Apple Boots Vibe Coding Apps: Anything Pivots to Desktop
Apple rejected Anything's app twice under guideline 2.5.2 for executing code; co-founder reveals failed appeals and rewrites, now shifting to desktop apps, iMessage, and Android for mobile building.
Apple's Crackdown on Code-Executing Apps Crushes Vibe Coding Tools
Apple enforces developer guideline 2.5.2, banning apps that download, install, or execute code, targeting vibe coding apps like Anything, Replit, and Vibecode. Removals cite risks of malicious code sideloading disguised as App Review-passed apps. Anything's iOS app, built for previewing user-generated iOS apps on-device, was pulled March 26 after smooth sailing through December; briefly restored April 3 but yanked again for marketing as an "iOS app builder" with 1-tap App Store submissions and code export. Company endured months of emails, calls, appeals, and four technical rewrites—yet Apple cited security fears on review calls. Result: Blocked updates for competitors, Anything fully removed twice, forcing non-iOS paths for production mobile app building.
Anything's Rapid Pivots Bypass iOS Lockout
Post-rejection, Anything launched iMessage-based app building and plans a desktop companion for vibe coding mobile apps on computers—sidestepping App Store entirely. Co-founder Dhruv Amin eyes Android's openness for native app creation, avoiding iOS gatekeeping. Despite turmoil, Anything hit $2M ARR and $100M valuation in first two weeks pre-drama. Builders take note: Prioritize cross-platform previews and export code early; desktop wrappers enable mobile previews without app store dependency, preserving user workflow.
Surging AI Submissions Pressure Apple's Review Model
AI coding sparked 84% jump in App Store submissions last quarter, per The Information, overwhelming human reviewers. Epic's Tim Sweeney blasts blocks as anti-Wozniak ethos—every Apple II booted to a programming prompt equating use and creation. As consumers demand self-built apps, platforms face backlash; indie builders should hedge with web/desktop fallbacks and Android to ship despite iOS hurdles.