Apple Requiring All New Apps and App Updates to be Built With iOS 12 SDK by March 2019 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Requiring All New Apps and App Updates to be Built With iOS 12 SDK by March 2019

by

appstorelogocleanApple today asked developers to begin submitting apps that take advantage of new features in iOS 12, watchOS 5, tvOS 12, and macOS Mojave ahead of the upcoming launch of the new software updates.

You can now submit apps that take advantage of the powerful new capabilities in the next release of iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Build your apps using Xcode 10 GM seed, test with the latest releases of iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12, and submit them for review.

According to Apple, all new apps and app updates for iPhone, including universal apps, will be need to be built with the iOS 12 SDK and will need to include support for the iPhone XS Max starting in March 2019.

All new apps and app updates for Apple Watch will need to be built with the watchOS 5 SDK and will need to support Apple Watch Series 4 by the same date.

Apple plans to release iOS 12, watchOS 5, tvOS 12, and new software for the HomePod on Monday, September 17. Apple will release macOS Mojave a week later on Monday, September 24.

Top Rated Comments

ajgraves Avatar
106 months ago
There are still apps that are not updated for the original X... how about they start enforcing there?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
az431 Avatar
106 months ago
Can the iOS 12 SDK target iOS 10 or iOS 11, or does this mean that anyone not running iOS 12 is not going to be able to get app updates?
That's not what it means. The developer decides which OS versions to target when compiling the app. We generally don't target more than two iOS versions older than the current iOS version (iOS 10), but some developers are going back as far as iOS 8.

If the developer stops supporting an iOS version you will not receive any further app updates.
[doublepost=1536858824][/doublepost]
I said updates to the apps that already exist, meaning I thought when developers submitted an update it HAD to include support for the X. To me, support means scaling to fit the entire screen, etc. not just using the iOS 11/12 sdk, right? Like if they have to build the apps using the new SDK wouldn’t (or I guess shouldn’t) developers have to scale their apps accordingly?? This sounds like the iPhone 4 retina issue and iPhone 6+ scaling issue all over again *screams internally*



Ahhh okay. So this is to just to ensure support for something like say Shortcuts app? Just to make sure it works with iOS 12 not necessarily the UI? I thought they’d be basically intertwined as you need to use the iOS 12 SDK which kinda means you need to scale and make sure your app(s) support the larger screens (X, XS and Max)?
Building the app with the iOS 12 SDK means compiling the code to upload to Apple, nothing more. There is no requirement that a developer scale their apps or adapt their UI for newer devices, though if there was a major issue it would be flagged on app review.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HiVolt Avatar
106 months ago
There are still apps that are not updated for the original X... how about they start enforcing there?
There are still apps that scale the resolution from the 4" phones (5/5s) to the iPhone 6/7/8's, and the apps are regularly updated.

It's a major pisser for me for a few apps that I use regularly that still haven't upgraded to even the 6/7/8 resolutions, much less the X.

I wonder if that will finally force them to make the apps scale properly on all larger phones.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
106 months ago
I hope this doesn't mean that another batch of older apps is set to become obsolete if they're not updated. I've already lost enough of them.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Scottsoapbox Avatar
106 months ago
OMG. I understand the big push to 64 bit, but Apple refusing to support their own code base for even a whole year is just bizarre.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
106 months ago
Not surprising. Keep up and keep building on the current platform.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone Duo Slack

Apple Announces iPhone Duo Apps Can Now Be Submitted to App Store

Monday October 5, 2026 7:15 pm PDT by
Apple today announced that apps optimized for the iPhone Duo can now be submitted for App Store approval, ahead of the foldable device launching on Friday, October 23. While existing App Store apps will automatically run on the iPhone Duo, only apps built with the iOS 27.1 SDK or later can dynamically resize to fill the entire space of the inner display, whereas unoptimized apps will have...
Liquid Glass App Store Feature

New App Store Rules Target AI Deepfakes and Nudify Apps

Friday October 16, 2026 3:21 pm PDT by
Apple today expanded its App Store moderation rules to cover AI-generated nonconsensual intimate imagery. Sexually explicit content was already banned, but now Apple says app developers must proactively prevent and remove AI-generated deepfakes from their platforms. Apple warns that apps with offending content could be removed from the App Store if developers fail to act. The updated 1.2...
iOS App Store General Feature Clorange

Apple's App Store Chief Explains Its Push for Premium Games

Tuesday October 20, 2026 8:58 pm PDT by
More premium games are launching on the App Store this year than last, Apple's App Store Worldwide head Carson Oliver told Polygon, including more franchises coming from PC and consoles. Oliver said: We've seen incredible growth of games coming to the App Store, in general, with more premium games releasing on the App Store this year than last. While many of those are indies, we're also...
Latest Stories
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
9 minutes ago
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
35 minutes ago
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
58 minutes ago
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
1 hour ago
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
6 hours ago
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
8 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
8 hours ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
9 hours ago
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
10 hours ago
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
11 hours ago
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
12 hours ago
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
12 hours ago
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
12 hours ago
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
12 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
14 hours ago
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
15 hours ago
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
15 hours ago
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
16 hours ago
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
16 hours ago
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
17 hours ago
Loop Capital Cuts Apple Rating Over iPhone Sales Outlook
Loop Capital Cuts Apple Rating Over iPhone Sales Outlook
21 hours ago
Apple Stores in Bordeaux and Lille Looted During French Protests
Apple Stores in Bordeaux and Lille Looted During French Protests
21 hours ago
Bluesound Adds Native Apple Music Support
Bluesound Adds Native Apple Music Support
22 hours ago
Apple CEO John Ternus Explains What Makes Good Product Design
Apple CEO John Ternus Explains What Makes Good Product Design
23 hours ago
UK Proposes New Ways to Help Apple Pay Rivals
UK Proposes New Ways to Help Apple Pay Rivals
1 day ago
WhatsApp Developing In-App Browser for All Chat Links on iPhone
WhatsApp Developing In-App Browser for All Chat Links on iPhone
1 day ago
Apple's App Store Chief Explains Its Push for Premium Games
Apple's App Store Chief Explains Its Push for Premium Games
1 day ago
Apple Could Owe Even More After $5.7 Billion Patent Verdict
Apple Could Owe Even More After $5.7 Billion Patent Verdict
1 day ago
Skyrim Comes to Apple Silicon Macs With New Unofficial Installer
Skyrim Comes to Apple Silicon Macs With New Unofficial Installer
1 day ago
Apple Highlights Mac and iPad Use in Paris Design Exhibition
Apple Highlights Mac and iPad Use in Paris Design Exhibition
1 day ago