Apple has taken action against the iPhone application "Anything," a tool that facilitated so-called "vibe coding." The app, which previously boasted about being "the fastest way to build apps," is no longer available on the App Store.

Enforcement Action and Guideline Cited

The removal stems from repeated violations of App Store Guideline 2.5.2. This specific rule dictates that applications must be self-contained within their bundles.

The 'Self-Contained' Rule Explained

The guideline strictly states that apps "may not read or write data outside the designated container area, nor may they download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app, including other apps." This suggests that generating or modifying other applications on the iPhone violates the requirement for an app to be entirely self-contained.

Impact on Vibe Coding Applications

Vibe coding apps utilize large language models, such as those powering Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s Codex, to assist users without traditional coding skills in generating applications. Theoretically, these apps allow for creation, usage, and debugging directly on the user's phone without needing a computer.

Developer Response and Escalation Concerns

Dhruv Amin, the CEO and co-founder of Anything, informed The Information about the situation. He noted that apps created using Anything have been deployed on the App Store for tasks like managing emergency workers or tracking gig worker expenses.

Amin stated that his team attempted to submit an update allowing app debugging within a browser window. However, this update was rejected, leading directly to the app's subsequent removal from the App Store.

Apple's Stance on Moderation

This action is being viewed by some as an escalation against the entire category of vibe coding apps. However, Apple's previous enforcement actions cited the same rule, explaining the removals were not targeting vibe coding specifically.

Instead, Apple reportedly views these actions as necessary against apps that change their functionality in ways that prevent Apple from adequate moderation. Gizmodo sought comment from Apple regarding the removal of Anything but had not received a response at the time of reporting.