The rise of AI-assisted app development is reportedly putting increasing pressure on Apple’s App Store review process, with some developers claiming they are waiting weeks for their apps to be approved.
According to Business Insider, the growing popularity of so-called “vibe coding”—using artificial intelligence tools to generate and build apps with minimal manual coding—is leading to a surge in App Store submissions as more developers bring new apps to market.
Data from Sensor Tower, cited by Business Insider, shows the number of new iOS apps released in the United States increased by nearly 55% year over year in January, following a 56% increase in December. The publication says the spike coincides with the widespread adoption of AI-powered coding tools, making app development more accessible than ever before.
Some developers claim the increase in submissions is affecting App Store review times. One developer told Business Insider they had been waiting around six weeks for their app to be approved, while updates to existing apps were taking anywhere from two days to a week. Similar concerns have also been raised by developers on Reddit, with some suggesting Apple may eventually tighten its review process to help filter out lower-quality AI-generated apps.
Apple, however, disputes the suggestion that review times have significantly increased. The company told Business Insider that 90% of App Store submissions are still reviewed within 48 hours, adding that it has processed more than 200,000 app submissions each week over the past three months. Apple said the average review time currently stands at around 1.5 days.
While Apple’s existing review process continues to handle the vast majority of submissions quickly, analysts believe the rapid growth of AI-generated software could present longer-term challenges. As AI tools make it easier for individuals to create apps, the volume of submissions is expected to continue increasing, potentially requiring Apple to rethink how it reviews and manages software submitted to the App Store.
Apple has not announced any changes to its App Store review policies, and it remains unclear whether the recent increase in AI-generated apps will lead to adjustments in the approval process.