Skip to main content

This is how many iPhone apps Apple rejected in 2020

Apple has long maintained strict control over the App Store, arguing that doing so helps prevent things like malware, fraud, and other issues that could pop up if it didn’t have that control. While the Apple-versus-Epic legal battle is raging on, Apple is touting its work in keeping the App Store safe — and says that it rejected a hefty 1 million new apps in 2020, and an additional 1 million app updates.

There are a number of reasons why an app would be rejected from the App Store. For example, an app could be found to contain spam, or be built to manipulate users into making an in-app-purchase. Apple says that it rejected 150,000 apps that fall into this category in 2020, along with an additional 48,000 apps that contained hidden or undocumented features.

Related Videos

Of course, many developers employ more advanced tactics to get nefarious apps on the App Store. Apple notes that some developers update their apps to fundamentally change how they work after they’re approved. Doing so will usually result in those developers’ accounts being terminated. According to Apple, around 95,000 apps were removed for violations around fraud, with most of those apps employing bait-and-switch maneuvers. Last but not least, Apple rejects apps that request more data than they need to function properly. Apple says that it rejected over 215,000 apps for privacy violations in 2020.

Over 1 million app submissions were kept out of the store for fraud, privacy violations, and other issues.

After an app is removed, developers can appeal the decision — but Apple says that very few developers actually do so. This is likely because the developers that build rejected apps usually know they’re in the wrong, and stop trying to get their apps approved once they’re caught.

Individual apps aside, Apple says that it terminated around 470,000 developer accounts in 2020, mostly because it was clear that these accounts were activated solely for the purpose of pushing fraudulent or problematic apps. And the company rejected 205,000 developer enrollments due to concerns around fraud.

The timing on this report is no coincidence. Apple is currently engaged in a highly publicized and polarizing legal battle with Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. At the heart of the battle is Apple’s control over in-app-purchases. Apple requires developers to use Apple’s payment processing system, which leads to Apple taking a 15 to 30% fee — and Epic claims those actions are monopolistic. The other side of that, however, is that Apple says it’s able to prevent fraud around credit card payments, and invest in tech that keeps users safe. It also maintains that the fact that it built the App Store in the first place gives it a right to charge a fee.

Editors' Recommendations

The iPhone 14’s most annoying feature might be worse on the iPhone 15
Transferring an eSIM from an old iPhone to an iPhone 14.

While there's a lot to love about the iPhone 14, its lack of a SIM card tray in the U.S. variant was controversial, to say the least. Unfortunately, it looks like the iPhone 15 will be following its predecessor's lead and ditching the SIM card tray as well — this time for models across the globe, not just in the U.S.

According to a report by French publication iGeneration, the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro are likely to be released "without a physical SIM card in France." Although France is just one country, if iPhones are losing their SIM card slots in Europe as well as the U.S., then it seems likely that they'll be disappearing entirely for the upcoming generation.

Read more
9 Apple products we’re expecting in 2023: iPhone 15, M2 Mac Pro, and more
An iPhone 14 sitting on a wood desk.

Apple is one of the most secretive companies in the world of big tech. Rumors of future products seem to develop years ahead of their time, and while we can all speculate as much as we want, we don’t really know what new products Apple has coming until they're announced. For existing products, though, it’s a little easier since most of those tend to be on an annual upgrade cycle, with a few exceptions.

But the rumor mill for new products, like Apple’s mixed reality headset, has been reaching peak levels of hype recently, which leads us to believe its release is imminent. We could also have the first iPhone with USB-C charging, eliminating the need for proprietary Lightning cables, and even a 15-inch MacBook Air.

Read more
Surprise Apple sale brings big discounts on iPad and Apple Watch
Data from a workout showing on the screen of the Apple Watch Series 8.

There are plenty of great discounts on Apple devices over at Amazon right now. That means substantial price cuts on the latest Apple Watch range as well as plenty of iPads too. If you're keen to learn more, we're here to help. We've picked out some of our favorite Apple deals going on right now. Check them out below to see how you can save big on highly sought-after devices.
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) -- $220, was $249

The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is a marvel at this price. Easily one of the best smartwatch deals, it covers everything you could need. You gain comprehensive yet easy-to-use fitness tracking thanks to Apple's Activity Rings system and steady stream of challenges and rewards. It's fast too thanks to having the latest processor. Despite that, you still get to enjoy a two-day battery life with the watch easily comfortable to wear all day long. It lacks the ECG and blood oxygen sensors of the Series 8 along with the always-on display, but that won't be an issue for everyone. The key thing is you get an excellent smartwatch at a great price.

Read more