History of App Store (Apple) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: September 29, 2025

The App Store is Apple's marketplace for mobile applications on iOS and iPadOS. It enables users to discover, download, and install apps developed using Apple's iOS SDK onto devices like iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches. Some apps extend functionality to Apple Watches and Apple TVs. All available apps undergo a review process before being approved for distribution.

2017: Tim Sweeney questioned the need for digital storefronts like Steam, iOS App Store and Google Play to take a 30% revenue sharing cut.

Since as early as 2017, Tim Sweeney had questioned the need for digital storefronts like Valve's Steam, Apple's iOS App Store, and Google Play, to take a 30% revenue sharing cut, and argued that a revenue cut of 8% should be sufficient to run any digital storefront profitably.

August 2018: Apple removed 25,000 illegal apps from the App Store in China

In August 2018, Apple removed 25,000 illegal apps from the App Store in China as a result of Chinese regulations.

October 2019: Apple removed an app used by Hong Kong protesters

In October 2019, Apple initially rejected, then approved, and finally removed an app used by participants in the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests.

November 2019: Apple removed all vaping-related applications from the App Store

In November 2019, Apple removed all applications related to vaping from the App Store, citing warnings from health experts. Apple made this decision to reduce the promotion of e-cigarette use.

2019: Tim Cook defended company actions in memo to employees.

In 2019, CEO Tim Cook defended company actions, stating in a memo to employees that "national and international debates will outlive us all, and while important, they do not govern the facts."

August 13, 2020: Epic Games updated Fortnite, and Apple removed it from the App Store.

On August 13, 2020, Epic Games updated Fortnite across all platforms to reduce the price of "V-Bucks" by 20% if purchased directly from Epic. Apple removed Fortnite from their storefronts, citing violations of terms of service. Epic then filed lawsuits against Apple and Google for antitrust and anticompetitive behavior.

August 28, 2020: Apple planned to terminate Epic's developer accounts

On August 28, 2020, Apple responded to Epic's lawsuit that it would terminate Epic's developer accounts, leading Epic to file a motion for a preliminary injunction to force Apple to return Fortnite to the App Store and prevent them from terminating Epic's developer accounts.

December 2020: Apple removed thousands of video game apps from its platform in China

In December 2020, Apple began removing thousands of video game apps from its platform in China. This action was in accordance with regulations regarding licensing enacted by the country's Cyberspace Administration.

September 2021: Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers decided in favor of Apple on nine of ten counts

In September 2021, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers decided in favor of Apple on nine of ten counts, but found against Apple on its anti-steering policies under the California Unfair Competition Law. Rogers prohibited Apple from stopping developers from informing users of other payment systems within apps.

September 16, 2021: Apple removed the Smart Voting app from the App Store before the Russian legislative election

On September 16, 2021, Apple removed the Smart Voting app from the App Store before the 2021 Russian legislative election, following a meeting with Russian Federation Council officials. The app was created by associates of Alexei Navalny and offered voting advice.

August 2023: Apple removed AI-related apps at the request of the Chinese government

In August 2023, Apple removed more than 100 AI-related apps similar to ChatGPT from the Chinese app store at the request of the Chinese government.

September 2023: New apps on the China app store require a license

According to the regulations of the Chinese government, as of September 2023, new apps on the China app store must be licensed by the Chinese government.

March 2024: Older apps on the China app store require a license

According to the regulations of the Chinese government, older apps on the China app store must obtain a license before March 2024.

2024: Apple took down more VPN apps from the Russian App Store

In 2024, Russian regulator Roskomnadzor asked Apple to take down 25 VPN apps from the Russian App Store, but Apple quietly took down more than requested.

April 2025: Rogers found for Epic that Apple had willfully violated her injunction

In April 2025, Rogers found for Epic that Apple had willfully violated her injunction, placing further restrictions on Apple including banning them from collecting revenue shares from non-Apple payment methods or imposing any restrictions on links to such alternative payment options.