday November 11, 2019 9:38 am PST by
It used to be the case that adding funds to your Apple ID required redeeming an iTunes Gift Card bought from a store, but Apple now lets you use a debit or credit card right on your iPhone or iPad to do the same thing. Adding funds to your Apple ID allows you to make purchases from the iTunes Store, iBooks Store, and App Store on any of your Apple devices. It's easy to add funds to your...
Read Full Article

How to Update Apps in iOS 13

Monday September 16, 2019 5:13 pm PDT by
If you recently updated your iPhone to iOS 13 or your iPad to iPadOS 13 and you can't work out how to manually update your installed apps, then you've come to the right place. Apple has changed the way you update apps in iOS. In earlier versions of its mobile operating system, app updates lived in their own tab in the App Store app, but that has since had to make way for a new Apple Arcade...
Read Full Article

How to Cancel App Store Subscriptions

Wednesday April 4, 2018 1:50 am PDT by
Several TV and music services and other apps offer free trials through the App Store that automatically renew to become paid subscriptions after the trial period ends. If you want to prevent an App Store subscription from running beyond the trial period or cancel a subscription you're currently paying for, then read on. This article explains how to cancel any App Store subscription on iOS,...
Read Full Article (8 comments)

App Store Articles

app store trader requirement dsa

Apps That Didn't Add 'Trader' Contact Info in the EU Removed From App Store

Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:47 am PST by
Apps that have not complied with the trader requirement in the European Union have been removed from the App Store, Apple informed developers today. The apps that have been removed will not be allowed back in the ‌App Store‌ until trader status is provided and verified by Apple. Disclosing trader status is a requirement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) in the EU. Developers who distribute...
Read Full Article 0 comments
tiktok logo

TikTok Returns to Apple's App Store

Thursday February 13, 2025 4:31 pm PST by
TikTok is once again available for download from the App Store, which means it can be installed on iPhones and will be able to receive updates. Apple's decision to start distributing TikTok again comes after a letter sent from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, according to Bloomberg, but the letter has not been shared. Apple removed TikTok from the U.S. ‌App Store‌ on January 18, just ahead...
Read Full Article 81 comments
final fantasy crystal chronicles

Final Fantasy iOS Game Shuts Down Due to Curious In-App Purchase Bug

Thursday February 13, 2025 1:39 pm PST by
Square Enix today announced that iOS game Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is shutting down immediately, due to some kind of in-app purchase bug. Apparently customers have been unable to access content purchased in the iOS app for the last several weeks, which Square Enix says is "due to changes made to the in-app purchases model." Apple hasn't made any known changes to in-app purchases in...
Read Full Article 38 comments
iOS App Store General Feature Desaturated

Malware With Screen Reading Code Found in iOS Apps for the First Time

Wednesday February 5, 2025 12:47 pm PST by
Malware that includes code for reading the contents of screenshots has been found in suspicious App Store apps for the first time, according to a report from Kaspersky. Dubbed "SparkCat," the malware includes OCR capabilities for sussing out sensitive information that an iPhone user has taken a screenshot of. The apps that Kaspersky discovered are aimed at locating recovery phrases for...
Read Full Article 74 comments
App Store Blue Banner Chinese Flag Feature

Apple Faces Potential App Store Antitrust Probe in China

Wednesday February 5, 2025 2:32 am PST by
Apple could be facing a potential Chinese antitrust investigation into its App Store policies and developer fees, reports Bloomberg. China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is said to have been critically examining Apple's practices and holding discussions with the company since last year, specifically about its 30% commission on in-app purchases and restrictions on...
Read Full Article 53 comments
iOS App Store General Feature Black

Apple Announces New In-App Purchase API

Friday January 24, 2025 4:37 am PST by
Apple yesterday announced a new API to expand in-app purchase capabilities on the App Store, providing developers with new ways to support large content catalogs, creator-driven experiences, and customizable subscription models. The new "Advanced Commerce API" addresses three broad use cases: Apps offering extensive libraries of one-time purchase content, such as audiobooks or...
Read Full Article 29 comments
2024 App Store Awards

Apple Reveals Most Downloaded Apps and Games of 2024

Monday December 16, 2024 6:30 am PST by
Apple today shared the most downloaded iPhone and iPad apps and games of the year, localized for more than 30 countries and regions around the world. The annual charts include the top free and paid apps and games, as well as the top Apple Arcade games, for the ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ in the United States: Top Free iPhone Apps Temu: Shop Like a Billionaire Threads TikTok ChatGPT ...
Read Full Article 38 comments
2024 App Store Awards

Apple Reveals iPhone App of the Year and More 2024 App Store Awards

Wednesday December 11, 2024 6:00 am PST by
Apple today revealed its 2024 App Store Award winners, including pro video camera app Kino, which was named iPhone App of the Year. There were 45 finalists across 12 categories, and 17 winners were ultimately selected. Apple said the awards recognize developers who delivered the "highest levels of user experience, design, and innovation" on the App Store this year. "We are thrilled to...
Read Full Article 13 comments
app store awards 2022

Apple Wins Last-Gasp Reprieve From Brazil App Store Changes

Friday December 6, 2024 3:06 am PST by
A Brazilian federal court has overturned an antitrust ruling that would have required Apple to allow third-party payment systems in the App Store within 20 days. The initial ruling, issued on November 26, came in response to a 2022 complaint from Latin American e-commerce platform MercadoLibre. The regulator had ordered Apple to remove restrictions on alternative payment systems and allow...
Read Full Article 13 comments
app store blue banner uk fixed

