Apple removed over 540,000 abandoned apps from the App Store in Q3

Posted:
in General Discussion
As the ongoing purge of abandoned apps in the App Store continues, the number of remaining apps has hit a seven-year low.

App Store
App Store


Recent data from Finbold shows that the number of apps present in the App Store is 1,642,759, a decrease of 24.79% since calendar quarter two of 2022. The last time the number of apps was this low was in calendar quarter three of 2015 at 1,672,271.

In total, Apple removed over 540,000 apps during the third quarter.

The app removal keeps Apple in second place for total apps in a store, during the third quarter. Google's Play Store leads with 3,553,050, while Amazon trails in third place at 483,328 apps.

However, the drop in numbers is part of Apple's plan and shouldn't be taken as a sign that the App Store is failing.

Back in April 2022, Apple issued a notice to developers saying that it would start pulling apps from the App Store that haven't been updated for a "significant amount of time."

Apple removed 439,000 apps during quarter two of 2022, again due to a lack of updates for years. Among Apple's delisted apps, 64% had yet to receive a software update for at least two years or more.

Finbold believes there is a correlation between the drop in apps and the App Store's lower revenue during the recent quarter. Although Apple doesn't break out numbers for its Services business, analysts attributed lower App Store revenue to games instead of app removal.

Analyst Erik Woodring from investment firm Morgan Stanley reported that Apple customers might be spending less on soft goods like software due to inflation and other economic concerns. Gaming revenue was said to have fallen by 14%, and the overall decline of 5% was the largest since Morgan Stanley began tracking the data in 2015.

Apps removed from the App Store won't affect apps already downloaded to user devices, with features such as in-app purchases set to continue working. The requirement to update only applies to the App Store listing itself.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    darkvaderdarkvader Posts: 1,146member
    Yet another reason Apple needs to be forced to open up the iPhone to user-installed apps.

    Not everything needs to be 'updated'.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  This is actively user hostile behavior from Apple.
    williamlondon
  • Reply 2 of 9
    darkvader said:
    Yet another reason Apple needs to be forced to open up the iPhone to user-installed apps.

    Not everything needs to be 'updated'.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  This is actively user hostile behavior from Apple.
    Yeah, like on android where unupdated apps fail to launch, then they blame the phone maker. You don’t like how Apple does things go to another manufacturer 
    ramanpfaffwilliamlondonlowededwookieFileMakerFellerwatto_cobramacgui
  • Reply 3 of 9
    Apps removed from the App Store won't affect apps already downloaded to user devices, with features such as in-app purchases set to continue working. The requirement to update only applies to the App Store listing itself. 

    Read on AppleInsider
    They’re still usable while you have them, but when you replace your phone or need to restore it, they won’t be available for download.  And it’s been years since we could store them in iTunes. 
    FileMakerFellerdarkvaderwatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 9
    sflocalsflocal Posts: 6,136member
    darkvader said:
    Yet another reason Apple needs to be forced to open up the iPhone to user-installed apps.

    Not everything needs to be 'updated'.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  This is actively user hostile behavior from Apple.
    You still here?  Still hoping to get people to believe your nonsense as fact?
    roundaboutnowwilliamlondonracerhomie3lolliverchadbagbestkeptsecretstrongywatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 9
    There are 3rd party apps that can make a local copy to your Mac, which can the be installed on the new iPhone.
    But it could cause problems and/or not run on the new device. ymmv.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 9
    danoxdanox Posts: 3,429member
    Apple keep purging/curating good practice for the EU only no AppStore devices.
    edited November 2022 watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 9
    chadbagchadbag Posts: 2,029member
    bonobob said:
    Apps removed from the App Store won't affect apps already downloaded to user devices, with features such as in-app purchases set to continue working. The requirement to update only applies to the App Store listing itself. 

    Read on AppleInsider
    They’re still usable while you have them, but when you replace your phone or need to restore it, they won’t be available for download.  And it’s been years since we could store them in iTunes. 
    if they’re that old they probably don’t run anyway on your new phone.  All my older games and apps are “This app needs to be updated by the developer to run on this phone” or whatever that message is, apps.  
    strongywatto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 9
    darkvader said:
    Yet another reason Apple needs to be forced to open up the iPhone to user-installed apps.

    Not everything needs to be 'updated'.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  This is actively user hostile behavior from Apple.
    Wow! What an antiquated ideology that is! 
    @Darkvader - welcome to the 21st century. You can’t stick with GrandMa’s old sayings these days. 

    Ever heard of Zero Day Exploits, Security Patches, Hotfixes, software updates ?

    In this century, it is Updated or you are Outdated. Pick one. 
    strongywatto_cobra
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