Social App Momo Removed from Apple’s App Store Due to Technical Issues

The developer of the Chinese social media app, Momo, has announced that technical issues are preventing users from downloading the app from the Apple’s App Store. The company responsible for Momo, Hello Group Inc., is currently in communication with Apple and working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible so that the app can be re-listed.

In the meantime, iOS users who have already downloaded Momo will not be affected by this problem, and Android users can still download it normally from various application stores.

Concerning the removal of the app, some netizens have raised questions about whether Apple removed it from its platform due to illegal content. The App Store review guidelines outline requirements for apps in areas such as content and data security, accurate metadata, hardware compatibility, business practices, design quality and privacy protection. Typically, the App Store removes apps that spread illegal information or violate regulations; fail to update for a long time; infringe on intellectual property rights; or contain software defects. However, Hello Group has emphasized that the removal was due to technical issues and not related to any problematic content on their platform.

The Momo app was introduced in 2011 to facilitate socializing with strangers. In December 2014, the developer went public on Nasdaq and had over 180 million users, with nearly 70 million active monthly users. On August 2nd, 2021, the company changed its legal name from Momo Inc. to Hello Group Inc.

SEE ALSO: Hello Group Announces Name Change from Momo

Hello Group reported a revenue of 3.2127 billion yuan ($464 million) in Q4 2022, which is a decrease of 12.6% compared to the same period last year. The net profit for the quarter was 398 million yuan. In December 2022, Momo app had 94.6 million monthly active users, down from 114.1 million in December 2021. Additionally, the total number of paying users on Momo app during Q4 of 2022 was recorded at 7.8 million as opposed to the previous year’s figure of 8.9 million for the same period.

Hello Group has shifted its focus to the online fitness industry due to stagnant user growth. In October of last year, Tech Planet reported that Hello Group launched two online fitness products: one focused on dance and the other on sports social networking. Additionally, in an effort to alleviate concerns about revenue growth, Hello Group is targeting the gaming industry.