News On App Stores, January 2022

App Store 

Apple to increase App Store prices in some regions

Apps will become more expensive in Bahrain, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. The VAT is upped from 5 to 10% in Bahrain, Ukraine gets a 20% VAT while users in Zimbabwe will have to pay 5% more because of the new digital service tax.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

iOS developers can now promote custom product pages in App Store search results

iOS 15 introduced “Custom product pages,” which let developers create alternative versions of the App Store product page to showcase different features or content within your app. With today’s update, developers can do the same with Apple Search Ads. According to Apple, each app can have up to 35 additional App Store product page versions – and these versions can now be converted into ad variations for iOS App Store search results.

Full content and details (external sources): 9to5Mac

New App Store Connect API capabilities now available

The App Store Connect API now offers greater flexibility to automate and customize workflows for your app. With these new capabilities, you can create and submit in-app events, custom product pages, and product page optimization tests. This release also includes support for the updated App Store submission experience, which lets you submit multiple items, submit without a new app version, and retrieve submission statuses.

Full content and details (external sources): Apple Developer

Analytics now available for in-app events

App Analytics in App Store Connect helps you see how people discover and engage with your apps. You can now view information about your in-app events, including event page views, reminder and notification data, and the number of downloads and redownloads that were driven by your in-app events.

Full content and details (external sources): Apple Developer

Custom offer codes for subscriptions now available

In addition to one-time-use codes, developers can now create custom codes in App Store Connect — each with a unique name (such as SPRINGPROMO). Each code can be redeemed through a direct URL or within your app.

Full content and details (external sources): Apple Developer

Google Play Store 

Google makes new Play Store ‘Offers’ tab official, rolling out this year

The Play Store’s Offers tab is meant to “help you discover deals in games and apps across travel, shopping, media & entertainment, fitness, and more.” There are various sections, including the personalized “Offers for apps you might like.”

Full content and details (external sources): 9to5Google

Huawei App Gallery

Huawei AppGallery 12.0.1.200 beta version released

According to the latest changelog, Huawei AppGallery 12.0.1.200 beta update includes the fixes of some known issues and improves the app functionality. After the successful rollout of the beta version and receiving valid feedback, the company will release the next stable update soon.

You can download the latest version below:

• AppGallery 12.0.1.200 beta (January 19, 2022)

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) exceeds 432 billion downloads on AppGallery

The HMS app ecosystem has over 730 million monthly active users and 5.4 million registered developers. In 2021, Huawei launched various new updates for AppGallery, Petal Search, Petal Maps, Huawei Music, and more for a better user experience.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

Samsung Tizen app store

Samsung shuts down the Tizen app store

Starting this year, Samsung's Tizen app store is no longer accessible, both to new and existing users. Last year in June, the company closed registrations and made the store available only to existing users and they could only get previously downloaded apps. After December 31, 2021, however, the Tizen app store is permanently closed.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena