Apple Blocks Updates to AI Coding Apps on App Store

Apple has blocked updates to several popular AI-powered "vibe coding" apps on its App Store, requiring developers to modify features that allow users to generate and run new code within the apps. The move affects platforms such as Replit and Vibecode, which enable non-programmers to create applications using natural language prompts. According to developers familiar with the situation, the restrictions stem from enforcement of existing App Store guidelines and have been in place since early this year.

Vibe coding tools represent a growing trend in software development, where users describe desired functions in plain text, and artificial intelligence generates functional code for web apps, mobile tools, or games. These apps have gained traction for democratizing app creation, particularly among startups and hobbyists, by reducing the need for traditional coding expertise. However, Apple views certain implementations as violating Guideline 2.5.2, which states that apps must be self-contained and cannot download, install, or execute code that alters their functionality or that of other apps after review. An exception exists for educational apps that allow limited code testing,...