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PhoneGApp Store Approval | November 20th, 2009

I just received word from Apple that :

a) Apple has given PhoneGap a technical analysis , and PhoneGap does not violate the Terms & Conditions of the App Store.
b) Apple will review PhoneGap applications based on their own merits and not on their use of PhoneGap.

What this means:

There was still some apprehension within the community as to whether or not using PhoneGap would lead to a possible rejection from the iPhone App Store, we definitely have a green light to PhoneGap. This means we can all get back to doing what we love best, building fast, easy mobile apps with JavaScript+HTML+CSS while still taking advantage of the core features in the iPhone, Android, Symbian-WRT and Blackberry devices.

Happy coding!

[ Update:: April 13, 2010 ]

I have received word from Apple that the above is STILL true! If you were concerned by the recent changes to Apple’s iPhone developer agreement, this has ZERO impact on PhoneGap!

Apps built with PhoneGap will continue to be reviewed based on their own merits and NOT dismissed/rejected because they use PhoneGap.

So enough with the crazy speculative rumour mill. Let’s get back to making apps with HTML+CSS+JavaScript.

PhoneGap ftw!

Posted in iPhone, PhoneGap | 52 Comments » | Add to Delicious | Digg It

This entry was posted on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 7:29 am and is filed under iPhone, PhoneGap. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

52 Responses to “PhoneGApp Store Approval”

  1. Twitted by brianleroux Says:

    [...] This post was Twitted by brianleroux [...]

  2. Jeremy hubert Says:

    That’s great news. I can now release V2 of my PhoneGap application without worrying about V1 being removed from the app store. :p

    Keep up the good work guys.

  3. uberVU - social comments Says:

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by purplecabbage: PhoneGap passes Apple’s Technical analysis http://bit.ly/4wiVOL...

  4. Twitted by rob_ellis Says:

    [...] This post was Twitted by rob_ellis [...]

  5. Bart Says:

    That is fantastic news, so now it doesn’t matter wich version phonegap to use?
    Can you share letter?

  6. Francesco Says:

    Compliments guys! Great news

  7. Andre Charland Says:

    This really confirms earlier indications that Apple was going to allow PhoneGap:

    http://nachbaur.com/blog/phonegap-officially-permitted-on-the-app-store

  8. Jesse Says:

    Bart, there was no specific letter. I was in email contact with an App Store rep, and informed that our apps were being held while the techs reviewed PhoneGap. I then received word that PhoneGap was given the thumbs up and our apps were being approved.

  9. Jesse Says:

    Update: I had my (personal) app Suji-Q approved today. I submitted this app partially as a test exactly 2 weeks ago. It is obviously PhoneGap and makes no effort whatsoever to hide this fact. Published with Version 0.8.0 file and absolutely no changes to the phonegap xcode project. ( all PhoneGap commands + libraries are present even though most are never used )

    If you want to check it out, I am sure you can figure out how to find it.

  10. This Much I Know - » Developing hybrid iPhone apps Says:

    [...] recently started testing apps for the use of undocumented APIs. However, PhoneGap state that they have had clearance from Apple for using their framework on the App Store, which is good news, and presumably goes for [...]

  11. PhoneGap given Apple Seal of Approval « ambiguiti.es - Web and Mobile Development News, Articles, and Tid-bits Says:

    [...] of this framework, or simply evaluate these applications on their own merits instead. According to Jesse MacFadyen of [...]

  12. Mark Holton Says:

    Awesome news!

  13. Mark Gonzales Says:

    This is great news! I do have a few questions. Is this a blanket approval on all versions of PhoneGap or do applications still need to use 0.8 to be accepted into the app store?

  14. Breaking Art Says:

    My PhoneGap app went from In Review to Approved in just 24 hours 41 minutes. Apple definitely has no problems with PhoneGap apps now.

    Full story:

    http://breakingart.com/blog/2010/02/15/does-apple-approve-phonegap-apps/

  15. Jarin Udom Says:

    I am very relieved to hear this news, as I’m working on an app that uses Titanium (very similar to PhoneGap) :)

  16. The Great Section 3.3.1 Debate at Under The Bridge Says:

    [...] Indeed, we have probably believable word that Apple sees it that way too, at least for PhoneGap: [...]

  17. Apple godkänner (fortfarande) PhoneGap för Appstore | iPhone 24 Says:

    [...] utvecklas av Nitobi som gick ut med den här informationen på sin blog efter att de fått klartecken från Apple. Liknande inlägg:Nytt utvecklaravtal blockerar [...]

  18. Abdul Qabiz Says:

    That’s great news. I am looking forward to build more apps using phonegap.

  19. My daily readings 04/14/2010 « Strange Kite Says:

    [...] Jesse @ Nitobi » Blog Archive » PhoneGApp Store Approval [...]

