Apple様から以下のようなメールが届く。
Thank you for contacting Developer Support. We checked your app and found that new information has been provided regarding the compliance of your app with the App Store Review Guidelines.
We have included that information here for your convenience.
App Store Improvement Notice
In 2016, we implemented an ongoing process of evaluating and removing apps that no longer function as intended, don’t follow current review guidelines, or are outdated. This helps us improve discoverability of apps on the App Store, while ensuring that apps work for the majority of users and support our latest innovations in security and privacy.
Per App Review Guideline 4, you must “update your app to ensure it remains functional and engaging to new and existing customers. Apps that stop working or offer a degraded experience may be removed from the App Store at any time.” For more information on this and other requirements, see the App Review Guidelines.
Since this app hasn’t been updated within the last three years and doesn’t meet a minimum download threshold, it’s scheduled to be removed from the App Store in 90 days. We ask that you submit an app update as soon as possible.
The app will remain available if an app update is submitted and approved within 90 days. If the app is removed from the App Store:
– The app will still function for people who have already downloaded it. They can still make in-app purchases and redownload the app by restoring from an iCloud or iTunes backup.
– TestFlight versions of the app will be unavailable for external and internal testing.
– You can use the latest version of Xcode to build and submit an update at any time, restoring your app to the App Store upon approval.
要約すると、
- 過去3年間に更新がなく、ダウンロード数が少ないアプリは、90日以内に更新されない場合、App Storeから削除されます。
- アプリが削除されても、既存ユーザーは引き続き利用可能で、購入や再ダウンロードも可能です。
- Xcodeで更新を提出すれば、再承認後にアプリがApp Storeに復元されます。
ということなのですが、このメールに気づいたのは90日をとっくに過ぎた後なのでした・・・
業務上必要なアプリだったので、何らか更新したらいっか・・・と思い、ほんのわずかなレイアウトの修正を行いました。
問題はここから
さて、一応内部テストを、ということでTestFlightへ配信してみたものの「アプリは利用できません」と表示されるばかりで一向にダウンロードができない状態に。ググってみると、どうやら一度削除されたアプリはTestFlightからダウンロードすることができなくなるとのこと。
再審査を行い受理されれば復活するということなので、一度も社内テストができないままとりあえず審査へ提出。
Appleとのやり取り
Guideline 2.2 – Performance – Beta Testing
Your app appears to be a pre-release, test, or trial version with a limited feature set. Apps that are created for test or trial purposes are not appropriate for the App Store.
Next Steps
To resolve this issue, please complete, remove, or fully configure any partially implemented features. If your app is not ready for public distribution, use TestFlight to test your app.
。。。。知ってるよ！！！！！！！（Appleはアプリのテストをしたかどうかを把握している？）
という気持ちを抑えつつ、「アプリが一度削除されたからか、TestFlightからダウンロードできなくなってしまったのです。」とReviewerに泣きつくと、あっさりと返事が来る。
Hello,
Thank you for your response.
For information regarding TestFlight, you may want to refer to App Store Connect Developer Help.
Should you require additional assistance, you can use the contact us page to request help with setting up or distributing your app through App Store Connect.
ということで今度はApple Developer Program Supportへ問い合わせてみる。
すると、最初のお知らせとほぼ同じような内容が返ってくる。
We have included that information here for your convenience.
App Store Improvement Notice
In 2016, we implemented an ongoing process of evaluating and removing apps that no longer function as intended, don’t follow current review guidelines, or are outdated. This helps us improve discoverability of apps on the App Store, while ensuring that apps work for the majority of users and support our latest innovations in security and privacy.
Per App Review Guideline 4, you must “update your app to ensure it remains functional and engaging to new and existing customers. Apps that stop working or offer a degraded experience may be removed from the App Store at any time.” For more information on this and other requirements, see the App Review Guidelines.
Since this app hasn’t been updated within the last three years and doesn’t meet a minimum download threshold, it’s scheduled to be removed from the App Store in 90 days. We ask that you submit an app update as soon as possible.
The app will remain available if an app update is submitted and approved within 90 days. If the app is removed from the App Store:
– The app will still function for people who have already downloaded it. They can still make in-app purchases and redownload the app by restoring from an iCloud or iTunes backup.
– TestFlight versions of the app will be unavailable for external and internal testing.
– You can use the latest version of Xcode to build and submit an update at any time, restoring your app to the App Store upon approval.
そこで、「アプリを更新したいが、テストのためのTestFlightが使用できない。Developer Supportによれば再審査を行い受理されれば復活するというが、テストもしていないアプリは受理できないとあなた達（Reviewer）から指摘を受けている。Developer Supportと、Reviewerで言っていることが矛盾していませんか？」と強めに返事をしたところ、数時間後には、
とメールあり。
これで無事TestFlightからもダウンロードすることができ、更新版をリリースして再度ストアにアプリが表示されるようになりました。
めでたしめでたし。（メールに気づいていなかった自分が120%悪い）