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Español ASO News Digest: October 2024
This ASO News Digest is our way of staying updated on the latest changes in the mobile app market over the past month. Every update and change in the main app stores can affect ASO tactics and strategies. Here, you’ll find the latest updates from October 2024 for the App Store and Google Play.
App Store ASO News Highlights
Apple has announced the Swift Student Challenge 2025, offering an excellent opportunity for budding developers to showcase their programming skills and creativity by building playgrounds on Swift. The challenge will open for submissions in February 2025 and will last three weeks. Apple will select 350 winners whose projects stand out for innovation, creativity, social impact, or inclusivity. Among them, 50 outstanding winners will be invited to Cupertino for a three-day experience, including meetings with Apple experts and engineers, networking, and unique experiences.
All winners will receive a one-year membership to the Apple Developer Program, a special gift from Apple, and other perks. To help participants prepare, Apple is launching new resources for learning programming, including Swift Coding Clubs, where students can develop skills, find like-minded people, and prepare for the challenge.
Apple is changing the Certification Authority (CA) for the Apple Push Notification service (APNs). Server certificates for APNs will be updated in both sandbox and production environments in early 2025. Developers using APNs need to update their app’s Trust Store by adding the new server certificate: SHA-2 Root: USERTrust RSA Certification Authority. Ensure both the old and new server certificates are included in your app's Trust Store on all servers that connect to sandbox and production to avoid any issues with push notification delivery.
Starting today, to submit app updates in the App Store within the EU, account holders or administrators in the Apple Developer Program must indicate their trader status in App Store Connect. If you’re a trader, you need to provide this information before submitting the app for review. Beginning in February 2025, apps without trader status information will be removed from the EU App Store until trader information is provided and verified according to the Digital Services Act requirements.
The Apple Developer Program License Agreement and its Appendices 1, 2, and 3 have been updated to support new policies and upcoming features. Please review these changes and accept the updated terms in your account. Apple Services Pte. Ltd. now serves as the Apple legal entity responsible for the marketing and distribution of Licensed and Custom Apps for end-users in certain regions.
The beta versions of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS 15.2 are now available. Ensure your apps run smoothly on these versions, and use Xcode 16.2 beta to leverage new SDK features. As announced earlier this year, changes for EU users in iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 include browser choice, default app settings, and app deletion options. Safari now supports user data export, while web browsers can import this data.
TestFlight beta testing has become even more convenient with new improvements:
- Updated Invitations: TestFlight invitations now include a description of your beta app to highlight new features and content for potential testers. Approved apps and games can also add screenshots and app categories to the invitation. There’s also a new feature for users to leave feedback if they decide not to join your beta, helping you understand their reasons.
- Tester Registration Criteria: You can now set criteria like device type and OS version to filter qualified testers through a public link, ensuring more relevant feedback.
- Public Link Metrics: New metrics show how well your public link attracts testers, including how many viewed and accepted your invitation. If you set criteria, you can also see how many testers didn’t meet them.
To improve security and privacy on Apple platforms, the App Store receipt signing certificate will be updated to use SHA-256 encryption. This certificate is used to sign App Store receipts, which prove app purchases and in-app purchases.
ASO Specialist Tip
- Following the iOS 18.2 beta release, Apple Intelligence suggests summarizing text and notifications, potentially in the App Store. Soon, you might see a summary of user reviews before downloading an app. This feature is already present in a competitor’s store, so it's an expected step. However, how Apple will implement it is still unknown.
Google Play ASO News Highlights
Google is launching experimental access to Gemini Nano, a new AI model that runs directly on Android devices. Initially available on the Pixel 9 series, it will soon expand to other devices. Gemini Nano enables AI tasks without internet, preserving data privacy and reducing costs.
Core Features of Gemini Nano
- Text Rephrasing
- Smart Reply in Chats
- Error Correction
- Text Summarization
Developers can use the AI Edge SDK to integrate the model into their apps and fine-tune output settings.
Define the Goal: Choose the purpose of your AI—image classification or text processing, for example. A clear goal will guide the development process.
Select Tools: For common tasks, use MediaPipe Tasks (gesture recognition, image segmentation, etc.). For a unique model, use LiteRT (formerly TensorFlow Lite) for on-device creation and optimization.
Optimize and Deploy: LiteRT speeds up models on GPU and NPU, ideal for mobile AI tasks. AI Edge SDK controls output settings for accurate results.
Test and Rollout: Test the model on various devices and release it to ensure a stable user experience.
As part of Adaptive Spotlight Week, Google introduced updates to help developers adapt Android apps for a range of devices—from foldable phones and tablets to ChromeOS and cars. Google urges developers to create adaptive interfaces that enhance usability on various screen types.
Accelerating Innovation: Two Releases with New APIs for Developers in 2025
Android continues to improve its platform by introducing two releases with new APIs in 2025. The main release in Q2 will add new APIs and may include changes affecting app behavior. The secondary release in Q4 will also include new APIs but without behavior changes that require additional compatibility testing.
At the annual Playtime event, Google introduced updates to help developers expand their audience, boost revenue, and protect their apps. This year, Google focused on adapting video content and enhancing recommendations for users.
- Enhanced Content Formats: Vertical videos on app pages now display in full screen, increasing user engagement and conversions. Google data shows a 7% increase in total video view time, a 9% increase in completed views, and a 5% increase in conversions.
- Personalized Recommendations: Personalized recommendations now appear in the Play Store search bar, tailored to user interests.
- Interest Filters: Users can choose multiple interests to get more accurate recommendations for apps and games matching their preferences.
- Expanded Payment Options: Google Play now supports over 300 local payment methods in more than 65 countries.
- In-App Purchase Suggestions: A new algorithm suggests relevant in-app purchases to users, increasing transaction chances. Early results show an average 3% increase in spending.
- Abandoned Cart Reminders: If a user views a product but doesn’t complete the purchase, Play Store reminds them during their next visit to encourage completion.
- Biometric Authentication: Users can confirm purchases with biometric data, such as fingerprints or face recognition, making checkout faster and easier.
- API Play Integrity: To protect apps from fraud, the API Play Integrity helps developers detect and respond to potential threats.
These updates are aimed at improving user experience, increasing developer revenue, and ensuring the security of the Google Play ecosystem.
ASO Specialist Tip
- New Google Play Console interface—some lucky users have access to it, while others still have the old interface back.
Stay up-to-date and reach success! 💙
