ios_7_iconApple has published a new announcement for developers on its dev center website notifying them that all new App Store submissions must be built with the latest version of Xcode 5 and optimized for iOS 7.

Starting February 1, new apps and app updates submitted to the App Store must be built with the latest version of Xcode 5 and must be optimized for iOS 7. Learn more about preparing your apps by reviewing the iOS Human Interface Guidelines.

The new rule goes into effect on February 1, 2014 and means that any apps built on older versions of Xcode or non-iOS 7 optimized apps will be rejected from the App Store.

In addition, this also applies to app updates, providing some inspiration for developers to update their developer tools and optimize their apps for iOS 7 as the updates will be rejected otherwise. Optimizing an app for iOS 7 does not necessarily mean it needs to look different, but that the underlying construction of the app must be optimized for the new OS.

Earlier this month, Apple's App Store usage numbers indicated that iOS 7 had been installed on 74 percent of devices connected to the App Store. The new rule indicates Apple is eager to get developers to take advantage of iOS 7's high adoption rate and make their apps compatible with it to ensure higher user satisfaction.

Top Rated Comments

Bathplug Avatar
159 months ago
Developers that don't mean making your apps blinding bright white and plain.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sazivad Avatar
159 months ago
Developers that don't mean making your apps blinding bright white and plain.
Developers who realize the need for night-themed apps are the best kind of developers.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oliversl Avatar
159 months ago
This is a step backward. And part of the new "order" that Ive explained in june-2013. Now the metro copy UI is mandatory. iOS7 brings nothing new to the world of tech or design.

I will go to vomit now, take care.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
troop231 Avatar
159 months ago
Does 'Optimized for iOS 7' = no backwards compatibility with iOS 6?
Nope :)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Millah Avatar
159 months ago
In case some of you negative nancies missed this, it does not mean the apps need to LOOK like Apples iOS 7 apps. They can look however they want. They simply need to be built using the latest XCode and adopt new frameworks. You know, to ensure applications are at the very least COMPATIBLE with 7 and perform well. Kind of important when 3/4 of the install base is running 7.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
proline Avatar
159 months ago
This is a step backward. And part of the new "order" that Ive explained in june-2013. Now the metro copy UI is mandatory. iOS7 brings nothing new to the world of tech or design.

I will go to vomit now, take care.
Go right ahead. Your vomit will fertilize the earth. Nobody cares. Meanwhile, Ive's work- iOS 7 + iPhone 5S- is going to make Apple very, very, merry this Christmas.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...