Apple Removes Cal AI from App Store Over Billing Tactics

Apple has reinforced its strict oversight of the App Store following the brief removal of Cal AI, a popular calorie-tracking application now owned by MyFitnessPal. The incident serves as a clear signal that, despite legal shifts regarding external payment links, the tech giant continues to aggressively enforce its guidelines against deceptive billing and policy circumvention.

The app, which gained significant traction after being founded by two high school students and reaching $50 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) before its acquisition in March, was pulled from the marketplace last week. Following adjustments made by the developer to comply with App Store standards, the application has since been reinstated.

Enforcement of Payment Rules

Initial speculation suggested the removal might have been linked to the use of web-based payment systems. While Apple’s current guidelines allow U.S. developers to provide links to external payment methods following the Epic Games litigation, these must coexist with Apple’s own In-App Purchase (IAP) system for most apps.

Apple confirmed that Cal AI was removed for multiple violations, specifically:

• Bypassing IAP: The app utilized an embedded third-party payment flow (Stripe) to unlock digital goods while completely removing the mandatory Apple IAP option.
• Deceptive Billing: Under Guideline 3.1.2c, the app’s paywall was flagged for misleading users by prioritizing weekly price breakdowns over actual billing amounts and obscuring automatic renewal disclosures.
• Manipulative Conduct: The app violated the Developer Code of Conduct by repeatedly pushing secondary subscription flows after users declined the initial offer.

A Warning to Developers

The removal of Cal AI—which currently holds the No. 4 spot on the App Store’s Health & Fitness charts—highlights Apple’s commitment to maintaining its ecosystem rules. The company faced scrutiny due to numerous negative user reviews labeling the app a “scam” regarding its payment presentation, prompting a swift review.

While the Cal AI team and MyFitnessPal did not provide comment on the matter, the developer ultimately addressed the flagged issues to regain access to the store. The episode demonstrates that Apple remains vigilant in policing how third-party services integrate external links, ensuring that such implementations do not compromise user transparency or store integrity.