App Maintenance Cost in 2026: What Keeps an iOS and Android App Live

Key takeaways

• Store fees are the small part of app upkeep: as of October 24, 2026, Apple's Developer Program costs $99 a year and a Google Play developer account $25 once, per Apple's and Google's developer pages.
• Per Apple's September 9, 2026 announcement, from April 2027 iOS and iPadOS apps uploaded to App Store Connect must be built with the iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 SDK or later and, per Apple's Submitting page, target iOS 15 or later; Apple's October 5 notice adds that every app submitted from April 2027 needs iPhone Duo screenshots.
• Since August 31, 2026, Google Play requires new apps and updates to target Android 16 (API level 36), and per Google's target API requirement, existing apps below API level 35 are unavailable to new users on devices running a newer Android version.
• Apple's App Review page says Apple typically reviews at least 50% of submissions in under 24 hours and 90% in under 48 hours; its 2025 App Store Transparency Report counts 2,093,244 rejections out of 9,100,620 submissions reviewed, about 23%.
• Per Apple's App Store Improvements page, apps not updated in three years that miss a minimal download threshold get a notice and 90 days to update before removal, and apps that crash on launch are removed immediately.

Keeping a live app running costs two kinds of money. The fixed part is small: $99 a year for the Apple Developer Program, a one-time $25 to register on Google Play, and backend and monitoring plans that start free. The larger part is engineering time on dates the stores set: from April 2027, iOS apps must be built with the iOS 27 SDK to upload, and since August 31, 2026, Google Play updates must target Android 16.

This guide is for founders and owners in the US and the UAE with an app in the App Store or Google Play. Inside: fees and service plans with published prices, store deadlines announced as of October 24, 2026, SDK and service changes, review times and what happens to an app nobody maintains. Vladimir Babin, our co-founder and Head of Mobile, has 10+ years of shipping production iOS and macOS apps, including migrations of legacy codebases to modern ones.

How much does it cost to maintain an app per month and per year?

We found no survey of app maintenance budgets with a published method; the percentage-of-build-cost rules in agency blogs don't say where their numbers come from. So we budget bottom-up, in three lines: fixed fees, usage above free quotas, and engineering time. The third line decides the budget.

Published list prices for store accounts and common services behind a live app, in USD. These are the providers' prices, not ours. Checked October 24, 2026.

For example, an app on Supabase Pro with Sentry's Team plan pays $99 + $300 + $312 = $711 a year in fixed fees, about $60 a month, plus $25 once for Google Play. Usage above the included quotas comes on top: Firebase's Cloud Functions, for one, include 2 million invocations a month, then charge $0.40 per million.

Engineering time depends on how many SDKs the app carries, how old its code is and whether you ship one platform or two. As a market figure, Clutch's Mobile App Pricing Guide, updated September 21, 2026, lists $25–49 an hour for iOS, Android and cross-platform work. To budget a year, take the deadlines below, get hours per item from your team and multiply by the rate. Build costs are covered in iOS app development cost.

Store deadlines that create work for apps already live, as announced by Apple and Google. Checked October 24, 2026.

The cycle repeats: Apple's previous minimum, the iOS 26 SDK, took effect on April 28, 2026, and Play Billing Library versions follow a two-year deprecation cycle.

What do Apple and Google charge to keep an app in the store?

Apple charges $99 a year. Per Apple's renewal page, if the membership expires, "your apps will no longer be available for download and you won't be able to submit new apps or updates or access Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles." People who installed the app can keep using it. Renew late, and free apps return within 24 hours; paid apps return once you accept the Paid Applications Agreement, with no resubmission. Google Play charges a one-time $25 registration fee, then requires identity verification, and charges nothing yearly.

The paperwork needs more attention than the fees. Someone with access to your Apple account has to act on changes like these:

• On October 13, 2026, Apple revised the Developer Program License Agreement and asked developers to sign in and accept it.
• On October 16, 2026, it updated the App Review Guidelines, adding guidelines 2.3.14 and 2.5.19.
• Since September 2026, new apps and updates must answer age rating questions about social media features.

Keep both developer accounts in your company's name, not on a former contractor's personal Apple ID.

What does Apple's yearly iOS update cost you?

