Apple Blocks Crypto Mining Apps On Its Products

In a recent update, Apple expanded their initial guidelines on cryptocurrencies to include policies on wallets, mining, exchanges, ICOs, and more.

Jun 12, 2018 at 4:10 p.m. UTC

Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 8:02 a.m. UTC

Apple has moved to put a stop to any crypto-mining apps that might be used on its mobile products.

In a recent update, the personal computing company expanded its initial guidelines on cryptocurrencies. Before, the guidelines specified apps facilitating cryptocurrency exchange and/or initial coin offerings (ICOs) must comply with all applicable state and federal laws.

Now, the guidelines specify more than that. In five bullet points, the guidelines run through Apple's policy on wallets, mining, exchanges, ICOs, and rewards that take the form of cryptocurrency.

Most notable among them: the updated policy bars any apps used on an Apple product from mining for cryptocurrencies unless performed "off device". The reasoning behind this change seems to be connected to Apple's policies on hardware compatibility, where it reads:

"Design your app to use power efficiently. Apps should not rapidly drain battery, generate excessive heat, or put unnecessary strain on device resources. Apps, including any third party advertisements displayed within them, may not run unrelated background processes, such as cryptocurrency mining."

However, as previously reported, comparisons of energy consumption as it relates to mining efficiency are evolving in light of expanding capabilities and capacities –thereby raising the concern over the precedent this ban sets for current and future mining activity.

The updates to Apple's official policy on cryptocurrency also come in light of pre-emptive measures taken by the company in prior years to clamp down on app development facilitating cryptocurrency trade.

Back in 2014, Apple pulled an app by Blockchain that was geared towards bitcoin trading and storage on Apple devices. The year prior, another bitcoin wallet app by a cryptocurrency exchange company known as Coinbase was also de-listed. Apps for those startups have since returned to Apple's online store.

iPhone image via Shutterstock.

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