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Is it allowed for an iOS app to download machine learning model files (e.g., .mlmodel, .onnx) from a separate cloud server?
Hello, I am developing an iOS app that uses machine learning models. To improve accuracy and user experience, I would like to download .mlmodel files (compiled and compressed as zip files) from our own server after the app is installed, and use them for inference within the app. No executable code, scripts, or dynamic libraries will be downloaded—only model data files are used. According to App Store Review Guideline 2.5.2, I understand that apps may not download or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality. In this case, are compiled and zip-compressed .mlmodel files considered "data" rather than "code", and is it allowed to download and use them in the app? If there are any restrictions or best practices related to this, please let me know. Thank you.
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Jul ’25
Requesting official confirmation: Is downloading and updating ML model files after app installation permitted by App Store guidelines?
Hello, I am planning to develop an iOS app that performs on-device inference using machine learning (ML) models. To improve accuracy and user experience, after the app is installed, I would like to download and update .mlmodel files from a separate cloud server and use them for inference within the app. The .mlmodel files will be provided by the cloud server in a compiled format, compressed as zip files. The app will download the zip file, extract it, and use the model. No executable code, scripts, or dynamic libraries will be downloaded—only model data files will be used. All code is fully contained within the app bundle, and the downloaded model files are strictly used as data and are never executed as code. I have previously consulted with DTS (Developer Technical Support), who confirmed that, to their knowledge, this approach does not violate the guidelines and that there are existing apps that rely on this functionality. However, for official assurance and to avoid any potential issues during app review, I would like to request confirmation from the App Review team. Specifically: Is it permitted under App Store guidelines to download or update compiled .mlmodel machine learning model files (compressed as zip files) from a remote cloud server after app installation, as long as no executable code is downloaded or executed? Thank you.
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Jul ’25