Apple tightens control as Cal AI crackdown highlights App Store enforcement

Apple has reinforced its App Store enforcement policies following a recent crackdown on the Cal AI food-logging application, underscoring that the company continues to strictly regulate the use of external payment systems and developer compliance. The calorie-tracking app, which was temporarily removed from the App Store last week, was found to have violated Apple’s guidelines related to in-app purchases and user interface design, according to Apple’s comments.

The app, which MyFitnessPal owns, has since resolved the issues that led to its removal and has been reinstated on the App Store.

The removal of Cal AI sparked widespread discussion on social media, with some initially speculating that Apple had taken action solely because the app used external web-based payment systems instead of Apple’s in-app purchase mechanism. However, Apple clarified that the decision was based on multiple violations of its App Store rules. Cal AI was originally developed by two high school students and reportedly scaled to $50 million in annual recurring revenue before being acquired by MyFitnessPal in March.

Following the Apple-Epic Games legal ruling, Apple now allows U.S. developers to link to external payment systems. However, most apps are still required to offer Apple’s in-app purchase system alongside any third-party payment option. Exceptions are typically limited to “reader” apps, such as those providing access to digital media subscriptions, which Cal AI does not qualify as.

According to Apple, the app violated multiple guidelines, including bypassing Apple’s in-app purchase flow by integrating third-party payment processing through Stripe for digital goods. This approach removed Apple’s own in-app purchase option during checkout, violating App Store Guideline 3.1.1.

Apple also stated that Cal AI engaged in misleading billing practices under Guideline 3.1.2c. The company said the app’s paywall design emphasised weekly pricing in a way that could mislead users about actual subscription costs, while also presenting a free-trial toggle that obscured the automatic renewal terms.

In addition, Apple cited violations of its Developer Code of Conduct, specifically guideline 5.6, which relates to manipulative user practices. The company noted that users who declined an initial subscription offer were presented with alternative subscription flows, which contributed to confusion. The app also received negative reviews, accusing it of deceptive payment practices.

Apple confirmed that after addressing these issues, Cal AI was approved to return to the App Store.

The incident underscores Apple’s continued enforcement of App Store policies, even after legal changes have relaxed certain restrictions around external payments. It also signals that the company is prepared to take action against high-profile apps, even those ranking highly in App Store charts, to maintain compliance with its platform rules.