Apple has relaxed its App Store guidelines to allow PC emulator apps to offer game downloads explicitly. This change comes after Apple recently approved the PC emulator app UTM SE, which had previously been rejected.
The updated Guideline 4.7 now clearly states that PC emulator apps can include the option to download games, mirroring the existing rules for console emulator apps. This move is expected to help streamline the approval process for similar apps in the future.
Beyond the App Store, Apple has also updated its notarization guidelines for apps distributed outside the App Store in the European Union. This ensures that apps seeking notarization from Apple adhere to similar standards regarding emulators, mini-apps, and data privacy.
“The 4.7 guideline allows for mini-apps, mini-games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins, and game emulators. 4.7.2 prevents apps from extending or exposing native platform APIs to the software without Apple’s permission, and 4.7.3 says that apps may not share data or privacy permissions to any individual software offered within an app without user consent. Before these updates, these guidelines were not part of the EU notarization review process.”
– MacRumors
In other App Store-related news, multiple pirate streaming apps have once again bypassed Apple’s strict App Store review process. These apps, disguised as innocent card-collecting games, offer a vast catalog of pirated content from platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.
Overall, this development is a win for users who can now get to play classic PC games on their iOS devices, but as of now, it raises questions about copyright and licensing issues related to game downloads. It remains to be seen how Apple will address these challenges moving forward.