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> 2.5.2 Apps [may not] download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app, including other apps. The rule chan

> 2.5.2 Apps [may not] download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app, including other apps. The rule changed, I think around the time that Swift Playgrounds came out, to add: > Educational apps designed to teach, develop, or allow students to test executable code may, in limited circumstances, download code provided that such code is not used for other purposes. Such apps must make the source code provided by the Application completely viewable and editable by the user. There are probably plenty of apps that do interpret downloaded code (the Frotz app to play old text adventures comes to mind) and fly under the radar. But Apple would surely be on the lookout for any kind of emulator, due to the legal risk.

rlyshw 7y ago
You can run seemingly unrestricted python code on your iOS devices with Pythonista [0]. I'm using it right now to proxy my hotspot connection through my iPhone. Not sure how they're allowed to exist on the app store, but it's been solid for me for a while now. [0] https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pythonista-3/id1085978097 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pythonista-3/id1085978097
- ericlewis 7y ago
  it is categorized as a learning application, but I am quite curious how you made a proxy with it.
  - zakki 7y ago
    I guess he made an app that open a port to let user to connect to it and proxy-ing the request
- tech234a 7y ago
  Pythonista has been featured by Apple several times. As others have pointed out, only pure-Python modules can be used unless they are precompiled and included with the app.
dwheeler 7y ago
There's no legal risk. Microsoft allows people to install emulators on their OS without issue. The issue is that Apple wants a big profit cut on each app. If you were allowed to download & run applications on your own computer, then Apple wouldn't get its cut.
- rgovostes 7y ago
  That may be one factor, but it certainly isn't the only one. There are plenty of remote desktop apps on the App Store. But Steam Link was held up in review because Apple did not want people being able to buy games without getting a cut. Microsoft "allows" people to install emulators in the same sense that Apple "allows" it on macOS, but a quick search confirms that Microsoft does not allow emulators on their app store, nor does Google. (These policies may specifically be for video game emulation, which is mostly what the legal grey area covers.)
  - tyfon 7y ago
    Google play has emulators, here are some examples [1] [2] It even has Bochs [3] Or am I misunderstanding something? [1] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.explusalpha.Snes9xPlus https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.explusalph... [2] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mupen64plusae.v3.fzurita https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mupen64plu... [3] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sourceforge.bochs https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sourceforg...
    - rgovostes 7y ago
      Yeah, could be allowed. I did a fast search and there were records of apps such as SuperRetro16 being kicked out. But I don't know if it's a policy that is poorly enforced, or the removals were for some other reason.
      - mav3rick 7y ago
        One off.
rhodysurf 7y ago
Interpreted code is fine for most cases, but compiling is a big no no. Which is unfortunate and limiting

rlyshw 7y ago

You can run seemingly unrestricted python code on your iOS devices with Pythonista [0]. I'm using it right now to proxy my hotspot connection through my iPhone. Not sure how they're allowed to exist on the app store, but it's been solid for me for a while now. [0] https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pythonista-3/id1085978097 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pythonista-3/id1085978097

ericlewis 7y ago
it is categorized as a learning application, but I am quite curious how you made a proxy with it.
- zakki 7y ago
  I guess he made an app that open a port to let user to connect to it and proxy-ing the request
tech234a 7y ago
Pythonista has been featured by Apple several times. As others have pointed out, only pure-Python modules can be used unless they are precompiled and included with the app.

dwheeler 7y ago

There's no legal risk. Microsoft allows people to install emulators on their OS without issue. The issue is that Apple wants a big profit cut on each app. If you were allowed to download & run applications on your own computer, then Apple wouldn't get its cut.

rgovostes 7y ago
That may be one factor, but it certainly isn't the only one. There are plenty of remote desktop apps on the App Store. But Steam Link was held up in review because Apple did not want people being able to buy games without getting a cut. Microsoft "allows" people to install emulators in the same sense that Apple "allows" it on macOS, but a quick search confirms that Microsoft does not allow emulators on their app store, nor does Google. (These policies may specifically be for video game emulation, which is mostly what the legal grey area covers.)
- tyfon 7y ago
  Google play has emulators, here are some examples [1] [2] It even has Bochs [3] Or am I misunderstanding something? [1] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.explusalpha.Snes9xPlus https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.explusalph... [2] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mupen64plusae.v3.fzurita https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mupen64plu... [3] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sourceforge.bochs https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sourceforg...
  - rgovostes 7y ago
    Yeah, could be allowed. I did a fast search and there were records of apps such as SuperRetro16 being kicked out. But I don't know if it's a policy that is poorly enforced, or the removals were for some other reason.
    - mav3rick 7y ago
      One off.

rhodysurf 7y ago

Interpreted code is fine for most cases, but compiling is a big no no. Which is unfortunate and limiting