GoKawiilUpdated with Apple’s statement to 9to5Mac after the story.
AI is making app development easier than ever. However, a new report claims Apple’s App Store isn’t fully embracing these new tools. Companies behind two “vibe coding” apps that let you create tools by entering text prompts into an AI system say Apple is pushing back on the category.
Stephanie Palazzolo and Aaron Tilley, reporting for The Information:
Apple has quietly prevented AI vibe coding apps such as Replit and Vibecode, which help people create games and other applications, from releasing updates to their mobile apps on the App Store unless they make modifications, according to several people with knowledge of the situation.
9to5Mac has covered Mobile Apps by Replit for iPhone recently. The app technically supports building software that can be submitted to the App Store.
The Information includes Apple’s position, which cites existing App Store rules and not a new policy:
The company confirmed it has told some app developers that the vibe coding capabilities violate longstanding App Store rules that say an app can’t run code that changes the way it or other apps function. Apple’s crackdown is happening at a time when vibe coding apps are emerging as a potential threat to the company by helping developers create web apps that aren’t listed on its App Store, a key source of revenue and profits for Apple.
The report goes on to say that vibe coding apps may need to either pull back on some features or change how vibe coded apps are previewed after being created.
The challenge with vibe coding apps and App Store policy is straightforward. Apple doesn’t allow apps to change how they function after passing through the App Store review process.
Vibe coding apps essentially allow these apps to become something completely different. Still, the new app isn’t being actually being distributed by the App Store. It’s just running on the user’s device.
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