On September 9, 2026, Apple opened submissions for its new OS releases and announced that from April 2027, iOS and iPadOS apps must be built with the iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 SDK or later. Apple's Submitting page adds that from the same date they must also target iOS 15 or later. Xcode 27 shipped on September 14 and Xcode 27.1 on October 15, per Apple's releases page. A rebuild with a new SDK is rarely just a recompile. Four changes can turn into real work:

• Scene life cycle. Per Apple's technote TN3187, "In the next major release following iOS 26, UIScene lifecycle will be required when building with the latest SDK; otherwise, your app won't launch." Apps still on the older app delegate life cycle need a migration first.
• Compatibility key. Apps could set UIDesignRequiresCompatibility to keep their look from earlier SDKs while refining the UI for the new design. Apple called the key temporary, and the system ignores it when you build for iOS 27 or later.
• iPhone Duo. Apple's October 5 notice suggests recompiling with Xcode 27.1, which adds development support for iPhone Duo (available to customers since October 23, 2026), and checking every pose and orientation in Device Hub. From April 2027, submissions need iPhone Duo screenshots.
• Retired APIs. The ImageCreator class, used to generate images on device, "will no longer work in iOS 27." That kind of change breaks on users' phones as they update, whether or not you release.

Cross-platform apps share the cycle. Flutter, Hermes (React Native's JavaScript engine), Capacitor and Cordova are on Apple's list of third-party SDKs with privacy manifest and signature requirements, and every iOS build goes through Xcode and the same SDK minimum. We compare the stacks in Swift vs Flutter vs React Native.

What does Google Play require from Android apps in 2026?

Since August 31, 2026, new apps and updates must target Android 16, API level 36; Wear OS and Android Automotive OS apps need level 35, TV and XR apps level 34. Extensions to November 1, 2026 were available on request. Existing apps must target level 35 or higher to stay available to new users whose devices run a newer Android. In Google's words: "Out-of-date apps are unavailable to new users of devices that run newer versions of Android."

A new target level is real work: per the same Google page, some changes "only apply to apps that explicitly declare support through their targetSdkVersion manifest attribute." Android 16's behavior changes include:

• Edge to edge. The opt-out is gone, so every screen draws behind the system bars.
• Predictive back. It's on by default and onBackPressed is no longer called, so custom back handling moves to the supported APIs.
• Large screens. On displays with a smallest width of 600dp or more, orientation, resizability and aspect ratio restrictions no longer apply, except in games. The temporary opt-out stops working for apps that target API level 37.
• Arabic text. The elegantTextHeight attribute is deprecated and ignored, and Google asks developers to adapt layouts for Arabic, Thai and eight other scripts. For a UAE app, that means checking every Arabic screen.

Two more Play deadlines:

• Billing. Play Billing Library follows a two-year deprecation cycle. New apps and updates now need version 8 or newer, and version 8 reaches its own deadline on August 31, 2027.
• 16 KB pages. "Starting February 1, 2027, if your app updates don't support 16 KB memory page sizes, you won't be able to release these updates," per Google's guide. It concerns native code, including native code inside SDKs.

Play Console also warns about SDKs. For an SDK version with critical issues, you can still release temporarily but "must update to a newer SDK version within 90 days of that release"; after that, releases with it are blocked. Releases with an SDK version that breaks Play policy can be rejected.

What happens when an SDK or service your app uses changes?

Every library and service in an app runs on its own schedule, and its changes land on your team whether or not you planned a release:

• Shutdowns. Firebase Dynamic Links shut down on August 25, 2025, and its links now return an HTTP 404 error, so a link in an old email, ad or QR code broke. Firebase recommends App Links and Universal Links instead and lists third-party services such as Adjust, AppsFlyer and Branch, which Google has not vetted.
• Domains. In August 2026, Apple said new Sign in with Apple relay addresses would come from private.icloud.com later in the year and asked developers to make sure their "account systems, email validation logic, and allowlists accept addresses on the new private.icloud.com domain." Existing addresses keep working.
• Certificates. Apple changed the push notification server certificate in early 2025, and servers that send pushes directly had to add the USERTrust RSA root certificate to their trust store, per Apple's upcoming requirements.
• SDK rules. Apple requires a privacy manifest for SDKs on its list, among them several Firebase libraries, OneSignal and Alamofire, in new apps and in updates that add one, plus signatures for binary SDKs.

Partners outside the stores do the same. ChessProfi, a tournament platform we built on Supabase, is a web app rather than a store app, but it shows the pattern: since June 27, 2026, it has been connected by direct API to the new rating platform of the DSB, Germany's chess federation. A link like this depends on a platform the partner controls.

Keep a list of every SDK and service in the app, with its version and the person who reads its announcements.

What do backend hosting and monitoring cost for a mobile app?

Most mobile apps run on a backend for sign-in, data, push notifications and files. Entry prices are in the table above; the details decide the bill:

• Free quotas. On Firebase's pay-as-you-go Blaze plan, Cloud Firestore includes 1 GiB stored, 50,000 reads and 20,000 writes a day. Usage above the quotas is billed per unit.
• Pauses. On Supabase's free plan, "Free projects are paused after 1 week of inactivity." A paused backend means an app that can't sign anyone in, so production belongs on a paid plan: Pro starts at $25 a month and Team at $599.
• Error volume. Sentry's free plan covers one user and 5,000 errors; Business costs $80 a month billed yearly.

