Apple just made my app obsolete (again)

In this video I discover Apple's new iOS 18 calculator now includes currency conversion... making my own currency app obsolete. I explore why some utility apps still thrive despite built-in OS features and confront the flaws in my app business model Follow my journey here: Website: https://adamlyttleapps.com Twitter: https://x.com/adamlyttleapps Github: https://github.com/adamlyttleapps Instagram: https://instagram.com/adamlyttleapps TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@adamlyttleapps Substack: https://adamlyttleapps.substack.com Apps by Adam Lyttle is the personal journey of an indie app developer, sharing valuable lessons and experiences to help fellow developers succeed in the competitive app market My channel is based on one simple premise: "A rising tide lifts all boats" — I share my experience, teach what I've learned and highlight the mistakes I've made along the way. Featured in this video: * Macbook Pro M3 with 34GB RAM & 1TB HDD * Macbook Pro M1 with 8GB RAM & 256GB HDD * Mouse: Logitech MX Master S3 * Keyboard: Logitech MX Keys * Microphone: Shure 7 * iPhone 15 Pro * iPhone 12 Mini * LEGO DUPLO: My First Duck 30327 iOS 18 Shakes Up the App Store: An Indie Developer's Journey Through Uncertainty As an indie developer and solopreneur, building in public has always been my approach to app development. Today, I'm sharing a challenge that many of us in the SwiftUI and iOS development community are facing: the impact of iOS 18 on our apps. The latest update to Apple's operating system has introduced a new feature to the built-in calculator app - currency conversion. For someone like me, who has a currency conversion app in the App Store, this news initially felt like a death knell for my product. This isn't the first time Apple has integrated features that compete with indie apps. Previously, when iOS introduced body measurement tracking in their Health app, I feared for my own body measurement tracker. Surprisingly, instead of obsolescence, my app saw a 50% increase in downloads. This phenomenon isn't unique to my experience. Many utility apps, like flashlight apps, continue to thrive despite iOS having built-in alternatives. My theory? These iOS updates actually educate users about certain functionalities, creating a subset of users who seek more specialized apps from the App Store. As part of my indie hacking journey, I've always focused on targeting specific keywords, building apps around them, and optimizing for App Store rankings. This strategy has its merits, but iOS 18 has made me confront its limitations. Building utility apps without strong branding or unique features leaves them vulnerable to becoming obsolete when iOS introduces similar functionalities. The emotional rollercoaster of app development is real. One day, you're excited about your creation; the next, you're questioning your entire business model. It's a challenge that every solopreneur in the tech world faces at some point. However, this experience has reinforced an important lesson: the best response to uncertainty is creation. Whether it's refining my SwiftUI skills, brainstorming new app ideas, or pivoting existing projects, the act of creating is what drives progress and innovation. For fellow indie hackers and iOS developers, my advice is this: don't let fear of obsolescence paralyze you. Instead, use it as motivation to create something even better. The app development landscape is always changing, and our ability to adapt and innovate is our greatest asset. As we navigate the changes brought by iOS 18 and future updates, let's continue to build in public, share our experiences, and support each other in the indie development community. After all, it's not just about surviving in the App Store - it's about thriving and creating apps that truly make a difference to users. #ios18 #appdevelopment #solopreneur