MIT App Inventor for iOS Version 0.9.12

[Hrichik_Mazumder]

Can't create folder in Android 10

Apple policy is that apps cannot run code not approved by App Store review, so the companion app can't support extensions otherwise it wouldn't be approved (or we'd risk getting thrown out of the store). We may be able to support extensions in compiled apps, but it will probably end up requiring extension authors to write the extension both in Java and in Swift. We don't have a time frame for when that would be supported.

What does it mean by below? @ewpatton
As the apps will go through same Apple checking even if extensions are included or not.

"code not approved by App Store review"

[ewpatton]

App Store Review Guideline 2.5.2 stipulates:

• Apps should be self-contained in their bundles, and may not [...] download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app [...]. Educational apps designed to teach, develop, or allow students to test executable code may, in limited circumstances, download code provided that such code is not used for other purposes. Such apps must make the source code provided by the Application completely viewable and editable by the user.

If the companion app loaded binary code for extensions similar to what the Android version does, that would be a clear violation of the guideline. Compiled apps won't have this restriction because the extension binary can be linked at build time and so it would be considered part of the app bundle submitted to Apple.

[Hrichik_Mazumder]

Oh, now I understood that.

As companion is downloading the code from (appinventor local server) server and executing it so, that would be a clear violation of the guideline. However as it loads the app code from server and executes it, its still violating the app store guideline as they are not checked either?

[ewpatton]

I'm not sure I understand your question.

[Hrichik_Mazumder]

My question more simplified:

As the companion loads the app code (when we scan the QR) from server and executes it, its still violating the app store guideline as they are not checked by apple either?

As apple guidelines says

"nor may they download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app"

But the functionality of companion also changes when we scan the code (until we restart the app)

[Point]

I think this case does not go beyond the guideline because the code of the components that are in the app inventor already exists in the companion

[ewpatton]

We believe that App Inventor will fall under the education exemption seeing as the design and blocks are done by the student and that internally the code is reviewable by App Store Review when we submit it. Extension code doesn't meet the criteria set out by App Store Review as it isn't editable as part of the app experience.

[Hrichik_Mazumder]

Yeah, I got that. Thanks

@ewpatton

We believe that App Inventor will fall under the education exemption seeing as the design and blocks are done by the student and that internally the code is reviewable by App Store Review when we submit it. Extension code doesn't meet the criteria set out by App Store Review as it isn't editable as part of the app experience

Hopefully Yeah

[mercede]

Dear ewpatton I'm following with interest your work on MIT App Inventor for iOS 0.9.12.
As far as I built a good App in Android, I'll intend to write same App for iOS.
Question: where should I download Version 0.9.12
Great work
All the best
Mercede

[newbiedeveloper]

@mercede

where should I download Version 0.9.12

it is in progress. will be published soon

[Point]

I also hope it launches soon, but it seems that only the companion will launch soon so you can not yet publish or install the app on iOS

[mercede]

Thank you for your kind info

[assegid]

I just want to make sure I understand this correctly. Does this mean only Apps that do not use extensions can be run on IOS devices? I was unable to run an app on an iPad. It keeps getting stuck at 97% after using Connect/AI Companion. Capture attached.

[Anke]

@assegid

Does this mean only Apps that do not use extensions can be run on IOS devices?

Yes, extensions cannot (currently) be used for iOS apps.

[assegid]

Thanks Anke. Is there a chance they will be in the near future? If so, any ETA?

[ewpatton]

Hi @assegid,

Please see this thread:

Extensions for iOS

How will App Inventor handle extensions on iOS? There's no way existing android extensions will work, and the companion can't have extensions due to Apple restrictions on loading binaries. What is the plan?

[Aarush_Kumar]

so basically extensions that use java library should work and extensions using android library wont work right?

[ewpatton]

No. There isn't a Java interpreter to be found in the iOS version. We're still working on the details but the odds are that if we do offer extensions on iOS they will need to be written in Swift/Objective-C and that they will only be included in compiled apps and not hot-loadable into the companion in order to not violate App Store guidelines.

[Pradevel]

Learning Swift shall be a good idea?

[ewpatton]

If you're looking to eventually build on top of the iOS version, e.g., extensions, then yes you may want to consider learning Swift.