iOS 13 SDK deadline confusion for existing released apps

9
votes

I'm confused by Apple's latest email regarding their requirements for apps to use iOS SDK 13.

So first there was this message March 4th:

Submit Your iPhone Apps to the App Store

Starting April 30, 2020, all iPhone apps submitted to the App Store must be built with the iOS 13 SDK or later.

Then they send out this message on March 26th:

Deadline for App Updates has Been Extended

To accommodate developers who may need additional time to update their existing apps on the App Store, the deadline for adhering to the requirements below has been extended to June 30, 2020.

  • Apps for iPhone or iPad must be built with the iOS 13 SDK or later and use an Xcode storyboard to provide the app’s launch screen.

I have an app that I have no need to update right now (it was built with iOS 12 SDK).

So what does that last message mean? Do I need to re-build and re-submit just to meet this requirement in order to keep my app on the App Store? Or do they only mean this is required for new app updates submitted?

2
iosapp-store
I read this as a new requirement. For many years now, apple has been evaluating apps already in the store and removing them when they don't meet requirements. The removal will not happen instantly, usually you get about a month's notice that the app doesn't meet requirements, and you can argue for an extension in the resolution center if you need to. (May not help tho.) – livingtech
Also worth noting that they will almost certainly not remove all the non-compliant apps at once, even though they could probably do so if they chose to. I'm sure they have procedures (which we do not have visibility into) for how they do this. – livingtech
A side for anyone like me, this popped up randomly in November 2020. I am all updated, just had to restart XCode and it worked. – C. Skjerdal

2 Answers

12
votes

Do I need to re-build and re-submit just to meet this requirement in order to keep my app on the App Store?

No. If you have no pressing need to release an app update, no action is needed on your part. The message applies only to developers who are either working on releasing a new app or an update to an existing app on the App Store.

Or do they only mean this is required for new app updates submitted?

Yes.

The message simply means that any developer looking to either release a new app or an update to an existing app on the App Store will have to build it using iOS 13 SDK starting April 30, 2020. The last message mean that the said deadline has been extended to June 30, 2020.

You can still release a new app or an update using iOS 12 SDK till June 29, 2020. (In your case, as your last release is built using iOS 12 SDK.)

Again, no action is needed on your part if there's no change in your app. Also, you can still release an app update, till June 29, 2020, using iOS 12 SDK.

Even starting June 30, 2020, no action would be required from your part. But past that point, any update that you wish to submit would be required to be built using iOS 13 SDK (Xcode 11).

0
votes

The company also notes that Apple Watch apps which will need to be developed with the watchOS 6 SDK will also see an extension from their original deadline. The company details that all applications will meet the following requirements as of June 30th 2020:

iPhone apps will support all iPhone devices and support all iPad apps on all iPad devices.

Apps for Apple Watch must be constructed with or later on the watchOS 6 SDK.

Apps that authenticate or set up user accounts must support Sign in with Apple when required by App Store Review Guidelines guidelines 4.8.

Apps must comply entirely with guideline 1.3 and guideline 5.1.4 in the category Children.

For more information visit : id=03262020b[https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=03262020b][1]