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dgellowyesterday at 9:09 AM3 repliesview on HN

> the usefulness of the app is limited because it seems to be intended for a small, or niche, set of users. Specifically, the app is intended for invited friends only.

Isn’t it insane that Apple refuses for an app to be listed on the App Store if it is intended to be niche? If true that’s pretty shocking


Replies

avianlyricyesterday at 10:51 AM

It’s always been true. If you want to build a limited distribution app Apple has mechanisms for private distribution which is used by companies for internal apps etc

They don’t want the App Store filled with app that can’t be used by the vast majority of people that might see and download it.

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Havocyesterday at 11:04 AM

It’s likely more the exclusionary nature rather than niche per se that was the challenge

Then again presumably there are plenty of organization specific apps that are also decidedly exclusionary

lopisyesterday at 11:57 AM

So you can't sideload apps on iOS, installing your own apps in dev mode is unnecessarily hard and restricted, and you can't release an app in the app store that is not open to the general public? So if I want to build an app just for my family, what do I do?

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