MetaMask Temporarily Removed from Apple's App Store: Uncovering the Why and How

Curious about MetaMask's abrupt removal from Apple's App Store?

This blog dives into the details, exploring MetaMask's own statements and community speculations.

From policy considerations to new app features, we examine the possible reasons behind this must-follow event for crypto enthusiasts.

MetaMask Clarifies: "No Malicious Activity Involved"

On October 15, 2023, the popular cryptocurrency wallet MetaMask announced that its wallet app had been temporarily removed from Apple's App Store. The company offered a brief explanation concerning the removal.

News of MetaMask's removal from the App Store broke around 11:00 PM on November 14, 2023.

Without any official announcement, the sudden disappearance of the app led to rampant speculation within the cryptocurrency community.

MetaMask later stated in a post on the 15th that they were "aware that MetaMask is not available for download on the App Store."They clarified that "this was not due to any malicious activity and the team is working diligently to resolve the issue."

Additionally, in the same post on the 15th, MetaMask also reported that "the MetaMask app has returned to the App Store."

What Caused MetaMask's Temporary Removal?

Though no official statement has been made regarding the reason for the app's removal from the App Store, some posts on social media at the time of the report suggested that "the app removal is a temporary issue that arose while releasing a new version."

Another prevailing opinion suggests that the "stringent service policies of the App Store may be involved."

The App Store does not allow apps that run "irrelevant background processes," and there's speculation that this could be the reason for MetaMask's removal.

Back in December 2019, MetaMask was also removed from Google Play for "violating the policy that prohibits cryptocurrency mining on mobile devices."

MetaMask later clarified that they "do not provide mining features," and returned to the store a few days later.

This history adds to the speculation that similar reasons might be behind the app's temporary removal this time as well.

MetaMask has recently enhanced its "cryptocurrency trading functionalities," enabling trading through various payment services.

Some believe that these new features could potentially be the reason for the removal.