Apple Developer News - May 2026

Brazilian betting license requirement for App Store availability

May 8, 2026

Following changes to Brazil’s fixed-odds betting regulation, apps with fixed-odds betting (gambling) features can now be distributed on the App Store in Brazil with a valid fixed-odds betting license from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA). If your apps include these features (indicated by selecting “Yes” to the gambling question in the age rating questionnaire in App Store Connect), you’ll need to provide this license.

Key requirements:

Submit a new app version to initiate license verification
Include license information in App Store Connect's App Review Information section
Enter license details in the Notes field
Attach supporting documents

Now Available: Monthly Subscriptions with a 12-Month Commitment

April 27, 2026

New payment option allowing monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment on the App Store. This provides more affordable options for subscribers.

Features:

Subscribers can cancel at any time, preventing renewal after completing their commitment
Transparent view of completed and remaining payments in Apple Account
Email and push notifications remind subscribers of upcoming renewals
Available worldwide (except US and Singapore) on iOS 26.4+, iPadOS 26.4+, macOS Tahoe 26.4+, tvOS 26.4+, visionOS 26.4+
Requires iOS 26.5+ for full availability starting May 2026

App Store expands support to 11 new languages

March 31, 2026

App Store Connect now supports localized metadata for 11 new languages, bringing total to 50. New languages: Bangla, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Slovenian, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu.

Benefits:

Localize app name, description, screenshots, and more
Reach more users across languages and cultures
Grow your business in new markets
Use new localized App Store badges in marketing

Updated Apple Developer Program License Agreement now available

March 30, 2026

Revised license agreement to support new features, updated policies, and clarifications. Key changes:

Foveated Streaming framework: specified requirements and data privacy
Family Controls framework: specified requirements
Accessory Notifications framework and Accessory Live Activities framework: specified requirements

Translations will be available within one month.

Get ready with the latest beta releases

March 30, 2026

Beta versions of iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, macOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 are now available. Developers should:

Test apps on these releases
Build with Xcode 26.5 beta
Take advantage of new SDK advancements

Update on regulated medical device apps

March 26, 2026

App Store will now display whether an app is a regulated medical device on its product page in EEA, UK, and US.

Requirements for apps that:

Have primary/secondary category Health & Fitness or Medical
Contain frequent references to Medical or Treatment Information

App Store will display regulated medical device status to provide transparency to customers.