Apple eased up on longstanding App Store limitations on how iOS apps can deliver experiences to iPhone and iPad users, including streaming games and mini-programs, the company indicated Thursday. Developers like gaming companies can now submit a single app with the ability to stream all games in a catalog, rather than one app per game.
Accompanying these options will be new analytics reports for developers starting in March, plus new sign-in options they can include with apps.
Apple: ‘New options worldwide for streaming game services and apps that provide access to mini apps and games’
In addition to the ability to offer new options for game streaming and mini-apps through the App Store, developers will also be able to have apps provide “enhanced discovery opportunities for streaming games, mini-apps, mini-games, chatbots and plug-ins that are found within their apps,” Apple said, adding that its changes “reflect feedback from Apple’s developer community.”
The company added that mini-apps, mini-games, chatbots and plug-ins will — for the first time — be able to use Apple’s In-App Purchase system to offer users paid digital content or services, and it gave the example of a subscription for one chatbot.
Unlike the many other changes Apple unveiled Thursday, which apply in the European Union, these changes apply worldwide.
However, new experiences in app will stilll need to stick to Apple rules: “Each experience made available in an app on the App Store will be required to adhere to all App Store Review Guidelines and its host app will need to maintain an age rating of the highest age-rated content included in the app,” the company said.
New app analytics
In addition to existing developer dashboards with App Analytics, Sales and Trends, and Payments and Financial Reports, Apple rolled out new analytics to provide business and performance insight to developers and help ensure user privacy, the comany said.
Here’s how Apple described more than 50 new reports available through the App Store Connect API:
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Engagement — with additional information on the number of users on the App Store interacting with a developer’s app or sharing it with others;
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Commerce — with additional information on downloads, sales and proceeds, pre-orders, and transactions made with the App Store’s secure In-App Purchase system;
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App usage — with additional information on crashes, active devices, installs, app deletions, and more.
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Frameworks usage — with additional information on an app’s interaction with OS functionality such as PhotoPicker, Widgets, and CarPlay.
Apple said the API will let devs grant third-party access to reports, and the company will provide more information on report details and access in March.
New app sign-in options
And here’s how Apple described new app sign-in options:
Apple is updating its App Store Review Guideline for using Sign in with Apple. Sign in with Apple makes it easy for users to sign in to apps and websites using their Apple ID and was built from the ground up with privacy and security in mind. Starting today, developers that offer third-party or social login services within their app will have the option to offer Sign in with Apple, or they will now be able to offer an equivalent privacy-focused login service instead.
Source: Apple Developer
