Apple now requires all apps submitted after March 27 must support iPhone Xs Max and iPad Pro

Image: Apple Back in December, Apple informed those registered in the Developer Program that future iPhone apps built with the iOS 12 SD...

Image: Apple

Back in December, Apple informed those registered in the Developer Program that future iPhone apps built with the iOS 12 SDK must support the iPhone Xs Max and for iPad apps, must support the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Yesterday, Apple notified developers that starting March 27, 2019, all iPhone or iPad apps must support these models.

“Starting March 27, 2019, all iOS apps submitted to the App Store will need to be built with the iOS 12.1 SDK or later, and support the all-screen design of iPhone XS Max or the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation),” says the Apple Developer website.

Apple stated that apps built or updated with the iOS 12.1 SDK, and submitted after March 27, 2019, must take full advantage of the resolution of these devices.

These apps must take advantage of the all-screen design of the iPad Pro and iPhone Xs, Xr, and specifically the larger Xs Max. Developers must take “advantage of the edge-to-edge displays by respecting safe areas, supporting adaptive layouts, and more.”

In the past, apps that weren’t designed for these larger displays appeared blown up with fuzzy text/images and black borders. With this new rule, Apple plans to eliminate fuzzy text/images and have all apps use the entire display.

Developers will also be required to upload new screenshots for these devices. “Starting March 2019, all app submissions for iPhone or iPad, including universal apps, will require screenshots for iPhone XS Max or the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation),” says Apple.

Furthermore, Apple will also be requiring developers to use watchOS 5.1 SDK and support the Series 4 Apple Watch display after that date.