The Anomalous Update Phenomenon
Users observing this event report that applications which previously displayed their respective developer's name alongside updates suddenly showed "Apple Inc." or a similar designation as the source of a new version. This update action occurs without any visible CFBundleShortVersionString increment from the developer, and often without new release notes attributable to the app's original creators. The observed applications span various categories and developers, suggesting a systemic cause rather than isolated developer action or a localized bug within a single application.
The standard iOS application update process involves a developer submitting a new build (IPA file) to App Store Connect. This build typically contains an incremented CFBundleVersion and CFBundleShortVersionString within its Info.plist file. After Apple's review, the new version becomes available on the App Store. The appstored daemon on the user's device periodically checks Apple's App Store APIs for available updates, comparing the installed application's version and metadata against the latest information. Upon detection of a new version, the App Store application presents the update, displaying the developer's
Originally published in Spanish at www.mgatc.com/blog/some-iphone-apps-receive-mysterious-update-from-apple/