Apple and Android regularly update their Operating System (OS), policies and guidelines to take into account new devices, functionality and security. AT Creative’s Support and Maintenance Agreement (SMA) ensure your app remains complaint.

When your app is first published it will have passed a rigorous review process to ensure it is compliant with Apple and Google’s guidelines. However, this is a constantly changing landscape and if your app is not kept up-to-date, such as to meet the latest security policies, your app(s) can be ‘removed from sale’ (this applies to free apps as well as paid ones).

Apple and Google notify app developers via email if there is an issue. The email will detail how the app is (or will) violate guidelines and provide a timeframe to implement an appropriate fix.

Furthermore, Apple and Google’s changes can also affect your app’s:

  • Functional performance
  • User Interface (UI)

Every time an app needs an update to remedy these issues the app developer needs to implement the relevant code (which could be anything from one line to thousands) and prepare the app to be submitted for review by Apple and Google. This takes time.

Developers cannot generally predict what changes Apple and Google will make. For some security notices we may only be given 30 days to comply. However, each year when Apple, for example, release their new OS, app developers have early (beta) access to the updates that allows us to assess, and prepare for, potential impacts (even though the beta OS continues to evolve right up to the release).

Peace of mind

AT Creative customer’s receive 12 months SMA as part of the initial development costs (thereafter paid annually as an opt-in scheme). This becomes active as soon as your app has been approved for sale by Google/Apple. Our SMA ensures that your app(s) will continue to look and function in the same way when released into the relevant app market place, subject to any new constraints that have been instigated by Apple/Google.

  • An example of a User Interface bug would be if the layout of a page in the app is detrimentally affected, in comparison to how it looked when signed off.
  • An example of a functional performance bug could be if a button no longer opened the associated page when tapped.

During August each year we assess the upcoming OS update. As a SMA customer we will implement any optimisation changes required to ensure your app(s) continue to operate as expected and meet all ‘background’ guidelines. As part of any work under the SMA your app will also be updated to our latest app platform’s codebase, which often includes new features. We generally submit minor updates without informing. For major ones we may ask you to test the app(s) to ensure it still performs as you expect.

Please note: Functional or User Interface change requests for your app that are not the result of an OS update bug or policy are not included as part of our standard SMA.

Content changes

Content updates/additions do not require the app to be resubmitted for review by Apple/Google. These can be made via the Content Management System (CMS) at any time. Once you hit save the updates are live. When users next open their app (and they have Internet connectivity) the user will be notified to download the new content updates. Access to the CMS is exclusive to SMA customers and is included in the cost of the SMA.

Reporting an issue with your app

If you identify a functional or UI problem with your app please report it by email, providing as much information as possible, to include:

  • Details of problem (provide screenshots if possible)
  • Make(s) and model(s) of devices affected (where known)
  • Operating System version (found in the device’s Settings app)

Following receipt of this information we will investigate the issue(s) and report back. If work is required, and you are a current SMA customer, we will undertake this and provide a new beta version of the app within 10 working days. To submit a new app it must support the latest software. This ensures the app is optimised for the latest devices, and incorporates the latest improvements. If your app needs updating we will confirm what changes have been done in this respect.

Out of date apps

If your app is no longer covered by AT Creative’s SMA it will eventually violate Apple/Google’s guidelines (generally within in two years). You can pay for updates on an adhoc basis after the expiry of your SMA. In this instance, and if your app is hosted on our developer accounts, we will notify you by email – using the email address(es) we have on record – within 72 hours to explain what is required and the cost.

Overall, SMA customers will pay less per annum than non-SMA clients and have less admin.

This page was last updated on 24th December 2024.