  20. Apple: PhoneGap Framework Is Ok for the App Store Says:

    [...] be reviewed based on their own merits and not the framework. Jesse Macfayden has indeed updated a post from November 2009 with the latest news he’s got from Apple:“I have received word from [...]

  21. jm Says:

    “So enough with the crazy speculative rumour mill.”

    I really really hope so!

    But can you tell us more about you hearing word from Apple? Was this in an email? Phone call? Press release? Until then, this post is part of the rumor mill as well :(

    Regardless, thanks a bunch for the updates! Just waiting on uh…confirmation of your confirmation

  22. randy Says:

    As long as you’re not using Flash, then you should be safe ;)

  23. Joe Hoyle Says:

    I was under the impression that the new license agreement only applies to OS 4, which is not released yet. If so that would mean currently any apps submitted to the App Store are reviewed under the license terms of OS 3.x.x (which does not explicitly exclude cross-compilers etc.

    Though you mentioned that you “received word from Apple that the above is STILL true!”, it may _still_ be true, but perhaps not when OS 4 is released?

    Just crossed my mind, not trying to dig at anyone!

  24. Why I Doubt Apple Will Change Section 3.3.1 - More Wally - Wallace B. McClure Says:

    [...] the iPhone.Added late: According to Twitter.com Tweets, Apple has said that apps written in PhoneGap are acceptable. Either they are [...]

  25. Jamie MacKinnon Says:

    Wow fantastic news guys, glad to see the PhoneGap/Webkit merits being recognized. Hope to get some project time in the summer to tinker with it more.

  26. rudyg Says:

    Don’t really understand why these rumors start. I couldn’t see how Phonegap based app would be negatively effected with the Apple policy change… Looks like this change is more about addressing “runtime” environments (like flash).

    Keep up the great work!

  27. Dan Dickinson Says:

    “I was under the impression that the new license agreement only applies to OS 4″

    I’ve seen a few developers indicate that they couldn’t get into iTunes Connect without consenting to the new agreement. It’s effective when you agree to it - it’s not an agreement about the future.

  28. Dai Jones Says:

    Apple have never had a problem with Javascript+HTML+CSS as far as I know, quite happy with, effectively, locally stored web applications - the Phone OS knows what to do with them, unlike raw ARM code spewed out by a Flash generator

  29. Jesse Says:

    PhoneGap is more than JS+HTML+CSS though, it is Obj-C that exposes native functions to JS, like Accelerometer, Contacts, File-IO, …

  30. Jesse Says:

    It was all speculation over the meaning of the word ‘layer’. IMHO it still needs to be more clearly defined.

  31. Vinod Says:

    Is this App developed this app on 4.0?

  32. QQ Says:

    This is such a great news!!!!
    I was so upset when rumors came about PhoneGap.

  33. Il framework PhoneGap non avrà problemi con OS 4 - TheAppleLounge Says:

    [...] con Phone Gap non sarebbe stata influenzata dall’uso del framework. Lo sviluppatore ha aggiornato di recente l’articolo per specificare che Apple ha confermato questa linea e che quindi i nuovi TOS di iPhone OS 4 non [...]

  34. PhoneGap framework fine for App Store development, sez Apple | Technology News and Gadgets Says:

    [...] 2010 03:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Mac Stories  |  Jesse Macfadyen's Blog  | Email [...]

  35. PhoneGap framework fine for App Store development, sez Apple at Technology Nirvana Says:

    [...] 2010 03:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Mac Stories  |  Jesse Macfadyen's Blog  | Email [...]

  36. PhoneGap framework fine for App Store development, sez Apple | iNews 24h Says:

    [...] Stories Jesse Macfadyen’s Blog var AdBrite_Title_Color = 'A91B33'; var AdBrite_Text_Color = '000000'; var [...]

  37. PhoneGap framework fine for App Store development, sez Apple | Computer World Says:

    [...] Stories  |  Jesse Macfadyen’s Blog  | Email this | Comments Posted in computer news • Tags: Agreement [...]

  38. Entwarnung für Phonegap Entwickler » Entwicklung » Poshpad Says:

    [...] Werden künftig noch auf Phonegap basierte Apps durchgewunken? Und es sieht so aus, als gäbe es Entwarnung: a) Apple has given PhoneGap a technical analysis , and PhoneGap does not violate the Terms & [...]

  39. PhoneGap is OK for iPhone devs | iPhone Hellas Says:

    [...] ??? ?????????? ??? blog ???? ????????? ??? ???? ??? ??????????? ??? ????? ?? ??? [...]

  40. PhoneGap framework fine for App Store development, sez Apple | Impulse Technologies Tech Feed Says:

    [...] 2010 03:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Mac Stories  |  Jesse Macfadyen's Blog  | Email [...]

