In a surprising turn of events, the widely-used cryptocurrency wallet, MetaMask, has mysteriously disappeared from the Apple App Store, leaving millions of users in the lurch. As of October 14th, MetaMask’s mobile application is nowhere to be found, echoing a similar incident involving Trust Wallet last year, which was later reinstated.
The removal of the MetaMask app from the Apple App Store has raised eyebrows, as neither Apple nor MetaMask has provided an official explanation for this abrupt action. MetaMask, a self-custodial wallet renowned for its security and ease of access to blockchain applications and Web3, boasts a stellar rating of 4.7 with over 42,000 reviews on the iOS platform.
This recent development may trigger déjà vu for some, reminiscent of the Trust Wallet incident in September of the previous year. In that case, Trust Wallet was inexplicably pulled from the Apple App Store but was swiftly reinstated, with the Trust Wallet team assuring users that the issue was being addressed.
The Apple App Store has faced criticism and controversy over its dealings with cryptocurrency-related applications. Last year, Coinbase encountered difficulties when trying to release a wallet application on the platform. Interestingly, in 2022, MetaMask co-founder Dan Finlay publicly voiced his support for Coinbase against Apple’s App Store practices, particularly the contentious 30% in-app purchase tax, which he referred to as “an abuse of monopoly.”
While the removal of MetaMask from the Apple App Store has left users and industry experts puzzled, MetaMask’s Lead Product Manager, Taylor Monahan, has assured that the issue is being addressed and will soon be resolved. However, the precise reasons behind this sudden removal remain shrouded in mystery, leaving the crypto community eagerly awaiting further updates on this unfolding situation.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that cryptocurrency wallets and applications continue to face when navigating the complex landscape of app store regulations and policies. As the situation develops, more information is expected to come to light, shedding light on the fate of MetaMask’s presence on the Apple App Store.
For the users who already have the app in their iPhones should be able to use Metamask without any issues. And for the rest, you can either use the Metamask Chrome extension or try Ledger crypto wallet or its alternatives.
