FB13205904: Apps should not be offloaded if they have app extensions that are in use

[sindresorhus]

• Date: 2023-09-26
• Resolution: Open
• Area: App Store
• OS: iOS 17
• Type: Incorrect/Unexpected Behavior

Description

If a user has the “Offload unused apps” setting enabled, apps are unloaded because they are not launched very often even though the app has app extensions that are actively used. For example, I’m the creator of the Actions app (1586435171) and the app itself it not launched very often, but the Shortcuts actions the app provides are used all the time. When the app is automatically offloaded for lack use, the shortcuts the user uses the Actions app actions in becomes non-working. This is not a good user experience. This may also apply to apps that provide widgets where the main app is not launched very often.

I recommend not offloading apps where the app has shortcut actions that are used by a shortcut in the Shortcuts app.

I haven’t experienced this myself as I don’t offload apps, but I have many reports about this from users.

Here’s a report about this: https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/16rq94o/comment/k24lp3d/