offloaded apps no longer in app store HELLOOOO APPLE!

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Level 1

15 points

offloaded apps no longer in app store HELLOOOO APPLE!

I enabled the space saving offload app function. At NO TIME was I ever warned that an app i used that has data (images video or WHATEVER-iTalk audio memos that are now in limbo) or is purely functional ( in my case an app that controls a trail cam) would not be recoverable if Apple decided to pull the app from the store. This seems to me to put the responsibility for helping me find a way to recover that data or app function in the hands of Apple. I have looked over and over for a solution here and the answer seems to be "There isn't one". C'mon Apple. WTF? I would not have enabled this "feature" if I knew its was going to chuck my data into a bin I can no longer access. Its there. Taking up space on my phone and in my backups but thats kind of useless isn't it? HELP HELP HELP. I am NOT the only one and this is crap. AND now im reporting this i notice your preselected topics to categorize this do not include the ios in general. anyone who can direct this to apple somehow i would appreciate it. im going to try and ask in support now. others have before but not for a while.

iPhone 11, iOS 14

Posted on Dec 24, 2022 9:33 AM

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Answer 1

Kurtosis12

Level 9

76,432 points

Dec 24, 2022 10:02 AM in response to SeeDahl

There are over a million apps available for iPhones. It is not up to Apple to keep track of them all and report which ones are no longer available.

Apple doesnt pull apps from the App Store unless they violate the terms of service.

It is more likely the app developer no longer wanted to support it so they discontinued the app and they pulled it from the App Store.

Try contacting the app developer and see if they have a solution.

How to contact an app developer - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Dec 24, 2022 9:56 AM in response to SeeDahl

You have posted to a user-to-user site. We are all users here.....just like you. We have the same access to Apple that other users do.

You can direct your feedback directly to Apple by using the link below:

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

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Answer 3

Dec 24, 2022 12:56 PM in response to SeeDahl

Abandoned apps are a problem, yes.

Particularly when they’re tied to critical data, passwords, or (here) hardware.

Log your feedback with Apple.

Log some doc feedback in the offload article, too.

With the abandoned app associated with hardware, check with existing users. Whether there is a published API or an alternative app? I have some hardware that is very much app-centric, but does have an alternate interface should the app vanish.

Not a particularly new mess, either. Had some expensive hardware that was in use and very firmly tied to Windows 95 and still in use well after that was long retired, too. It sorta-kinda also worked on early NT, mostly. But 95 it wanted. In one other case, the attached hardware is building-sized, worth well over a million USD, and tied to very obsolete computer gear.

Log your feedback with Apple.

Scrounge an iPhone 6, or an iPhone 6s or iPhone 7, depending on the details here, and see if that still has access to the old giblets. That gear is tied to iOS 12, or to iOS 15, respectively.

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Answer 4

SeeDahl Author

Level 1

15 points

Dec 24, 2022 12:40 PM in response to MrHoffman

yep. i did find an app that lets me inspect my backups and extract files so part of my problem has been solved but i had another app that controlled a trail camera that seems to have no replacement (suggestions welcome) and that is now the most annoying loss. mostly I'm mad at Apple for not warning me that using their space saving offloading feature might leave me with abandoned app syndrome. it just promotes the use of this "feature" i wouldn't have used with the warning. thanks

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Answer 5

SeeDahl Author

Level 1

15 points

Dec 24, 2022 11:43 AM in response to Kurtosis12

Disagree. If Apple has a "feature" to automatically offload apps from your phone it has at the least, the responsibility to warn you you might lose your data on a certain app because it may stop having that app in the app store. It doesn't do that. Apple knows which apps are available or not. It operates the delivery method for those apps. It knows when an app becomes unavailable. If it is not going to warn users that their (APPLES) ios "feature" (its not a third party doing this) might result in you losing data that may be important to you, they should be putting that up front when they offer users this "feature" or at least when an app is no longer available (which they know) there should be a mechanism to restore that app for the ones that have been automatically offloaded.

I will contact the developer and see if there's anything to do. I got that link from the support chat people but thanks, I'll be checking it out

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Answer 6

Dec 24, 2022 12:23 PM in response to SeeDahl

SeeDahl wrote:

I know its a user site. i was hoping one of the users had something helpful to contribute based on past experience with the same problem…

The added effort involved with an under-purchased iPhone, and dependencies on abandoned apps, tends to not end well, yes.

Abandoned password apps and abandoned hidden-photo apps are particularly a problem for the folks using those apps, based on postings around here. Favorite games that disappear are “just” annoying.

Not sure what could be done with an abandoned app either, as it’s probably not entirely clear to Apple whether the app is gone temporarily per the developer, or gone permanently.

Again, here is how to log your Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 7

SeeDahl Author

Level 1

15 points

Dec 24, 2022 11:51 AM in response to Bob Timmons

I know its a user site. i was hoping one of the users had something helpful to contribute based on past experience with the same problem. I know from looking for a solution that I am not the only one this has happened to so i thought the helpful users may make themselves known. We shall see.... I was also venting a bit so it looks more directed at Apple, but it is a cry for help :)

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Answer 8

Dec 24, 2022 11:52 AM in response to SeeDahl

SeeDahl wrote:

I know its a user site.

Which is why you put "HELLOOOO APPLE!” in your subject.

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Answer 9

SeeDahl Author

Level 1

15 points

Dec 24, 2022 12:09 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

as i mentioned i was venting a bit but thanks for your helpful contribution.

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offloaded apps no longer in app store HELLOOOO APPLE!

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