Apple has pulled a third-party app that helped users locate lost AirPods.
“Finder for AirPods” first landed on the App Store last week and used a Bluetooth signal to track down missing earpieces. But just days later, it’s gone, with Apple telling its creator that it is “not appropriate for the App Store.”
AirPods have been incredibly well-received by early adopters, but many have a fear of losing them. Without wires, they’re easily lost inside a bag or between the cushions of a couch, and Apple charges $69 for one replacement earbud.
Finder for AirPods wanted to help users dodge that fee by making AirPods a little easier to locate. It used the Bluetooth signal strength of the missing earbud to establish approximately how far away it is. It wasn’t the most accurate system, but it was better than nothing.
However, after approving Finder for AirPods and allowing it to be published to the App Store, Apple suddenly decided it should be pulled. The company didn’t provide the app’s developers with a reason for its removal, other than it’s “not appropriate.”
It’s thought the ban could have something to do with the fact that the app could be a little unreliable. According to MacRumors, its “signal can be unstable when the user is on one floor and the hidden AirPod is on another.”
What’s more, the app was useless if the missing AirPod was out of Bluetooth range. So, if you dropped the earbud in your car or left it in your desk at work, Finder for AirPods couldn’t help you. Some users might have been disappointed after paying $3.99 for the app.
If you purchased Finder for AirPods, you can request a refund through iTunes. Simply click “View My Account…” in the “Account” menu, choose “See All” under “Purchase History,” then locate the Finder for AirPods app and click the “Report a Problem” link.
Now that the app has been pulled, there won’t be any future updates unless Apple changes its mind and allows it to return.
