Can we use same icon image for more than one ios (ipad/iphone) applications?
Is there any such rule that each application should have a different icon?
Thanks.
I've just had this rejection:
Guideline 4.3 - Design - Spam
We noticed that your app uses the same app icon as other apps you’ve
submitted, which makes it difficult for users to find apps and is
considered a form of spam.
So in 2017, it looks like the answer is no.
There is no such rule, as far as I know. Indeed there are apps in the App Store that have the same icon, and others with very minor variations (e.g., the color tone).
Apart from requirements about the size (of the different icon versions you have to submit) that are relevant for approval, the only thing that you should take into account (but this is not relevant for approval) is that your app icon is attractive, reflect some how the app functionality, and allows your app to be easily recognized.
If your unique icon design satisfies this principle for you, then it is fine.
Related
I have a simple iPhone app, mostly table views, map views and other standard stuff. When I change the project settings to make it universal, everything works fine after a few small tweaks. So the iPad version looks just as a big iPhone app.
Definitely, the app will look better if I use some split views, pop-ups and generally rework the UI to look better on the iPad. But I wonder - will Apple review team accept a universal app that is basically just an enlarged version of the iPhone app?
As long as you explain what's changed when you do an update submission (e.g. "now with an iPad-friendly User Interface!"), Apple should accept your update no problem.
What are you afraid of? That Apple would give you a reason for rejection? Just do it, and if you get feedback make the necessary changes. Even if Apple is control freak #1 and a humbling power monster megacorp, I'd be much more worried about it being published and USERS not approving it. :)
iPad users can download and run your iPhone app just the way it is and get the same results either way. From any non-marketing point of view, what would be the advantage to calling it 'Universal' with no changes?
Btw, I've submitted the app without any changes, and it was accepted without any problems.
I can read that changing the app icon programmatically at runtime is not possible, at least since iOS 3.0.
But... I regulary can see on "App" websites apps that can put icons on the springboard. The first I remember is that kind of app that you give a friend's picture from your album, and it creates an icon so you can call him just clicking on that icon:
http://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/speedtouch-the-best-home-screen/id378360978?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/desktop-shortcut/id421701004?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/appbutler-app-organizer/id327391626?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/tap4music/id365578914?mt=8
So I guess, is it still impossible to change the app icon programmatically at runtime?
Update
Apple have changed this, you can do this now: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/uiapplication/2806818-setalternateiconname
Original Answer
What you're thinking of here are WebClips, which are basically shortcuts to websites on the home screen. An actual application cannot change it's icon at runtime, as it's defined in the static Info.plist file.
The only exception to this rule is Newsstand applications.
This is now possible in iOS 10.3 using the UIApplication.setAlternateIconName(_:completionHandler:) API.
See my answer to this question: https://stackoverflow.com/a/44966454/233602
Changing your actual icon (other than, e.g, badging) would require changing the app bundle. I'm pretty sure that you don't have write access to the bundle, and in any event this should change the code signature, causing the OS to prevent launching.
So, no. Apps can put links to web sites, but not change their own app.
I was just wondering and was hoping if anyone here has experience about it.
If one would make a native iphone app (for example with 5 bottom icons) and each icon would load a webpage, would this be accepted by apple?
No one can surely say about the apple will reject or accept this kind of app, because what the apple want is that your app have some utility which one can't get by opening a web page in safari. If your app has some purpose of opening the five different web pages in five different tabs then they will not reject it.
If your app doesn't interest users and have no utility, then probably it will be rejected.
If you think that only these five buttons app which open url is good enough or have some utility, than go ahead and give it a shot.
You will probably be rejected under the third item in the AppStore Submission Guidelines;
If your App looks like it was cobbled together in a few days, or you're trying to get your first practice App into the store to impress your friends, please brace yourself for rejection. We have lots of serious developers who don't want their quality Apps to be surrounded by amateur hour.
Or in 2. Functionality
2.12 Apps that are not very useful, are simply web sites bundled as apps, or do not provide any lasting entertainment value may be rejected
I would like to know if the app icon on the iPhone can be slightly different than the one shown in a large version in Apple's App Store.
It was discussed in short here: Tips for a successful AppStore submission?
But I wanted to make sure if anyone has more experience with that.
To give an example: The New York Times has many words incorporated in its app icon (see http://itunes.apple.com/de/app/nytimes/id284862083?mt=8). Would it be okay to have a full black colored background without the words in the small/homescreen version of the icon?
I had one application (RefFinder) rejected just because the two didn't match. But they were quite different; I guess it's OK if they're only slightly different.
yes i have submit couple of application with different app icon and big application icon on App store.
Here is one example: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-business-credit-blueprint/id360499998?mt=8
They can be different, but they have to accomplish the same design. I mean, they have to be recognized as the same applications (same colors, fonts.. same feeling)
You could achieve this using the new UIApplication.setAlternateIconName(_:completionHandler:) API in iOS 10.3 to change the app icon at runtime.
Note you need to ship the updated app icon as part of the app bundle however.
I'm asking all those who have apps in the Apple iPhone App Store. Do you have an "About..." window/page/view in your app, or do you rely on iTunes for providing the developer info to the customer? If the former, where's the button/link to that? Real estate is so precious on the iPhone screen, I cannot think of some space I can waste for an "About..." button without it sticking like a sore thumb.
You can always add your "about" info into the system settings for your app so that it's there but not directly in the app. I have an app with no about page, but it's because the target users are children so there's no point. For other apps, I might add a page into the app -- it all depends on the use case.
You could use the little (i) icon thats found in the corner of a lot of apps, the native weather app comes to mind. It uses minimal space, too.
I plan on adding about sections to most apps I create.