iphone : Managing version updates of a native app

Question

Hi,

I'd like to make sure a user uses a good version of the iphone app.

The idea I had was that whenever a user opens the native iphone application he sends a request to the server with the version number of the application. Depending on the server response, it would activate or not the application.

Does Apple demand that the application should ask the user that the application will send a message to the server to check the version number ? Would it be a reason for a native app to be rejected ?

Is there a better way to manage versions ?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Fabio

Answer 1

Is there a better way to manage versions ?

Yes. I believe Apple does this for you. When you have a new update ready, you submit it to the App Store, and once Apple has approved the update, users will see the update in the "Updates" tab of the "App Store" app (or, if they're using iTunes on their computer, in the "Applications" view).

On forcing updates:

Never force an update on a user. I can understand why you want to make sure your users have the latest version of your app, but as a user, I would hate being forced to update the app every time a new version was available. What if I'm in a hurry and want to quickly use your app, but then when I open the app, it forces me to download a new version before I can do anything? This would be a very bad user experience.

You must respect your users; it is a privilege that they have your app on their iPhone/iPod Touch at all.

Don't try and create your own update system—Apple's update system is fine the way it is.

Answer 2

Forcing updates is so not cool.

Answer 3

If I had a choice, I would never use an app like this. Nor would I support any developer who does this.