Apple today released a series of updates for app developers, informing them of future requirements related to iOS 14.5, the newest version of iOS 14 to be released next week.
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Starting Monday, April 26, all iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch apps sent to the App Store must be built on the Xcode 12 and OSiOS 14 SDK or later, which means new apps will no longer be able to use older SDK options.
With the release of iOS 14.5, Apple requires all developers to abide by its transparency rules for app tracking, which will require them to obtain express permission to track users in apps with the iPhone’s ad ID.
Apple says apps should start using the AppTrackingTransparency framework on Monday, April 26, 2021.
With the upcoming public release of iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, and tvOS 14.5, all apps must use the AppTrackingTransparency framework to request user permission to track them or access the device’s ad ID. If you do not receive permission from the user to enable tracking, the value of the device ad identifier will be all zeros and you may not track them.
When submitting the app for review, any other form of tracking – for example, by name or email address – must be reported in the “App Store” Privacy section of the product page and must only be performed if permission is granted through AppTrackingTransparency. You will also need to include a number of goals in the system prompt to explain why you want to track the user, as per the ppApp Store 5.1.2 (i) Review Guide. These requirements apply to all applications from 26 April 2021.
The April 26, 2021 deadline suggests that iOS 14.5 will be released either on that date or the next day. Apple today launched the candidate for the release of iOS 14.5 in preparation for launch, so the update is almost ready to start.
Apple today also released candidate versions iPadOS 14.5, macOS Big Sur 11.3, tvOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4, which we expect to see early next week.