mr88cet

Q: Apps Apple Missed

Short version:  Does Apple removing an app from the App Store, indirectly but ultimately, result in it getting removed from your iOS device? 

 

More-detailed version:

 

I presume not, but I wonder given this:

 

      http://www.electronicproducts.com/Programming/Software/256_personal_data_stealin g_iOS_apps_slip_passed_Apple_s_vetting_p…

 

Short summary: 

  • Somebody discovered several apps in the App Store that somehow circumvented Apple's no-non-standard API requirement.
  • To address the problem, they reported them to Apple, rather than publishing the list of app names.
  • Apple responded by removing them from the App Store.

So my assumption is that these apps are no longer in the App Store, but are still installed on our iOS devices, and we don't know which ones to remove.

 

Again, that is unless Apple removing them from the App Store somehow, indirectly results in them getting removed from our iOS devices.

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 8.1.2

Posted on Nov 2, 2015 3:59 AM

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Q: Apps Apple Missed

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Ingo2711,

    Ingo2711 Ingo2711 Nov 2, 2015 4:54 AM in response to mr88cet
    Level 7 (25,824 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 2, 2015 4:54 AM in response to mr88cet

    If all the apps you bought are part of the iTunes library on your computer, you can always sync the phone without them being removed somehow.

    Your apps might not work correctly anymore, or stop working, if certain features are not supported anymore by the actual or any future iOS update.

  • by mr88cet,

    mr88cet mr88cet Nov 2, 2015 5:00 AM in response to Ingo2711
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Apple Watch
    Nov 2, 2015 5:00 AM in response to Ingo2711

    So, I suppose what would, or at least could, be more interesting would be if they can be removed from our devices, preferably optionally on an individual basis.

  • by Ingo2711,

    Ingo2711 Ingo2711 Nov 2, 2015 5:09 AM in response to mr88cet
    Level 7 (25,824 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 2, 2015 5:09 AM in response to mr88cet

    Sorry, but since we are all users here, just like you, and Apple is not following these discussions, nobody here knows if and what Apple's plans are.

    If you want such a feature, or want to express your concerns, you'll have to use this link to tell Apple about it: Apple - iPhone - Feedback

  • by mr88cet,

    mr88cet mr88cet Nov 2, 2015 5:27 AM in response to Ingo2711
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Apple Watch
    Nov 2, 2015 5:27 AM in response to Ingo2711

    Right, thanks for the thoughts.

     

    Anybody else know whether Apple removing an app from the App Store does, or can be made to, result in that app being removed from our devices?

  • by Ingo2711,

    Ingo2711 Ingo2711 Nov 2, 2015 5:42 AM in response to mr88cet
    Level 7 (25,824 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 2, 2015 5:42 AM in response to mr88cet

    Apps that are not available in iTunes anymore will not be installed onto your device, if you choose to restore from an iCloud backup:

    iCloud backups

    With a Wi-Fi network connection, you can make a backup of your device using iCloud. You don’t need to plug your device into a computer or even be at home to back up with iCloud.

    iCloud backups include nearly all data and settings stored on your device. iCloud backups don't include:

    • Data that's already stored in the cloud, like contacts, calendars, notes, My Photo Stream, and iCloud Photo Library
    • Data stored in other cloud services, like Gmail and Exchange mail
    • Apple Pay information and settings
    • Touch ID settings
    • Content you didn't get directly from iTunes, App, or iBooks Stores, like imported MP3s, videos, or CDs
    • iTunes in the Cloud and App Store content (If it's still available in the iTunes, App, or iBooks Store, you can tap to re-download your already purchased content.)

    Learn how to make an iCloud backup, and how to manage iCloud storage or delete backups that you no longer need.

    copied from About backups in iCloud and iTunes - Apple Support

  • by anypats,

    anypats anypats Nov 2, 2015 5:58 AM in response to mr88cet
    Level 4 (1,791 points)
    Nov 2, 2015 5:58 AM in response to mr88cet

    Even when an app is removed from the App Store, you can continue to use it on your device. If you ever restore your device, as long as you have a backup on your computer, you can continue to use that app. This goes for all apps that Apple once approved but were subsequently removed for any reason. To this point, I have never heard of Apple forcing an app to be removed from your device. Does that mean that they can't? They probably could if they ever felt the need to do so but unless they felt there was a serious need for it, I doubt they are going to. However, with that, no one here really knows since Apple doesn't participate in these forums.

  • by mr88cet,

    mr88cet mr88cet Nov 2, 2015 6:20 AM in response to anypats
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Apple Watch
    Nov 2, 2015 6:20 AM in response to anypats

    I expect this pretty well summarizes it.  Removing the app from the App Store will not remove it from our devices, not even indirectly, other than in the extreme scenario of zapping the device and restoring it from iCloud.

     

    Also, I'll add that one might argue that removing the app from your device probably wouldn't help much anyway, since the data cited has already been collected, in many cases at least.

     

    So, unless we can get a hold of the list of apps that used this advertizing system, we'll pretty much just wait until the apps' programmers revert out that "feature," which of course they have an incentive to do, since three app has been banned.

     

    This all, to whatever degree any of us are concerned enough about this.