Monitoring is the line we'd never cut. Apple's App Store Improvements page says "apps that crash on launch will be removed immediately." Crash reports that alert a person are how you find a launch crash before Apple or your users do.

A custom backend adds upkeep of its own. For ZOOP, a creator-first social app on iOS, Android and the web, we built the recommendation system on AWS, not the native apps. What carries over is the backend side: models retrain on a schedule, pass offline evaluation and ship through a registry, and monitoring watches latency and errors behind a personal feed for 10K+ monthly users.

Case study · ZOOPPersonal feeds for 10,000+ monthly users10K+monthly users get a personal feed

How long does App Store review take?

Usually a day or two. Per Apple's App Review page, Apple typically reviews "at least 50% of submissions in less than 24 hours and 90% in less than 48 hours." Incomplete submissions take longer or fail, and on average over 40% of unresolved issues fall under guideline 2.1, App Completeness: crashes, placeholder content and incomplete information.

How often does Apple reject apps and updates?

Apple's 2025 App Store Transparency Report counts 9,100,620 submissions reviewed and 2,093,244 rejected, about 23%. Performance reasons led with 1,354,418 rejections, more than legal (495,673) and design (415,532) combined; one submission can have several reasons. Per Apple Newsroom, nearly 800,000 of the rejections were app updates.

Two rules on the App Review page help with urgent fixes. If review of a bug fix update finds other issues, "you have the option to resolve the additional issues with your next submission, as long as there are no legal or safety concerns." For a critical bug, you can request an expedited review with steps to reproduce it. Plan around holidays too: Apple's latest holiday notice with review dates, from 2024, warned that reviews might take longer from December 20 to 26.

How long does Google Play review take?

Google's publishing guide warns that certain developer accounts can see "review times of up to seven days or longer in exceptional cases." Approved updates go live as soon as possible or, with managed publishing, when you choose, which helps when iOS and Android versions should launch together.

How the two stores review and release updates, per Apple's and Google's documentation. Checked October 24, 2026.

On both stores, the fix ships as a new version through review. That's why gradual release matters: a bug caught at 2% of users reaches far fewer people than one caught at 100%.

What happens if you stop maintaining an app?

Nothing breaks on day one. The costs arrive in steps:

1. The account lapses. The app leaves the App Store for new downloads, and installed copies keep working.
2. A deadline passes. From April 2027, no iOS update uploads until the app builds with the iOS 27 SDK and targets iOS 15 or later. On Android, an outdated target level hides the app from new users on newer Android versions.
3. A dependency fails. An SDK version with critical issues blocks Play releases after 90 days, and a free backend pauses after a quiet week.
4. Apple removes the app. Per App Store Improvements, apps not updated in three years that miss a minimal download threshold over a rolling 12 months get a notice and 90 days to update, or they're removed until an update is approved. You keep the name, and current users keep the app.

Catching up then means years of SDK changes in one release, under a deadline. We'd rather budget one planned update per Apple and Google cycle.

App maintenance checklist for 2026–2027

Use it before you sign a support contract, or to check the one you have:

1. Accounts. Developer accounts in your company's name, a known renewal date, and someone who can accept Apple's terms.
2. Calendar. February 1, 2027 for 16 KB pages on Google Play, April 2027 for the iOS 27 SDK, an iOS 15 minimum and iPhone Duo screenshots, August 31, 2027 for Play Billing Library 8.
3. Inventory. Every SDK and service with its version and owner, and Play Console's SDK warnings checked before each release.
4. Monitoring. Crash reporting on both platforms, with alerts that reach a person.
5. Backend. A paid plan for production, backups, and sign-up rules that accept private.icloud.com addresses alongside privaterelay.appleid.com.
6. Releases. Phased release and staged rollouts on every update, plus a written path for an urgent fix.
7. Budget. Hours for the yearly iOS and Android updates as their own line, separate from new features.

If the backend or web version of your product was built with Lovable, Bolt, Replit, v0, Cursor or Claude Code, usually on Supabase or Firebase with Stripe, our vibe code rescue service makes it reliable while it keeps running and stays on to support it. If you're choosing who will maintain a mobile app, see how to choose an app development company in the UAE. To go through your app's deadlines with a partner, book a call.

Questions we get asked

How much does it cost to maintain an app per month?

