In a notice posted yesterday on Apple’s Developer Center, the company has officially announced that they will begin rejecting any newly submitted or updated apps that require access to a device’s UDID, after warning developers against using the old identifier system for nearly a full year. They’ll also begin rejecting any new app or update that lacks support for the iPhone 5’s 4-inch Retina display.
From the Developer Center:
Using Identifiers in Your Apps
Starting May 1, the App Store will no longer accept new apps or app updates that access UDIDs. Please update your apps and servers to associate users with the Vendor or Advertising identifiers introduced in iOS 6. You can find more details in the UIDevice Class Reference.
Make Your Apps Look Great on the Retina Display and iPhone 5
Starting May 1, new apps and app updates submitted to the App Store must be built for iOS devices with Retina display and iPhone apps must also support the 4-inch display on iPhone 5. Learn about preparing your apps by reviewing the iOS Human Interface Guidelines.
Instead of using iOS device UDIDs, developers that require the ability to track apps to specific devices must use Apple’s new Advertising Identifier system introduced with iOS 6. The Advertising Identifier system provides the same functionality as a UDID for developers, but does not attach personal information to your device, as the UDID does.
While the change is anything but unexpected, TheNextWeb notes that it comes with an unfortunate side effect: Older iOS devices that don’t support iOS 6 will not be able to download and use newly submitted or updated apps after May 1st. I suppose it had to happen sooner or later – but it is unfortunate for people that still rely on older iOS devices!
