Earlier quite a few iDOS users and supporters reached out to me to let me know about the recent AppStore policy change (Thanks, EU). In light of this, I decided to resubmit iDOS. However, it looks like Apple has blacklisted iDOS 2, preventing me from even requesting a review under that title, and I had to submit under a brand new title "iDOS 3".

Here's where things got interesting. Initially they rejected the submission because it was same as iDOS 2, but after I explained to them that I can not continue under iDOS2, then they rejected again as "Design spam" on the basis that there has been many submissions lately with the exact same design.

I don't actually care much about the copycats, but just can't understand why it's difficult for Apple to check my account history and tell which is the original. It's a little bit insulting that I had to tell the story to them time and time again and yet the issue is unresolved after 1 week.

For the people that are waiting, I am hopeful that we will sort it out eventually. And if everything indeed goes well, there will be updates coming to justify this version bump.

Update 2024-05-08: "Your app is in review but is requiring additional time." Makes me wonder if the reviewer is trying to play a game through.

Update 2024-06-15: Got a call from Apple after 2 months. They have decided that iDOS is not a retro game console, so the new rule is not applicable. They suggested I make changes and resubmit for review, but when I asked what changes I should make to be compliant, they had no idea, nor when I asked what a retro game console is. It's still the same old unreasonable answer along the line of "we know it when we see it".

Update 2024-07-14: Got an email from a user about the recent approval of UTM. Given iDOS was rejected based on the same reason previously, I resubmitted for review and was rejected really quick: "The app still provides emulator functionality but is not emulating a retro game console specifically. Only emulators of retro game consoles are appropriate per guideline 4.7.". Really hard to guess what is going on in their mind.

Update 2024-07-16: Appeal was rejected by App Review Board: "We understand that you might disagree with our findings. However, the app still provides emulator functionality but is not emulating a retro game console specifically. Only emulators of retro game consoles are appropriate per guideline 4.7." As to why UTM was approved but not iDOS, they wrote: "If you believe that you have identified apps that don't comply with the App Review Guidelines, you may use the Report an app form at any time to report trust and safety concerns for apps on the App Store." Thanks, but no, that is ridiculous, I have zero concern about trust and safety running an emulator.