Apple is blocking some AI “vibe coding” apps, such as Replit and Vibecode, from releasing updates to the App Store. According to reports from The Information, updates will be made available if the apps make any changes.
Vibe coding apps
' Vibe coding ' tools allow users with little or no programming experience to create applications or websites using natural language commands . Both programmers and non-technical users are adopting these tools.
Apple told The Information that some features of the vibe coding apps violate long-standing App Store rules. These rules prohibit apps from running code that changes their own functionality or that of other apps.
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Some of these apps support building software for Apple devices, which may have contributed to a recent surge in new submissions to the App Store and, in some cases, slower approval times, according to developers. An Apple spokesperson said the policy does not specifically target vibe coding apps.
Apple: Blocks updates, requests changes
According to Macrumors, Apple was close to approving updates for Replit and Vibecode after developers agreed to modify the way their apps display generated content. They also suggested entirely removing features.
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When platforms like Replit create an app, they typically display it within the original app using an embedded web view. This is something Apple seems to be opposed to. Replit is now awaiting approval if it adapts its app to open the generated apps in an external browser (instead of an in-app web view).
In the case of Vibecode, the review team indicated that it would likely approve updates if the app removed the ability to create software specifically for Apple devices.
The Information claims that Apple’s interference risks undermining the usability and apps vibe coding. For example, Replit’s mobile app has fallen from first to third place in Apple’s free developer tools rankings. According to the company, the drop is partly due to its inability to release updates.
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Vibe coding apps present a potential concern for Apple because they allow users to create apps that work outside the App Store ecosystem, while also competing with Xcode. Some developers believe Apple has an incentive to steer them toward its own tools, which could make switching to alternative platforms more difficult.
