App store on cleansing mode

Dormant apps in the App Store have to exit unless they are updated within a 30-day period

Apple has turned the purgatory on. Every dormant app in the App Store shall be shown the door unless the developers make changes in a 30-day time frame starting Wednesday. Failing to do would mean an expulsion for ever from the store populated with over two million apps. The review starts Wednesday, the day when the announcement of a new iPhone is expected along with the release of the second-generation Apple watch and iOS 10.

“Apps in all categories on the App Store will be evaluated to make sure they function as expected, follow current review guidelines, and are not outdated,” Apple explains in a series of ‘What to Expect’ Q&A on its developer website.

Existing users of the inactive apps can continue availing the service but fresh users won’t be able to purchase it from the App Store if the 30-day updating deadline is not met by the developer. Apps that immediately crash on launch won’t get a second chance, the company warns.

Other than the select and delete process, Apple wants to bring in more discipline into the nomenclature of apps. No new app joining the Store shall exceed its name beyond 50 characters so as to yield better search results.