On Monday, October 26th, just four days after we launched iSH on the App Store, we received a call from Apple informing us that they had found our app noncompliant with section 2.5.2 of the App Store Review Guidelines and that they would remove the app from sale if we did not submit a satisfactory update within two weeks. Despite our best efforts, we do not believe we will be able to bring iSH into compliance by tomorrow, the conclusion of this 14 day period, and we expect iSH to no longer be available to download from the App Store after that time. We are working our hardest to get iSH back on the App Store as soon as possible and hope for your understanding and support as we navigate our next steps in this process.
I wrote that I was surprised that Apple let iSH, a Linux shell app for iOS, through App Store Review, and unfortunately, it’s time is short-lived. I don’t understand why Apple tries to promote some of its iOS devices as professional-grade when it limits development tools on iOS so much. Apple needs to realize that developers are a subset of professionals, and the creativity to create an app like iSH should be applauded.
Overcast developer and Accidental Tech Podcast host Marco Arment had summed it up well:
iOS power users are so devoted, and so desperate for a proper terminal environment, that they made this incredible x86-emulator app with an entire Linux stack inside of it.
Instead of celebrating the skill and dedication of their most enthusiastic customers, Apple is killing it.
Michael Miller 