Update: Apple has corrected the error and Apollo for Reddit should soon return to the App Store.
The world of app push notifications took an unexpected turn when Apollo for Reddit, a popular social media aggregator, was removed from the App Store. The removal came just days after the app's developer, Christian Selig, released a feature-rich update that included a new 'Apollo Ultra' subscription package offering real-time notifications, app theming, and more.
The issue began when Apple's App Store Review team informed Selig that his app violated App Store Guidelines by offering push notifications as an in-app subscription upgrade. The team explained that providing access to built-in Push Notification capabilities through an auto-renewable subscription product is not appropriate for the App Store. This decision was made despite Selig working closely with Apple to ensure the update did not violate the guidelines.
Prior to the removal, Selig had been assured by Apple representatives that bundling real-time push notification support with other features would meet the guidelines' requirements. In fact, two weeks ago, a representative from Apple called Selig to discuss the upcoming 1.3 update and suggested bundling push notifications with non-system capabilities as part of a feature pack.
The situation has left many wondering about the consistency and clarity of the App Store Review process when it comes to app push notifications. As Selig continues to keep users updated on the future of Apollo for Reddit, the uncertainty surrounding these important features remains.
In the meantime, users can stay tuned to 9to5Mac for more Apple news and updates on this developing story.