Apple is aggressively enforcing App Review Guideline 2.5.2, prohibiting apps from downloading/executing code that alters functionality post-review, leading to rejections and removals of vibe coding apps like Replit, Vibecode, and Anything (removed March 30, briefly returned April 3, removed again by April 6, 2026).[1][2][3][7] Apple integrates vibe coding in Xcode for developers but blocks apps generating unreviewable code on-device, citing security, malware, and privacy risks; it processes 90% of 200,000+ weekly submissions in 1.5 days on average.[1][3] Involved parties include Apple, AI firms (Anthropic, Replit, Anything), and analysts (Sensor Tower, The Information).
The trend stems from maturing LLMs like Claude Opus 4.5 in late 2025, lowering barriers for non-coders to build via "vibe" prompts without reviewing output.[1][5][6] Newsworthy now as Q1 2026 data confirms the boom's scale, Apple's mid-March 2026 enforcement escalates (e.g., blocking updates), and removals like Anything's highlight tensions between innovation and App Store control amid record submission volumes.[1][2][3][7]