Apple has refused to introduce retro computer game emulators iDOS 3 and UTM SE for iPhone into its official application store, alleging that they violate some of the sections on which its Application Review Guidelines are based, such as not being from a console .
With the entry into force of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple must allow the publication of game emulators on the App Store. It is a ‘software’ that has the ability to simulate the functionalities of a ‘hardware’ or other program and that allows, for example, to bring the functions of a console to a ‘smartphone’.
Recently, the technology company has rejected the incorporation of the UTM SE and iDOS 3 emulators into the App Store, a refusal that would be justified by the application of the new application review guidelines with which the official application store operates.
The creators of these emulators have explained how Apple has rejected their proposals after two months of review, indicating that they do not comply with what is contemplated in its new regulations on permitted applications.
Firstly, iDOS 3 developer Chaoji Li has suggested that he had to change the emulator’s original name – iDOS 2 – to iDOS 3 because the former “seems to be blacklisted” from the App Store.
After rejecting this new emulator for being the same as its predecessor, claiming that there was “design spam”, Apple has rejected iDOS 3 because “it is not a retro game console”, so it is not covered by its new policies. Specifically, in section 4.7, the rules applicable to mini-applications, mini-games, streaming games, chatbots, add-ons and emulators are mentioned.
Li, who has shared the notice he received from Apple with The Verge, has also indicated that the brand considers that iDOS 3 “provides emulator functionality, but does not work specifically as a retro game console”, which is why it would have refused to introduce it to the App Store.
Given the refusal, the developer asked what he should do to comply with what his application policy requires, but the technology company did not offer details about the changes to be made.
The UTM SE emulator will also not be part of the services offered by the App Store for iOS, as its creators reported a few days ago through their official X account (formerly Twitter).
The company first argued that the proposal was dismissed because rule 4.7 of its application review guidelines could not be applied to it. “The App Store Review Board determined that the PC is not a console,” its developers shared on X (Twitter).
In this sense, they shared that they had decided to abandon the firm’s approval processes because it does not allow the use of a run-time compiler (JIT), which results in lower emulator performance.
Later, UTM shared an update warning that Apple has rejected this emulator due to rule 2.5.2, which states that emulators “must be independent” and that it is not possible to download, install or run code that introduces or changes features or functionalities of the service, except in the case of services for educational purposes.
