Apple Revises App Store Rules for PC Emulator Applications

Apple has recently updated its App Store Guidelines for developers, specifically revising the rules for emulators to explicitly allow PC emulators to download games.

The updated Guideline 4.7 now states that PC emulator apps can offer the option to download games. Previously, this guideline mentioned that console emulator apps could include game downloads, but it did not explicitly mention PC emulators.

This change follows Apple’s approval of the PC emulator UTM SE on the App Store. UTM SE allows users to emulate older versions of Windows, macOS, and Linux to use classic software and games.

Initially, Apple rejected UTM SE in June, despite having allowed retro game emulators since April. Apple informed the app’s developers that it violated the App Store guidelines because a “PC is not a console.” However, after making some technical adjustments, the developers of UTM SE managed to gain Apple’s approval for the app.

UTM SE was the first PC emulator app permitted on the App Store, but with today’s guideline changes, the approval process for similar apps will become more straightforward.

Additionally, Apple has updated its separate guidelines for app notarization, which pertains to third-party apps distributed outside the App Store in the European Union. Now, App Store guidelines 4.7, 4.7.2, and 4.7.3 are part of the notarization process.

The 4.7 guideline covers mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins, and game emulators. Guideline 4.7.2 prohibits apps from extending or exposing native platform APIs without Apple’s permission, and 4.7.3 requires apps not to share data or privacy permissions with any individual software offered within an app without user consent. Before today’s update, these guidelines were not included in the EU notarization review process.

While apps distributed outside the App Store are not subject to all of Apple’s rules, they must adhere to certain guidelines to receive notarization from Apple. Apple introduced the notarization process for EU apps distributed outside the App Store on iPhone and iPad, and an app must have Apple approval to run on an Apple device.