- Apple’s app review team has rejected a PC emulator because Windows computers technically do not meet the retro game console criteria.
- Beyond banning it from its own marketplace, Apple has also refused to notarize the PC emulator for third-party app store compatibility.
- This raises concerns over Apple’s control and how iOS app developers can’t necessarily resort to third-party app stores to circumvent the company’s unforgiving guidelines.
After two months of evaluation, Apple’s app review team rejected UTM SE, a PC emulator designed for the latest iPhones. The company tweeted about the incident (via 9to5Mac), highlighting that the tech overlord won’t even notarize the emulator for third-party app store distribution.
According to UTM, Apple rejected its submission due to Windows/DOS computers not fitting the retro game console criteria. Furthermore, Apple doesn’t allow just-in-time (JIT) compilers on iOS, which are crucial for UTM’s app to run smoothly on iPhones.
As a result, UTM will stop trying to get its PC emulator on the official and third-party app stores until Apple changes its stance. Those wishing to run the open-source app on their iPhones can continue to do so by compiling it manually in Xcode.
Apple’s app notarization process for third-party marketplaces is supposed to offer “basic protections” against viruses, malware, and other threats to the device’s integrity. Refusing to notarize a harmless, open-source PC emulator for third-party app store distribution reveals Apple’s concerning level of control over iOS. Doesn’t this defeat the entire purpose of third-party app marketplaces?
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