Apple App Store rejects PC emulators for iPhone and iPad
Apple recently opened its App Store to retro game emulators, but it seems PC emulation remains off-limits. Two apps, iDOS 3 (a DOS emulator) and UTM SE (capable of emulating Windows), were rejected this month for violating App Store guidelines.
In both instances, Apple said the new releases violate guideline 4.7 of the App Review Guidelines, which is the one that allows for retro game emulators.
Chaoji Li, the developer of iDOS 3, shared some of Apple’s reasoning for the rejection with The Verge. “The app provides emulator functionality but is not emulating a retro game console specifically,” according to Apple’s notice. “Only emulators of retro game consoles are appropriate per guideline 4.7.”
UTM posted about its rejection on X.
https://x.com/UTMapp/status/1800168874840895921
Apple likely opened the door to retro game emulators in April in response to antitrust scrutiny, while it launched support for third-party app stores in the EU in March so it can comply with the Digital Markets Act.
MacDailyNews Take: As we wrote in December 2022:
Those who want safety, security, and privacy will stick to Apple’s App Store, but a single point of control is always a danger, especially when it comes to capricious censorship (see: pre-Musk Twitter, Apple’s App Store in China, etc.).
iPhone and iPad users must, like Mac users, have the ability to install third-party apps; even if they never do, for it will keep Apple honest. The ability to ban an app loses all power when it’s simply available in another App Store.
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