Apple adjusts developer support terms, Mac developers can choose to push app updates in stages over 7 days

Apple recently adjusted its developer support terms, requiring that all new apps and app upgrades submitted to the App Store must support iPhone XS Max and 12.9-inch iPad Pro from March 27, 2019. In addition, a 7-day phased update distribution method is provided for Mac developers, so that when users report certain problems, developers can make adjustments in time to avoid sending problematic updates and apps to all users.

Apple posted an announcement on its developer website: "Developers can now distribute macOS apps in stages, and can implement staged releases in automatic updates in App Store Connect. After automatic updates are enabled, your updates will be updated in a certain proportion within 7 days."

Currently, the phased update has taken effect in the Update of Mac App Store. Previously, after users enabled automatic updates, if a new version was found, it would be automatically installed immediately. If users do not enable this feature, there will be a number on the Mac App Store icon to remind users that several apps can be updated. This new developer feature means that different users may have different time for updates, and they will not be updated at the same time.

Specifically, 1% of users will get the update on the first day, and 2% of users will get the update on the second day. In the following days, it will gradually rise to 5%, 10%, 20%, 50%, and finally reach 100% on the 7th day. In this way, if a problem is found during the update process, the developer can stop the update in time (up to 30 days), thus avoiding updating all users at the same time. Apple support documents also stated that all users can still get the update immediately from the App Store manually.