App Store Connect changes 2026
Apple updated developer tools. New TestFlight features, AI-powered review insights, alternative store distribution flow.
App Store Connect is the dashboard developers use. Apple shipped major updates in 2025-2026:
- TestFlight 2.0 — public testing links don't expire, larger file sizes (4GB), better crash reporting integration.
- Review insights — Apple's AI gives a pre-review report on potential rejection issues. Catches 60-70% of issues before submission.
- EU alternative distribution — separate dashboard for distributing through alt stores like AltStore PAL. Different rules apply.
- Phased Release improvements — granular control over rollout percentage, automatic pause on crash spike.
- Privacy Manifests — required since 2024, now actively enforced. Missing or wrong manifest = rejection.
Most teams haven't updated their submission process since 2022. Worth a refresh.