Multiple emoji app developers have reported that they have received emails from Apple alerting them that their apps have been removed from the App Store. (For those who don’t know, emoji are pictures/emoticons that can be added to your messages on iOS.)
The letters to developers read:
“Hello XXXX,
We are writing to let you know your app, XXXX, has been removed from the App Store because it is no longer needed to unlock Emoji.
Since iOS 6 now provides Emoji support to all users, your app is no longer in compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines
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
If you have questions about the removal of your application, please contact App Review at appreview@apple.com. Please include the App ID and the name of your application in your email.
Thank you and best regards,
App Review”
With iOS 6 supporting native emoji, there is no longer a need for special apps to unlock the once hidden feature. Users previously had to download an app that would unlock the Japanese exclusive feature.
Although Apple’s email to developers states that their emoji apps have been removed, the apps can currently still be seen and downloaded from the App Store. It’s a smart decision by Apple to finally clean up its store of apps that scam people and charge money for a feature their phone already has.
It’s a good day for all those who hate seeing the App Store cluttered with pointless emoji apps, a bad day for people looking to sell people smiley faces.
