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The rapid spread of AI tools that let users create software through natural language is putting Apple in a difficult position. Supporters of the App Store argue for protecting its standards, while startups say AI-assisted development is lowering technical barriers and should be treated consistently under App Store rules.
In recent tech circles, the term “Vibe Coding” has gained traction. Instead of writing code in languages such as Python, JavaScript, or Swift, users describe what they want in natural language. AI agents then generate, run, and test the code.
Sensor Tower data cited in the article shows that the number of iOS apps released globally in 2025 rose 30% compared with the prior year, suggesting faster market entry as AI assistance reduces development friction.
Despite the growth in new apps, the article says Apple is presenting a “solid wall” for AI-assisted coding tools. Several startups have publicly criticized Apple for applying App Store rules inconsistently and opaquely to apps that use AI to generate or assist with code.
Replit, a unicorn valued at $9 billion and backed by Andreessen Horowitz, is cited as an example. The company says Apple is blocking updates to its iPhone app.
Anything founder Dhruv Amin is also quoted saying the company’s app has been blocked multiple times and even removed after approval. Amin told the Financial Times that “we are being pushed into the shadows,” adding that Apple should either stop enforcing “quirky rules” or update guidelines to allow these “model-based tools” to exist.
The core dispute involves an App Store rule stating that apps cannot download or install executable code that changes app functionality. Apple’s position, as described in the article, is that the restriction is meant to prevent unvetted software from running on iPhone, which could pose privacy and security risks.
Startups argue that Apple is treating AI-assisted software previews as if they were distributing malware.
The article also highlights a perceived contradiction: Apple is said to be embracing comparable technology within its own developer ecosystem. In February, Apple updated its Xcode developer tools by integrating AI agents from Anthropic and OpenAI.
David George, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, is quoted saying Apple’s slowing of “Vibe Coding” apps—framed as security—could curb innovation and competition. He argues that selective, precise enforcement would be preferable to outright bans.
The article notes that some leading firms in the space, including Lovable and Cursor, have not yet launched iOS apps. It attributes this caution to the more open ecosystem on Mac compared with tighter iPhone controls.
Arena CEO Anastasios Angelopoulos is quoted saying the industry is seeing a surge in “Vibe Coding” driven by AI agents that can write and run code extremely quickly. With a low barrier to building an app, he says the volume of software entering Apple’s validation queue is likely to increase.
The confrontation is described as more than technical, framing it as a contest over economic power. The article says that relaxing controls could undermine the App Store’s perceived safety—described as the “golden goose” of revenue—while maintaining strict restrictions could make the platform an obstacle to AI-era innovation.
As investors await a resolution from Cupertino, startups continue to navigate what the article characterizes as a complex set of controls, where the line between security and constraint can be difficult to define.
Source: Financial Times, The Verge
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