Apple Will Now Allow Developers To Transfer Ownership of Apps That Use iCloud (9to5mac.com) 10
"The most impactful change to come out of WWDC had nothing to do with APIs, a new framework or any hardware announcement," writes Jordan Morgan via Daring Fireball. "Instead, it was a change I've been clamoring for the last several years -- and it's one that's incredibly indie friendly. As you've no doubt heard by now, I'm of course talking about iCloud enabled apps now allowing app transfers." 9to5Mac explains how it works: According to Apple, you already could transfer an app when you've sold it to another developer or you would want to move it to another App Store Connect account or organization. You can also transfer the ownership of an app to another developer without removing it from the App Store. The company said: "The app retains its reviews and ratings during and after the transfer, and users continue to have access to future updates. Additionally, when an app is transferred, it maintains its Bundle ID -- it's not possible to update the Bundle ID after a build has been uploaded for the app."
The news here is that it's easier for developers to transfer the ownership of apps that use iCloud. Apple said that if your app uses any of the following, it will be transferred to the transfer recipient after they accept the app transfer: iCloud to store user data; iCloud containers; and KVS identifiers are associated with the app.
The company said: "If multiple apps on your account share a CloudKit container, the transfer of one app will disable the other apps' ability to read or store data using the transferred CloudKit container. Additionally, the transferor will no longer have access to user data for the transferred app via the iCloud dashboard. Any app updates will disable the app's ability to read or store data using the transferred CloudKit container. If your app uses iCloud Key-Value Storage (KVS), the full KVS value will be embedded in any new provisioning profiles you create for the transferred app. Update your entitlements plist with the full KVS value in your provisioning profile." You can learn more about the news via this Apple Developer page.
The news here is that it's easier for developers to transfer the ownership of apps that use iCloud. Apple said that if your app uses any of the following, it will be transferred to the transfer recipient after they accept the app transfer: iCloud to store user data; iCloud containers; and KVS identifiers are associated with the app.
The company said: "If multiple apps on your account share a CloudKit container, the transfer of one app will disable the other apps' ability to read or store data using the transferred CloudKit container. Additionally, the transferor will no longer have access to user data for the transferred app via the iCloud dashboard. Any app updates will disable the app's ability to read or store data using the transferred CloudKit container. If your app uses iCloud Key-Value Storage (KVS), the full KVS value will be embedded in any new provisioning profiles you create for the transferred app. Update your entitlements plist with the full KVS value in your provisioning profile." You can learn more about the news via this Apple Developer page.
I've been waiting 5 years for this... (Score:5, Interesting)
Emigrated 8 years ago and after I got settled I tried to move my App biz to my new country. Got 2 out of 4 apps moved to my new account only to be told I couldn't move my "bread winner" apps because they supported iCloud.
This was after me asking Apple in a support ticket if there would be an issue transferring. Sure, they said, no problem they said...
So I've been very patient and it's been expensive for me paying the equivalent to $99 annually for 2 accounts for 5 years because of some random rule.
Two days ago I started the final migration requesting a transfer of just one app (being cautious...) and all went well.
Last email I got from Apple was to tell me the transfer was complete and that "It can take up to three hours for the app to transfer."
That was 2 days ago.... Still waiting. Must be a HUGE backlog of Apps on the move after so many years of others like me patiently waiting...
Re: (Score:2)
I'm kind of confused how this relates to the story. You didn't actually sell anything, even to yourself? Why did you have to change anything just because you were accessing your own stuff from somewhere else? Worst case scenario might have called for a VPN?
My feelings are mixed. I don't see any good reason to restrict the transfers in the first place. Apps have natural lifespans, too, and there are different people who are better at handling different phases of an app's life. First you need creation and deb
Will they also... (Score:5, Interesting)
Will they also prominently notify users when an app changes ownership? So that users get alerted when some potentially shady malware company buys control our old standby app? And give them the option to stay with the last version from the old owner, or remove it and flag it prominently in their library as being suspected malware? Not to mention prompt you to reconsider the permissions you give it in light of the new owner?
Re: Will they also... (Score:2)
So... no?
Gas this ever been a thing, ever? Why would it be a thing now?
Re: (Score:2)
It's "always" been a thing. Old apps being bought out by shady groups has been going on almost since the beginning.
If Apple is making it more convenient to transfer control of your app, it's only likely to get worse.
Re: (Score:2)
I meant disclosure of transferring ownership to current license holders.
Uh-oh (Score:4, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
Mod up as informative, but it seems to be an argument for my solution approach (in the larger comment)...
This is bad for end users (Score:3)