Urgent Question Regarding App Updates and the New Releases Page of the App Store

osucowboy18

Hey everyone,

We just released a new version (1.1) of iRound Up at around 9:30 PM CST, and after doing so, I've got a question about how updates are handled in the App Store on the New Releases page these days.

So, does Apple treat new versions of apps as "new releases" and give them a spot on the New Releases page of the App Store under the app's respective category? It has been my understanding that they do, but I just wanted to clarify things to make sure.

The weird thing is that just before we released the update of iRound Up, the New Releases page already had the apps released today (December 21). After the update to iRound Up went through, it was still not on the list. Does anyone know if it takes the system 24 hours to catch new released apps/updates and put them on that page or what?

Our goal in releasing version 1.1 was to have it stay on the New Releases page during the scheduled iTunes Connect Holiday Shutdown, so I need to know if we did everything right on our end to make sure that happened, or do we need to change the Availbility Date via the Rights and Pricing page in iTunes Connect for tomoroow (December 22nd) to ensure a spot on the New Releases page of the App Store?

Any and all assistance you can provide on the subject would be much appreciated! Thanks.

- Alex

tenrdrmer

Here lately anything but auto releasing the app has screwed up any new release listing period in my experience. I would not change your release date to tomorrow as it may already be shut down thus keeping you off the store all together I would say let it be to be honest. In the past though new releases did not include updates because developers would do stuff like this and try to game the system so to speak, by updating often to keep it listed higher. Not to say I would not do the same. so please don't take offense. I don't know if they have changed this or not.

osucowboy18

Thanks Aaron, and no offense taken

Plus, we did the update to correct a few bugs we found after the initial launch, and we wanted the update to go out before the holiday shutdown so users buying iRound Up wouldn't have any bugs. But then we though, well what if it was approved and released on Wednesday, the day before the shutdown. So while it wasn't all about "gaming the system" I guess you could call it a perk if it works out However, I have noticed a few more apps have been added onto the list since I checked last, so maybe it just takes the system awhile to find them and put them on the list.

Here's hoping.

- Alex

SlickZero

Unfortunately, no. updating an app does not send it back to the top of the list. It used to be like that, but people abused the hell out of it, and they changed the way updates are handled. They just update, and stay where they are in the listing.

osucowboy18

@SlickZero: That's what I thought, until I checked the New Releases page and opened several apps and saw version numbers ranging from 1.0 to 4.1, which would lead to the assumption that they list updates on the New Releases page along side the new apps. I think that there needs to be some consistency on Apple's end. I've been told one thing from a Developer Support rep, and something else ends up happening. I guess only time will tell in this particular case.

tenrdrmer

IT could be a bug in general Just like the release dates getting completely screwed up when you dont auto release.

osucowboy18

@tenrdrmer: That's what I am beginning to think. The really weird thing is that the Senior Advisor I talked to over at Apple Developer Support stressed it wasn't a bug, its how the system was designed. If that really is the case, they need to fire the guy who told them this is how the system should process this kind of thing. You've got some of the smartest people on the planet at Cupertino, and they can't get a friggin date right? I'm considering emailing iTunes Connect after the new year and telling them this needs to be fixed. Maybe if they get enough complaints, they will do something about it.