Apple has announced that it now accepts apps that have been updated for the iPhone Duo, even if that still means going through the ever-changing App Store review.
Users will likely have to rush to get an iPhone Duo order when pre-orders begin, but developers have a different target date. They’re looking to get their apps to the App Store for October 23, 2026, the day the iPhone Duo hits buyers’ hands.
All apps will surely be tweaked and updated eventually to take advantage of the new iPhone’s foldable screen, but there’s an advantage to being there first. There may never again be as much focus on iPhone Duo apps as there was on day one.
So it’s significant that Apple has now informed developers that they can submit their new or updated apps for App Store review. App Store review isn’t always the fastest and it isn’t always the best, but it’s the process that all developers must follow.
Specifically, Apple is now telling developers that they can recompile their apps in Xcode 27.1, “which adds development support for iPhone Duo.” Then they can use the app’s Device Hub to see how their work will look on the new device.
Subsequently, if a developer submits a new version for iPhone Duo, they are required to update their screenshots and app preview specifications.
Significantly, though, this announcement includes a detail that hasn’t been specified before. Apple says that starting “April 2027, any app or game submission must include iPhone Duo screenshots.”
Keep in mind that while October 23rd is the day the iPhone Duo will be in stores and shipping to buyers, pre-orders will begin on October 16th. And now Apple has also announced that there is some sort of pre-order feature that will be available from October 12th.
