Amazon Breaks Apple's App Store Cloud Gaming Rules After Releasing Luna-- Why Is It Allowed On iPhone?

Amazon breaks Apple's App Store guidelines after announcing a new cloud gaming service called Luna. Its 2020 hardware event on Sept. 4 confirmed that Luna will be released on iPhone, which is not too surprising since the new gaming service was already rumored since 2019.

Amazon Luna is Like Google Stadia, But Why Is It Allowed in iPhone? Here's How It Dodges Apple's Cloud Gaming Rules
SANTA MONICA, CA - SEPTEMBER 6: The Amazon logo is projected onto a screen at a press conference on September 6, 2012 in Santa Monica, California. Amazon unveiled the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Fire HD in 7 and 8.9-inch sizes. Photo by David McNew/Getty Images

There's no confirmation yet when Amazon Luna would launch widely. However, it was stated that the service would be available on the iPhone, PC, Fire TV, and iPad (via web apps). The company also announced that users in the United States could already request early access starting Sept. 24.

Luna is a lot like Google Stadia, which Apple doesn't permit. Amazon's new cloud gaming service was allowed because it is not a traditional application.

What makes it different from other applications is that it will never appear in the App Store, and it doesn't need to. The app is a progressive web app (PWA), a website that users can launch and run separately from the rest of their web browser.

Luna could even appear as an icon on the iPhone's home screen, making it look like a regular app before you tap it.

Why Amazon Luna is exempted from Apple's cloud gaming service guidelines

Amazon Luna is exempted from App Store rules, and Apple itself also confirmed that it is aware of the cloud gaming service on the iPhone. The giant phone manufacturer confirmed this on its updates guidelines.

Amazon Luna is Like Google Stadia, But Why Is It Allowed in iPhone? Here's How It Dodges Apple's Cloud Gaming Rules
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: The Apple logo sits on a sign outside company's Covent Garden store on September 29, 2016 in London, England. Technology company Apple has announced that Battersea Power Station, a Grade II listed building and former coal-fired power station, is to be its new London headquarters by 2021. The building, which has been unoccupied for decades, is currently undergoing a £9 billion restoration. Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images

It was explained that streaming games are allowed as long as they adhere to all guidelines. Here are the following rules;

-Each game update must be submitted for review.

-Developers must provide appropriate metadata for search.

-Games must use in-app purchases to unlock features or functionality.

Apple also added that cloud gaming services "outside" of the App store are permitted.

For more news updates about Amazon Luna and other new cloud gaming services, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

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Written by Giuliano J. de Leon

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