Apple's hostile App Store rating system • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple's hostile App Store rating system

#121

Post by shaewest » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 5:03 AM UTC

lapcat wrote: post #116

tensor wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The only thing I agree with you about is that I'd have preferred Apple to not have approved your app because of the nag. I don't care if it's a screen or just a constant message. It's a nag.

So... you want Apple to remove practically every app from the App Store? Or how exactly do you think my app is unique in the this way?

Are you against Apple removing apps with dark patterns from the App Store because 'Everyone does it'?

Adding requirements for apps to remain on the App Store is fully reasonable, and keens the ecosystem usable for users.

Re: Apple's hostile App Store rating system

#122

Post by lapcat » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 9:26 AM UTC

shaewest wrote: post #121

lapcat wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So... you want Apple to remove practically every app from the App Store? Or how exactly do you think my app is unique in the this way?

Are you against Apple removing apps with dark patterns from the App Store because 'Everyone does it'? Adding requirements for apps to remain on the App Store is fully reasonable, and keens the ecosystem usable for users.

> Are you against Apple removing apps with dark patterns from the App Store because 'Everyone does it'?

Are you in favor of Apple removing everyone from the App Store?

> Adding requirements for apps to remain on the App Store is fully reasonable, and keens the ecosystem usable for users.

Apple created a developer API to request ratings and reviews. Apple 100% approves of and encourages the practice. Indeed, Apple's own apps in the App Store request ratings and reviews.

Re: Apple's hostile App Store rating system

#123

Post by ceejayoz » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 1:59 PM UTC

kalleboo wrote: post #119

ceejayoz wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are ways to non-annoyingly ask for a review. Wait until the user has meaningfully used the app. Don't interrupt the user mid-flow (a banner on the dashboard, a call-to-action on a piece of existing copy) with a modal. Provide a clear "never ask me" option.

By App Store rules (5.6.1), you're not allowed to ask for reviews through any method other than the Apple modal dialog. This means you can't make it non-obtrusive or customize to add a "never ask me" option.

I tend to doubt they'll reject a subtle "Love our app? We'd love to hear your feedback." that invokes the Apple dialog.

I've seen quite a few apps taking such an approach successfully.

Re: Apple's hostile App Store rating system

#124

Post by kalleboo » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 11:23 PM UTC

ceejayoz wrote: post #123

kalleboo wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

By App Store rules (5.6.1), you're not allowed to ask for reviews through any method other than the Apple modal dialog. This means you can't make it non-obtrusive or customize to add a "never ask me" option.

I tend to doubt they'll reject a subtle "Love our app? We'd love to hear your feedback." that invokes the Apple dialog. I've seen quite a few apps taking such an approach successfully.

They did for us. After having it there for a the better part of a decade. The luck of the draw with unreasonable reviewers.

Re: Apple's hostile App Store rating system

#125

Post by Studui81Labs » Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 7:38 PM UTC

[flagged]

Re: Apple's hostile App Store rating system

#126

Post by righthand » Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 10:36 PM UTC

sleepybrett wrote: post #31

Handy-Man wrote: post #5

It's Apple, being hostile towards developers is their whole thing.

As someone who has done quite a bit of development for the various apple platforms since ~system 7... what the hell are you talking about? Compared to windows the documentation is better and clearer, the apis are generally clearer and the sdks are better put together. That said I hardly interact with the app store, but when I have it's been.. fine. Beats the hell out of the microsoft ecosystem.

Pay me $100/year and I’ll explain to you what the GP is talking about.

Re: Apple's hostile App Store rating system

#127

Post by scottyah » Wed, Aug 05, 2026, 1:37 AM UTC

Grombobulous wrote: post #43

scottyah wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The exact opposite, really. You live or die by app store ratings. Too many ratings are bogus (don't accurately describe the app's functionality, just some random feeling the user has in the moment). Either the App Store should take on more burden to ensure ratings are accurate (perhaps criteria? disincentivize false ratings?), or eliminate/downplay the system. There are already commenters proudly declaring they abuse…

Or maybe you don’t live or die by ratings. The #140th most popular free app, StudentVUE, has an abysmal 2.1 star rating. The app for my soundbar has a 1.8 star rating. The app that my favorite karaoke bar uses to sign up has a 2.3 star rating. Whether you live or die by App Store ratings depends on your chosen business model.

Oh yes let me just change my business model from being a solo dev to a thousand employee+ business in a completely different industry that just happens to have a companion app with almost no bearing on the company's success. Why ever did I not think of that?

Re: Apple's hostile App Store rating system

#128

Post by shaewest » Fri, Aug 07, 2026, 2:25 AM UTC

lapcat wrote: post #122

shaewest wrote: post #121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you against Apple removing apps with dark patterns from the App Store because 'Everyone does it'? Adding requirements for apps to remain on the App Store is fully reasonable, and keens the ecosystem usable for users.

> Are you against Apple removing apps with dark patterns from the App Store because 'Everyone does it'? Are you in favor of Apple removing everyone from the App Store? > Adding requirements for apps to remain on the App Store is fully reasonable, and keens the ecosystem usable for users. Apple created a developer API to request ratings and reviews. Apple 100% approves of and encourages the practice. Indeed, Apple's o…

> Are you in favor of Apple removing everyone from the App Store?

You make the assumption that it's not in everyone's best economic interest to follow the rules. People will change before they are all removed.

> Apple created a developer API to request ratings and reviews. Apple 100% approves of and encourages the practice. Indeed, Apple's own apps in the App Store request ratings and reviews.

And they added various limitations to this API to prevent bad actors, which clearly is being worked around by enough apps that it makes sense to enforce this more.