As app developers, it's crucial to stay up-to-date with the latest requirements for swift app development. In this article, we'll dive into the upcoming changes and updates that you need to know to ensure your apps continue to thrive on the App Store.
SDK Minimum Requirements
Starting April 28, 2026, all apps uploaded to App Store Connect must be built with Xcode 26 or later using an SDK for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, or watchOS 26. This means that you'll need to ensure your development workflow is up-to-date to meet these new requirements.
Age Rating Updates
Since January 31, 2026, ratings for all apps and games on the App Store have been automatically updated to align with our new age rating system. To avoid any interruptions when submitting app updates in App Store Connect, provide responses to the updated age rating questions for each of your apps by January 31, 2026.
APNs Updates
Since February 24, 2026, the Apple Push Notification service (APNs) will be updated with a new server certificate in production. Update your application's Trust Store to include the new server certificate: SHA-2 Root : USERTrust RSA Certification Authority certificate. Additionally, since January 20, 2026, APNs will also be updated with a new server certificate in sandbox.
Trader Status Requirements
Since October 16, 2024, trader status is required to submit app updates for apps distributed on the App Store in the European Union (EU), in order to comply with the Digital Services Act. This applies to all developers who distribute their apps through the App Store in the EU.
Game Center Management
As of July 15, 2024, Game Center management will no longer be supported by the XML feed. Instead, you can manage this content via the App Store Connect REST API, which makes it easy to customize and automate your workflows.
In-App Purchase Support
Since November 9, 2022, support for in-app purchases, subscriptions, metadata, and app pricing has ended. You can continue to manage this content via the App Store Connect REST API.
Notarization Updates
As of November 1, 2023, if you notarize Mac software with the Apple notary service using the altool command-line utility or Xcode 13 or earlier, you'll need to transition to the notarytool command-utility or upgrade to Xcode 14 or later. This change applies to all developers who distribute their apps through the App Store.
Game Center Entitlements
As of August 16, 2023, new apps and app updates for iOS, iPadOS, or tvOS offering Game Center features need to include the Game Center entitlement in the entitlements plist and have Game Center features configured in App Store Connect before you can submit them to the App Store.
SHA-256 Intermediate Certificate
As of August 16, 2023, receipts in new apps and app updates submitted to the App Store, as well as all apps in sandbox, will be signed with the SHA-256 intermediate certificate. If your app verifies App Store transactions using the AppTransaction and Transaction APIs, or the verifyReceipt web service endpoint, no action is required.
tvOS SDK Requirements
As of July 31, 2023, all tvOS apps submitted to the App Store must be built with Xcode 14.1 and tvOS 16.1 SDK or later.
Pricing Updates
As of May 9, 2023, pricing for existing apps and one-time in-app purchases will be updated with enhanced global prices across App Store storefronts using your current price in the United States as the basis—unless you've made relevant updates after March 8, 2023. This update has been deferred to later this year for the App Store in Türkye.
Subscription Reports
As of March 1, 2023, subscription reports version 1.2 will no longer be available. If you automatically download subscription reports using the App Store Connect API or Reporter, please update your query parameter to version 1.3 if you haven't already.
By staying up-to-date with these requirements, you'll be able to ensure that your apps continue to thrive on the App Store and provide a seamless experience for your users.