Apple to deny apps using UDID data, lacking iPhone 5 display support starting May 1

Apple on Thursday announced to developers that apps using UDIDs will no longer be accepted by the App Store effective May 1, adding that titles lacking support for the iPhone 5's 4-inch display will also be rejected.

The move comes after over a year of warnings from Apple regarding third-party use of Unique Device Identifiers, which are leveraged to track users for advertising purposes.

Apple's notice to developers:

Starting May 1, the App Store will no longer accept new apps or app updates that access UDIDs. Please update your apps and servers to associate users with the Vendor or Advertising identifiers introduced in iOS 6

Starting May 1, new apps and app updates submitted to the App Store must be built for iOS devices with Retina display and iPhone apps must also support the 4-inch display on iPhone 5

Because every cellular-connected mobile device has a UDID, the identifier can be used as an incredibly useful tool for advertisers looking to get the most granular data regarding ad impressions. Mounting concern over privacy issues, including location tracking on iOS 4, ultimately prompted Apple to begin deprecating use of the identifiers.

In March of 2012, Apple started to tighten access to UDIDs, reportedly initiating App Store rejections for apps using the per-device information. The move came after a 2011 warning that UDID access would be cut off with the release of iOS 5.

As for iPhone 5 screen support, Apple is ensuring a consistent experience for all iOS device users.

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28 Comments

daharder

said about 11 years ago

Good... Developers have had quite enough time to facilitate the latest aspect ratio.

gazoobee

said about 11 years ago

I hate it when developers just abandon apps for reasons like this though. I have an Oxford English dictionary app that I paid 30.00 for that they just never updated to the iPhone 5 screen size. They just stopped selling it in the store (so you can't even leave a nasty review), and now sell four or five different versions of it, (each of which is 20-50 bucks). And this is a big time developer too. I bet there are more developers that will just go "f*ck it" and abandon the app than there are those that will update it to the new stuff.

ericblr

said about 11 years ago

If the app developers want a platform that they dont ever have to update to accomodate larger screens, they need to stick with android.

Look at the state of tablet apps for android, they're practically non-existant.

nasserae

said about 11 years ago

Good. Supporting iPhone 5 display isn't that damn hard. I don't understand why many apps still not updated to that aspect ratio even though the developer is actively updating for bug fixes.

solipsismx

said about 11 years ago

[quote name="ericblr" url="/t/156594/apple-to-deny-apps-using-udid-data-lacking-iphone-5-display-support-starting-may-1#post_2298297"]If the app developers want a platform that they dont ever have to update to accomodate larger screens, they need to stick with android. Look at the state of tablet apps for android, they're practically non-existant. [/quote] A bespoke italian suit is to Apple as sweatpants and flip flops are to ___________.