As the world grapples with COVID-19, Apple on Thursday informed developers that its app update requirements for iOS 13 have been extended from April 30 to June 30.
Announced in a post to Apple's developer website, the extension applies to a number of requirements designed to bring parity across apps marketed in the App Store.
The deadline to adhere to the following requirements has been extended to June 30:
- Apps for iPhone or iPad must be built with the iOS 13 SDK or later and use an Xcode storyboard to provide the app's launch screen.
- iPhone apps must support all iPhone screens and all iPad apps must support all iPad screens.
- Apps for Apple Watch must be built with the watchOS 6 SDK or later.
- Apps that authenticate or set up user accounts must support Sign in with Apple if required by guideline 4.8 of the App Store Review Guidelines.
- Apps in the Kids category must be in full compliance with guideline 1.3 and guideline 5.1.4. of the App Store Review Guidelines.
- Apps using HTML 5 must be in full compliance with guideline 4.7 sections 4, 5, and 6 of the App Store Review Guidelines.
Apple failed to explain the deadline extension, saying only that developers "who may need additional time" to update their existing apps on the App Store are being granted extra time to do so.