Apple blocks updates for vibe-coding apps
Apple has blocked updates for apps like Replit and Vibecode. The reason: the applications violate rules regarding the execution of downloaded code.
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Apple apparently has no objections to vibe-coding for the iPhone. However, allowing web apps to be developed this way, bypassing the App Store, apparently goes too far for the iPhone manufacturer: two providers of vibe-coding apps have now felt this, as their planned updates were rejected by Apple's App Store control. The company itself refers to violations of the rules and points out a possible solution.
Apple itself recently made a big push towards vibe-coding. With the introduction of agentic AI in Apple's development environment Xcode, it has become easier than ever since version 26.3 to have entire apps developed without knowledge of programming languages. Nevertheless, development there follows its classic path, as Apple has demanded since the beginning of the App Store: development takes place on the Mac. The developer can optionally install the finished app locally for testing, distribute it to larger tester groups via TestFlight, or submit it to App Review for examination to publish it in the App Store.
Customized apps in the browser
The two vibe-coding apps Replit and Vibecode take a different approach. They are less about creating apps that others use. Instead, the providers advertise that users can have custom web apps created without programming knowledge. So if there is no suitable app in the App Store that meets their wishes, users can simply have their own created via vibe-coding. However, depending on the scope of functions, this also creates the possibility of having alternatives to purchase or subscription apps created. And then not only their developers will go away empty-handed, but also Apple as the store operator, who receives a commission per sale.
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According to Apple, however, the reason for blocking the updates is entirely different, reports the Apple blog 9to5Mac. The guardian of the App Store is actually concerned that apps are prohibited from downloading or executing code that changes their functionality. This is actually a regulation intended to prevent fake apps that appear in the App Store disguised as harmless apps but then actually download content that violates the rules. Apple is now applying the relevant paragraphs of the Developer Program's terms of use to vibe-coding apps as well. Specifically, Apple refers to App Store Guideline 2.5.2 and Section 3.3.1(B) of the Developer Program License. The Information had previously reported this.
However, Apple is not unyielding. In three phone calls over two months, they showed the affected developers possible solutions. One is said to be to display app previews in the browser instead of generating them within the app. However, providers of vibe-coding apps are likely to see this as an unnecessary hassle for their users, as they would then constantly have to switch between two different apps – the browser and the vibe-coding app.
(mki)