  41. Jeff’s Home » Blog Archive » PhoneGap framework fine for App Store development, sez Apple Says:

    [...] Stories  |  Jesse Macfadyen’s Blog  | Email [...]

  42. iPhone and iPad News recap – 4/16/10 « Get Apps Done Says:

    [...] PhoneGap passes Apple’s approval Apple has given PhoneGap a technical analysis , and PhoneGap does not violate the Terms & Conditions of the App Store. [...]

  43. PhoneGap framework fine for App Store development, sez Apple | The Dynamic Tech Store Says:

    [...] Stories  |  Jesse Macfadyen’s Blog  | Email [...]

  44. danno watts Says:

    do you have a copy of the wording that apple wrote back to you with?

    great news if everything really is good for javascript based development tools for the iphone os!

    rocksteady,
    danno~

  45. Adobe vs Apple - Adobe abandonne les plateformes Apple pour de bon - Adobe Flex Tutorial - Tutoriaux Flex Builder, MXML, ActionScript, AS3 Says:

    [...] son côté, PhoneGap prétend avoir confirmation de la part d'Apple que leurs applications PhoneGap ne seraient pas en danger. D'après Apple, les applications générées avec PhoneGap (à base de HTML/JS/CSS pour [...]

  46. Google launches App Inventor, “DIY App Creation Tool for Android Says:

    [...] Unfortunately, third-party Apple tools are always just one step away from being knocked out of existence, thanks to Apple’s ever-changing software developer kit license. Earlier this year, Apple famously updated its terms to specify that only applications written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript would be permitted in the iTunes Store. The move was a swipe at Adobe, and the intended victim was Adobe’s Flash-to-iPhone packager, a tool that would have allowed Adobe developers to code for Apple’s platform with Flash. But in Apple’s zest to kick out Adobe, other application developers were fearful as well that they, too would be affected. [...]

  47. We Love Crowds » Google Launches “App Inventor,” DIY App Creation Tool for Android Says:

    [...] Unfortunately, third-party Apple tools are always just one step away from being knocked out of existence, thanks to Apple's ever-changing software developer kit license. Earlier this year, Apple famously updated its terms to specify that only applications written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript would be permitted in the iTunes Store. The move was a swipe at Adobe, and the intended victim was Adobe's Flash-to-iPhone packager, a tool that would have allowed Adobe developers to code for Apple's platform with Flash. But in Apple's zest to kick out Adobe, other application developers were fearful as well that they, too would be affected. [...]

  48. Google Launches “App Inventor,” DIY App Creation Tool for Android | Tech News Ninja Says:

    [...] Unfortunately, third-party Apple tools are always just one step away from being knocked out of existence, thanks to Apple’s ever-changing software developer kit license. Earlier this year, Apple famously updated its terms to specify that only applications written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript would be permitted in the iTunes Store. The move was a swipe at Adobe, and the intended victim was Adobe’s Flash-to-iPhone packager, a tool that would have allowed Adobe developers to code for Apple’s platform with Flash. But in Apple’s zest to kick out Adobe, other application developers were fearful as well that they, too would be affected. [...]

  49. Google Launches "App Inventor," DIY App Creation Tool for Android | This Is An Awesome Web Site Says:

    [...] Unfortunately, third-party Apple tools are always just one step away from being knocked out of existence, thanks to Apple’s ever-changing software developer kit license. Earlier this year, Apple famously updated its terms to specify that only applications written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript would be permitted in the iTunes Store. The move was a swipe at Adobe, and the intended victim was Adobe’s Flash-to-iPhone packager, a tool that would have allowed Adobe developers to code for Apple’s platform with Flash. But in Apple’s zest to kick out Adobe, other application developers were fearful as well that they, too would be affected. [...]

  50. tokao.com » Google Launches App Inventor: DIY App Creation Tool for Android Says:

    [...] Unfortunately, third-party Apple tools are always just one step away from being knocked out of existence, thanks to Apple’s ever-changing software developer kit license. Earlier this year, Apple famously updated its terms to specify that only applications written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript would be permitted in the iTunes Store. The move was a swipe at Adobe, and the intended victim was Adobe’s Flash-to-iPhone packager, a tool that would have allowed Adobe developers to code for Apple’s platform with Flash. But in Apple’s zest to kick out Adobe, other application developers were fearful as well that they, too, would be affected. [...]

  51. Andrew Says:

    Last updated April 13th, 2010 - Just wondering is it still valid to say that Apple will approve Phonegap apps on merit rather than because they’ve been made with Phonegap?

  52. Jesse Says:

    Yes, there are thousands of PhoneGap apps in the app store. This is NOT an issue, and will continue to NOT be an issue.