Im confused at why so many apps do this. Here are screenshots from version history of chatgpt and instagram apps on ios appstore. Why don’t they want users to know what is new in each version? 
Discussion
I agree, and I think it should be against the App Store guidelines. It’s a great way to paywall features that were free, etc. without the user knowing until it’s too late.
Very interesting observation
It seems like they are doing some kind of 2day continuous integration, so perhaps most of these changes are technical/incremental and its hard to put together a proper changelog 🤷♂️
Hmm maybe thats not exactly true, since the gaps don’t seem consistent
There is no past or future for a child of the state
At my job apple rejected detailed releases notes and I had to change to bug fixes and performance improvements
wtf
All of their commit messages are "changed stuff" and "changed stuff again"
Because what those updates really are is to make sure there is triple back doors for telemetry data so if privacy fanatics manage to patch one two are still open. All their really doing is making sure these backdoors work on every mobile device so even your old jellybean or kitkat device can still get backdoored.
Perhaps it’s because it would look something like this:
Version History
1.3
— New stealth mode NSA backdoor.
— Enhanced GPS data collection.
— Refined user data sale algorithm.
— Streamlined personal data harvesting for targeted ads.
The default Instagram user doesn't care about what's inside these updates at all. Normies phones update these kind of apps automatically too, they don't even know they got an update. All they care is that Instagram does the Instagram thing 🤷♂️
Devs likely don't have any stake in success of the app...
Target population does not understand or care what those bugs are. If it affects them in obvious ways, then they spell it out. Also note that they try to release often and early. That is a good strategy for the AppStore to stay fresh and relevant 🐶🐾🫡
That annoys me too and i appreciate that you don’t do it with damus. There have been some fun update notes too 🤭 
lol
I always thought they did this to increase the chances or speed up app approval. Think of some of the problems you’ve had with zaps etc.
good point, I leave controversial stuff out of these now 😅
Absolutely hate this .. I guess version upgrade has become a joke - for most modern apps .. its a shame ..
I recall Yelp used to have a creative writeup going with each update - a while back .. used to be a fun read up ..not technical though ..
Good things never go unnoticed :-) they used to end up on Reddit .. till #nostr came along 😂
Laziness and because sometimes the modifications are against customer's interest (trackers, analytics, commercials...)
It will take the product and it will rub the lotion on its skin
bcause they're spy fixes
I have a conspiracy theory about this 🤣🤣🤣
I think they put out updates to remind people that their app exists. Like an implicit free app marketing.
1) you get an extra notification in the App Store.
2) when you visit the App Store it shows you “Update”
3) the app icon gets a small blue notification dot to tell you the app was updated.
All of these attract users attention in different way.
Laziness. Apple started doing it years ago with iOS updates and so app devs ran with it. It’s this unspoken norm that if it’s a minor point update, just put Bug fixes and minor improvements.
- Easier to localize
- No thought needed on the release notes
- Sales team doesn’t get any detailed questions about specific items because none are listed
I’m not advocating for it, but that’s been my experience as an iOS App Developer and Product Manager from the beginning of the App Store.
hmm interesting, thanks!