How to update my IOS app?

When should developers complete their app update for iOS 7 to ensure it's ready for iOS 7 launch?

• Is there a date specified by Apple? When do devs start working on the update after the announcement (WWDC)?

• Answer:

  Apple normally does not specify any date this far in advance, however developers can begin working on iOS 7 apps with the new SDK as soon as the initial beta of iOS 7 and the SDK is released -- which was this past Monday. So in other words: they can start now. However, the practical answer is a bit more complex. Starting iOS 7 development wholesale right now is only practical if one plans to develop a new app specifically for iOS 7 and is not going to release it before iOS 7 comes out in the fall. Or, alternatively, if a developer has an existing app on the App Store that doesn't require any major updates prior to the fall. At this point, Apple is not accepting any apps compiled with the new SDK for iOS 7. Developers updating existing apps or planning to release something before the fall will need to continue working with the existing, non-beta tools in order to do so. This means some developers will need to work on two code bases somewhat in parallel. Note, however, that apps compiled with the new SDK will automatically inherit the iOS 7 UI elements, so many simpler apps may not require dramatic re-working in order to be ready for iOS 7. Even slightly sophisticated apps, however, will need to make some code adjustments due to API changes. Apple normally announces to developers that it will begin accepting apps for submission to the App Store for a new iOS version about 2-4 weeks prior to the actual public release. This date is not normally announced in advance -- Apple simply sends out a notification that it is now accepting apps compiled with a new SDK. Apple also does not normally tell developers when the public iOS release will be any sooner than it is announced to the public itself. Note that developers also normally receive the final "Gold Master" (GM) release of an iOS update about two weeks prior to the public release, providing them with time to test their code against what is essentially the "final" release. With only one minor exception, the GM release has always been identical to what is ultimately released to the public.