Dec 19, 2024 1 min read

iOS emulator dev is stuck in App Store review hell

Provenance has faced repeated knock-backs in being approved.

iOS emulator dev is stuck in App Store review hell

Provenance has faced repeated knock-backs in being approved.

Joe Mattiello, developer of the iOS and tvOS emulator app Provenance is facing ongoing issues with getting Apple to approve their latest iOS app.

A recent post (shared on X) detailed that the latest version had been rejected due to App Store reviewers being unable to add ROMs — and, as a result not being able to access and test the full range of features that the Provenance app offers.

It's fair to say Apple's updated policy on allowing retro game emulators on the App Store has been somewhat ambiguous and imperfect in how it's being implemented.

The Provenance app, as noted by Craig Grannell, has been stuck in app review for around seven weeks now.

In a follow-up post, the Provenance account posted:

"I've officially run out of money. Apple has bankrupted me".

This unfortunate update, which was even shared on X by Epic Games CEO, and all-round Apple detractor Tim Sweeney, hints that Mattiello has reached a discouraging point of frustration with the App Store review process.

Another post on X noted "I don't want to give up [..] but I'm pretty bummed out. This has been six months, around-the-clock, sleepless nights, weekends, holidays".


You can find out more about Provenance on GitHub or at the project wiki.

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