The fixed part is small. Apple charges $99 a year and Google Play $25 once. Backend and monitoring plans start free; Supabase Pro starts at $25 a month and Sentry's Team plan at $26 a month billed yearly, which with Apple's fee comes to about $60 a month. The larger, variable part is engineering time for store deadlines, SDK updates and fixes. As a market figure, Clutch lists $25–49 an hour for app development. A partner can estimate your app's hours after a call.

Do I have to update my app every year?

If you want to keep shipping, yes. From April 2027, Apple accepts only uploads built with the iOS 27 SDK or later and targeting iOS 15 or later, and since August 31, 2026, Google Play updates must target Android 16. An app you leave alone keeps working for people who installed it, but the next fix you need to ship has to include that catch-up work first. Apple may also remove apps not updated in three years that miss a minimal download threshold, after a notice and 90 days to update.

What happens if I stop paying the Apple Developer Program fee?

Per Apple's renewal page, when the membership expires your apps are no longer available for download, and you can't submit new apps or updates or access Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles. People who already installed the app can keep using it. If you renew later, free apps become available again within 24 hours, and paid apps after you accept the Paid Applications Agreement in App Store Connect. You don't need to resubmit. A phased release in progress stops when the app is removed from sale.

How long does App Store review take for an app update?

Per Apple's App Review page, at least 50% of submissions are reviewed in under 24 hours and 90% in under 48 hours, and updates are reviewed like new apps: Apple Newsroom says nearly 800,000 app updates were rejected in 2025. Incomplete submissions take longer, and over 40% of unresolved issues fall under guideline 2.1, App Completeness. For a critical bug fix, you can request an expedited review with steps to reproduce the bug. Google Play warns that some accounts can wait up to seven days.

What does Google Play require from apps in 2026?

Since August 31, 2026, new apps and updates must target Android 16 (API level 36); extensions to November 1, 2026 were available on request. Apps that sell in the app must use Play Billing Library 8 or newer. Existing apps that target below API level 35 are unavailable to new users on devices with a newer Android version. Next on the calendar: from February 1, 2027, updates must support 16 KB memory page sizes, which matters for apps with native code.

Can I roll back a bad app update?

You can stop it from spreading, then replace it. On the App Store, a phased release can be paused for up to 30 days in total, with no limit on the number of pauses, though anyone can still download that version manually. On Google Play, halting a staged rollout stops new users from getting it, while users who already have it stay on it. The fix ships as a new version through review; for a critical bug, Apple accepts expedited review requests.

Sources

1. Apple Developer Program · Apple, 2026
2. Program Renewal · Apple, 2026
3. App Store submissions now open for the latest OS releases · Apple, 2026
4. Submitting · Apple, 2026
5. Upcoming SDK minimum requirements · Apple, 2026
6. Releases · Apple, 2026
7. TN3187: Migrating to the UIKit scene-based life cycle · Apple, 2026
8. UIDesignRequiresCompatibility · Apple, 2026
9. Prepare and submit your apps for iPhone Duo · Apple, 2026
10. Deprecation of the ImageCreator class · Apple, 2026
11. Update: New domain for Sign in with Apple · Apple, 2026
12. Upcoming Requirements · Apple, 2026
13. Third-party SDK requirements · Apple, 2026
14. Age rating questionnaire now includes social media questions · Apple, 2026
15. Updated Apple Developer Program License Agreement now available · Apple, 2026
16. Updated App Review Guidelines are now available · Apple, 2026
17. Get your apps and games ready for the holidays · Apple, 2024
18. App Review · Apple, 2026
19. 2025 App Store Transparency Report · Apple, 2026
20. The App Store stopped over $2.2 billion in fraudulent transactions in 2025 · Apple Newsroom, 2026
21. App Store Improvements · Apple, 2026
22. Xcode Cloud · Apple, 2026
23. Release a version update in phases · Apple, 2026
24. Meet Google Play's target API level requirement · Android Developers, 2026
25. Behavior changes: Apps targeting Android 16 or higher · Android Developers, 2026
26. Get started with Play Console · Google, 2026
27. Publish your app · Google, 2026
28. Release app updates with staged rollouts · Google, 2026
29. Google Play Billing Library version deprecation · Android Developers, 2026
30. Support 16 KB page sizes · Android Developers, 2026
31. Using third-party SDKs in your app · Google, 2026
32. Dynamic Links Deprecation FAQ · Firebase, 2026
33. Firebase Pricing · Firebase, 2026
34. Pricing · Sentry, 2026
35. Pricing & Fees · Supabase, 2026
36. Mobile App Pricing Guide 2026 · Clutch, 2026

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About the author

Vladimir Babin

Co-founder, Head of Mobile

Leads native iOS and mobile apps, from idea to App Store.

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