Apple Just Added 'Secret' Apps To The App Store

screenrant.com:

Apple has started adding unlisted apps on the App Store that are only be accessible via a direct link. The App Store has more than a million apps of all descriptions, including games, streaming services, social media platforms, productivity suites, photography apps, and more. While most of them are publicly-listed and are available for all users, the latest provision will now make for 'secret' apps that are only available to a select few.

Apple opened the App Store in 2008 with a mere 500 apps before expanding it exponentially over the next decade. The total number of apps hit a high of 2.2 million a few years ago but Apple has since removed thousands of 32-bit applications and other apps that do not follow the App Store guidelines. While the App Store system has come under fire from various sectors over the years, it remains one of the most successful business models, and one that's been replicated by many companies, including Google, Samsung, Huawei, and more.

Related: The Best App Store Apps And Games Of 2021, According To Apple

Apple announced that its App Store has added support for unlisted apps that can only be accessed via direct links. In a post on its developer website, the company said that the new provision will help developers release apps that aren’t suited for public distribution. The new apps won't appear in any App Store categories, nor will they be part of any «recommendations, charts, search results, or other listings.» However, the apps will be accessible through Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager, allowing businesses and educational institutions to distribute in-house apps that only their authorized employees, faculty, and students can use. The new option will be available in all regions