Getting maintenance that keeps the app in the stores
Keep your app in Google Play and Apple App Store with regular maintenance. Learn what to demand from your developer and how to book the right service.
Your app won't stay in Google Play or the Apple App Store on its own — the moment you stop maintaining it, you're on borrowed time. Store policies demand regular updates, security patches and compatibility fixes, and apps that fall behind get delisted. If that sounds urgent, it is, but it's also manageable once you know what you're actually paying for.
Most app owners think maintenance is a nice-to-have. It's not. Every time Apple releases iOS or Google releases Android, your app's code sits in an environment it wasn't built for. Bugs appear. Users complain. Then the store algorithms bury your listing. Meanwhile, security vulnerabilities open doors to data theft. Staying in the stores isn't about luck; it's about someone keeping up with the cycle.
The cycle every app must follow
OS releases happen multiple times a year. Each one changes how apps behave, what permissions exist, which APIs are deprecated and what the store requires. A developer needs to test your app against each new OS, fix what breaks, and push updates before users flood you with one-star reviews. This isn't a one-time project — it's ongoing work. Without it, your app becomes invisible or, worse, untrustworthy to new users.
The other half of staying live is security. Your app collects data, connects to servers and runs on millions of devices. Threats evolve constantly. Libraries your app relies on get patched. Compliance rules shift. If your developer isn't monitoring these changes and applying fixes, you're exposed — and the App Store and Google Play both flag neglected apps.
What "maintenance that keeps the app in the stores" really means
This isn't just bug fixes when things break. It's proactive work: monitoring OS updates from Apple and Google, testing your app against them, updating dependencies, refreshing security certificates, and handling the store submission process. It means someone is paying attention so you don't have to. A good maintenance relationship includes clear timelines — usually pushing updates within weeks of major OS releases, not months later.
You'll also need someone to handle store policy changes. Apple and Google update their guidelines regularly, and apps that don't comply get rejected or removed. Your developer needs to understand these rules and keep your app aligned. This is tedious, detail-oriented work, but it directly affects whether your app stays visible and available.
Finding someone who takes this seriously
When you're looking for a maintenance partner, ask specifically how they track OS updates and what their update schedule looks like. Do they proactively test your app, or only react when users report crashes? Ask for their security update process — what triggers an emergency patch, and how quickly can they deploy it? Ask how many apps they maintain simultaneously; if they're juggling hundreds, your app will slip.
Verify they can handle both platforms or have clear partnerships if they specialise in one. Check whether they have experience with the specific app ecosystem your app lives in — if it's gaming, fintech or health, that experience matters because the rules and pressures are different.
Get a written agreement that names specific response times for critical issues and OS updates. Vague promises don't keep apps in stores; timelines do. It's also worth understanding their testing approach — do they use real devices and emulators, or just automated checks? Real-world testing catches problems that automation misses.
Booking the right fit
Start with a small scope to test the relationship. Ask them to handle the next OS update cycle as a trial, or commit to quarterly updates for three months. This tells you whether they communicate clearly, hit deadlines and actually prevent store issues. If they do, you can move to a longer agreement with confidence.
When you're ready to hire, use Strove to find verified app developers with specific maintenance expertise. You can review their track record, compare what they're offering and ask them directly about their approach to keeping apps store-ready. Real examples from their other clients matter more than promises.
Common questions
- What happens if I don't maintain my app?
- Your app will eventually fall out of sync with new OS versions, causing crashes or incompatibility issues. Both Google Play and the Apple App Store will delist apps that don't update regularly or fail security standards. Once delisted, attracting new users becomes nearly impossible.
- How often does my app need updates to stay in the stores?
- At minimum, you should push updates within a few weeks of major OS releases from Apple and Google, which happen multiple times a year. Security patches may require faster turnaround depending on the severity. A good maintenance partner will set clear timelines with you.
- Can I use a developer who didn't originally build my app?
- Yes, but they need to understand your app's code and architecture quickly. Ask them how they'll review the existing codebase and whether they've successfully taken over other apps before. This matters because poor handover often leads to missed updates.
- What should I include in a maintenance agreement?
- Include response times for critical issues, a schedule for OS update testing and deployment, security update protocols, and clarity on which platforms are covered. Define what "maintenance" includes so there's no misunderstanding about scope and costs.
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