Apple Pulls iFixit App From App Store Following Teardown of New Apple TV

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Posted September 30, 2015 at 10:10pm by Shalom Levytam

Apple has pulled the iFixit app from the App Store following the company's teardown of the new Apple TV.

Not too long ago, we tore down the Apple TV and Siri Remote. The developer unit we disassembled was sent to us by Apple. Evidently, they didn’t intend for us to take it apart. But we’re a teardown and repair company; teardowns are in our DNA—and nothing makes us happier than figuring out what makes these gadgets tick. We weighed the risks, blithely tossed those risks over our shoulder, and tore down the Apple TV anyway.

A few days later, we got an email from Apple informing us that we violated their terms and conditions—and the offending developer account had been banned. Unfortunately, iFixit’s app was tied to that same account, so Apple pulled the app as well. Their justification was that we had taken “actions that may hinder the performance or intended use of the App Store, B2B Program, or the Program.”

To deal with the absence of their iOS app, iFixit has made improvements to their mobile site.

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Apple Pulls iFixit App From App Store Following Teardown of New Apple TV

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King Rollo - October 1, 2015 at 7:09am

They broke the developer program trust, they agreed the terms and broke them. What did they expect, it's foolish to think you can make agreements and then break them without any comeback. They are lucky Apple didn't take a lawsuit against them. I would have! iFixit clearly are fishing for sympathy they have none from me!

Apple god - October 1, 2015 at 3:42am

They deserve it apple I mean

gamerscul9870 - October 1, 2015 at 3:13am

This is what iFixit gets for posting a product that is not released yet. At least we all have the desktop site to begin with. Tim is doing his job and promises.

Techno - October 1, 2015 at 2:00am

When you divulge information about a product before its release time, you compromise the integrity of the company. These actions create questions not intended for others or competition know how's. It was right for Apple to do what they did. It's the same rules applies when you work in a professional business or service oriented work, especially in health care.

gamerscul9870 - October 1, 2015 at 1:52am

You do realize iFixit buys the products like they mentioned in their teardowns where and when they have a chance to get it. Why would apple send products to a company only to remove their app. That's just rip off business. Where in your right mind would assume such myth!

Ken - October 1, 2015 at 4:54am

Apple sent them a developer unit; iFixit just happens to be tied to that same developer account but they were never supposed to get s hold of the unit to take it apart.

Steve1234 - October 1, 2015 at 12:18am

They tore down an unreleased product they got via the Developer Program, which has rules about disclosing unreleased product information. I can understand why Apple is mad.

odedoo1 - September 30, 2015 at 10:58pm

Just lIke Apple they want to control everything and touching iFixit is wrong no matter how you look at it!!!

gamerscul9870 - September 30, 2015 at 11:55pm

Would they control what beats does after they stayed the same since being acquired? Would they control the tv's Apple TV is hooked onto? Would they control out privacy that they always leave it as us to deal with? Would they control out mobile wallets with apple pay to steal our money? Do they even try to control our devices their way?

Za - September 30, 2015 at 10:44pm

Doesn't Apple own iFixit? And, wouldn't Apple expect iFixit to do what they've always done? Someone at Apple needs to think, and communicate better.

gamerscul9870 - September 30, 2015 at 10:48pm

Apple owns beats and beats still makes products their way. It's the same case with iFixit how they do what they want with the app, maybe apple is taking it down to revamp it or to talk iFixit into what to add next, or anything like that. It's just my guess but it was some sort of deal whatever it was.

AppleGuy299 - September 30, 2015 at 10:22pm

iC: the last paragraph doesn't make any sense. They cannot improve their mobile app if it was pulled from the App Store.

SayingWhatEveryonesThinking - September 30, 2015 at 10:41pm

They meant mobile site, pretty sure.

iClarified - September 30, 2015 at 11:31pm

yes, thanks.