Apple Fails to Block $995M UK App Store Commission Lawsuit

Tuesday December 3, 2024 4:57 am PST by
A UK class action lawsuit against Apple over App Store commission fees will proceed after judges dismissed the company's attempt to block the case, Bloomberg reports. Led by competition policy professor Sean Ennis, the suit alleges Apple's 15-30% commission on App Store sales creates an anti-competitive tax on the UK technology industry. The lawsuit seeks £785 million ($995 million) in...
Read Full Article 63 comments
2024 App Store Awards Finalists

Apple Announces 2024 App Store Awards Finalists, Including Kino

Monday November 25, 2024 6:00 am PST by
Apple today revealed its 2024 App Store Awards finalists, including pro video camera app Kino, which is in the running for iPhone App of the Year. There are 45 finalists across 12 categories, including a first-ever Apple Vision Pro category. Apple said the awards recognize developers who delivered the "highest levels of user experience, design, and innovation" on the App Store this year....
Read Full Article 10 comments
European Commisssion

Apple Under Pressure to Remove Geo-Blocking Restrictions in the EU

Tuesday November 12, 2024 6:44 am PST by
The European Union has notified Apple that it may be violating EU anti-geo-blocking regulations with practices regarding its media services, giving the company one month to respond. The European Commission, in conjunction with the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network, today announced that it has formally notified Apple regarding potential breaches of the EU's anti-geo-blocking...
Read Full Article 175 comments
App Store vs EU Feature 2

EU Plans to Fine Apple for Anticompetitive App Store Practices

Tuesday November 5, 2024 1:23 pm PST by
The European Commission plans to fine Apple for not adequately complying with Digital Markets Act (DMA) requirements for the App Store, reports Bloomberg. Regulators apparently believe that Apple did not implement changes that allowed developers to steer users to cheaper prices outside of the ‌App Store‌. Back in June, the EU said that Apple was in breach of the DMA due to its anti-steering...
Read Full Article 170 comments
iOS App Store General Feature JoeBlue

Apple Accidentally Lets Pirated Movies and TV Shows App Into App Store

Monday November 4, 2024 9:11 am PST by
Apple has accidentally allowed an iPhone and iPad app that allows you to stream pirated movies and TV shows for free into the App Store, according to a post from Kevin Aubin on Threads. The post was earlier reported by The Verge. While the so-called "Univer Note" app's description says that it "can easily help you record every day's events and plan your time," it actually lets you stream...
Read Full Article 61 comments
app store awards 2022

Apple to Start Providing Summaries of User Reviews in App Store

Wednesday October 30, 2024 5:56 am PDT by
Apple has reportedly designed a new AI-based system that will summarize reviews in the App Store to highlight the most common customer feedback for users before they download an app. According an unlisted App Store article seen by 9to5Mac, AI-generated summaries will appear on app product pages alongside existing elements like descriptions and screenshots. The summaries will be dynamically...
Read Full Article 35 comments
apple arcade orange feature

Apple Said to Be Working on New Gaming App for iOS

Tuesday October 22, 2024 2:17 pm PDT by
Apple is working on an App Store-style app designed for gaming, according to a report from 9to5Mac. It would merge App Store gaming content, Apple Arcade, and Game Center into a central location. The app is said to feature a Play Now tab with gaming content and suggestions, plus a Game Center tab for tracking game progress and games that friends are playing. Game Center features like...
Read Full Article 95 comments
hulu logo 2019

Hulu and Disney+ No Longer Support Signups and Payment Using App Store

Monday October 21, 2024 2:36 pm PDT by
Disney is no longer allowing its customers to sign up for and purchase subscriptions to Hulu or Disney+ through Apple's App Store, cutting out any subscription fees that Disney would have needed to pay to Apple for using in-app purchase. The change was noted on Reddit over the weekend, and there are details on the Disney+ and Hulu websites. Both the Disney+ and Hulu websites say that new and ...
Read Full Article 147 comments
app store trader requirement dsa

Developers Now Required to Share Phone Number and Address on EU App Store to Meet 'Trader' Requirement

Thursday October 17, 2024 12:26 pm PDT by
Apple today reminded developers that the EU trader requirement in the European Union is now being enforced. Developers who distribute apps in the EU will now need to share information that includes address, phone number, and email address on the EU App Store. Submitting updates for apps on the ‌App Store‌ in the European Union now requires trader information that's added via ‌App Store‌...
Read Full Article 302 comments
iOS App Store General Feature JoeBlue

App Store is Down for Many Users [Resolved]

Wednesday October 16, 2024 9:15 am PDT by
If the App Store is currently down for you, you are not alone. Many users have indicated that the App Store is not working for them right now across devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, preventing them from downloading apps after tapping the "Get" button. The issues are not yet reflected on Apple's system status page, but thousands of customers have indicated they are affected on the Downd...
Read Full Article 44 comments
Flappy Bird Reboot

'Flappy Bird' Making Questionable Comeback on iPhone [Updated]

Thursday September 12, 2024 8:11 am PDT by
Update — September 15: We have retracted this article. Read these articles for more details. ...
Read Full Article 58 comments
Next Page Newer Posts
Archives