News On App Stores, June 2021

App Store 

What’s new for apps on the App Store

The latest capabilities to improve the discovery of an app on the App Store:

• Showcase your in-app events right on the App Store.

• Create additional versions of your product page to showcase different features or content, each with a unique URL.

• Try different app icons, screenshots, and app previews on your default App Store product page and compare their performance to understand what users like most.

Full content and details (external sources): Apple Developer

Augmented reality updates now available

ARKit 5 introduces new features and improvements that make the AR experiences in your apps better than ever. You can now place Location Anchors in even more cities, pin virtual content within your App Clips or ARKit apps to a printed or digital App Clip Code.

Full content and details (external sources): Apple Developer

App Store Review Guideline updates now available

The App Store Review Guideline changes and clarifications support new features in upcoming OS releases, better protect customers, and help your apps go through the review process as smoothly as possible.

In addition, two updates have been made to the App Review contact form. If you appeal an app rejection, you can now specify if you believe your app was rejected due to unfair treatment (including political or other bias). And you can now report an app if you believe it presents a trust or safety concern, or is in violation of the App Store Review Guidelines.

Full content and details (external sources): Apple Developer

Google Play Store 

Google Play developers will need to enable 2-Step Verification and meet identity requirements

New Google Play developer accounts will need to enable 2-Step Verification in August, with the requirement enforced on existing ones “later this year.”

Meanwhile, Google is introducing “Developer identification requirements'' to “help us better understand your needs.” In addition to providing your e-mail address and phone number, the following information will also be required:

• Your account type — whether it’s personal or belongs to an organization
• A contact name
• Your physical address
• Verification of your e-mail address and phone number

Full content and details (external sources): 9to5Google

Google Play Store gets ‘My Apps’ redesign with ‘Overview’ section

This update is rolling out widely as of this week after expanding the week prior. You may be able to trigger it on your device by force-stopping the app, clearing its cache, or restarting your device. 

Full content and details (external sources): 9to5Google

Huawei App Gallery

HarmonyOS Apps and Games section launched on Huawei AppGallery

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiUpdate