Apple blocks UTM, a generic PC emulator for iPhones, iPads

App Review has rejected a submission from the developers of UTM, a generic PC system emulator for iPhone and iPad, reports MJTSIA.

The article says the open source app was submitted to the store, given the recent rule change that allows retro game console emulators, like Delta or Folium. App Review rejected UTM, deciding that a “PC is not a console.” UTM adds that Apple is also blocking the app from being listed in third-party app stores in the European Union.

As written in the App Review Guidelines, Rule 4.7 covers “mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins and game emulators”.

UTM says Apple refused to notarize the app because of the violation of rule 4.7, as that is included in Notarization Review Guidelines. However, the App Review Guidelines page disagrees. It does not annotate rule 4.7 as being part of the Notarization Review Guidelines. Indeed, if you select the “Show Notarization Review Guidelines Only” toggle, rule 4.7 is greyed out as not being applicable.