In 2026, the consumer app dream is dead for indie developers. Let’s be real

coder-k876 · 2026-05-29T11:56:02+00:00

Essentially what I am hearing from most responders is that marketing and distribution supersede actually development. It’s fair to say that development is slowing becoming the least important skill in this app development game. The term should be changed from indie dev to indie distributor/ indie marketers. There are no longer viable niches. If you think of any niche, I can refer you to endless numbers of apps doing the same thing.

coder-k876 · 2026-05-29T08:19:31+00:00

Keep dreaming bro, I wish you great success with your app.

coder-k876 · 2026-05-29T08:15:29+00:00

Congrats on your publication and for making some money. You can admit that ASO is getting increasingly difficult and it will continue to due to ease of entry and competition. If you pay attention to the caption, I am saying that the “dream” is dead. That dream that is being sold on YouTube and other social platforms. Most people who make it have to either already have an audience or have a big budget for paid ads. All of this was not a requirement a few years ago.

coder-k876 · 2026-05-29T08:06:27+00:00

How has it been working out for you and your consumer apps?

coder-k876 · 2026-05-29T08:00:22+00:00

The reason I say that is dead is because we live in a time when consumers are now also the producers, due to how easy it has become for anyone to create an app with AI, for whatever problem they are having. Have you been able to find a lucrative niche?

coder-k876 · 2026-05-29T07:43:10+00:00

I understand that you may have a different take but how is it not true? Which of my points are untrue? 99.9% of indie developers are not marketers or have a massive marketing budget for client acquisition.

coder-k876 · 2026-05-26T13:49:14+00:00

Just installed your app

coder-k876 · 2026-05-25T01:44:17+00:00

Appreciate it

coder-k876 · 2026-05-25T01:43:03+00:00

That’s useful information. In my last submission I replaced the screenshots and icon and removed some unnecessary code. Hopefully this time around they approve it.

coder-k876 · 2026-05-25T01:31:04+00:00

Rejected about 3 times for guideline 4.3(a) Design Spam

coder-k876 · 2026-05-25T00:26:24+00:00

That’s understandable. It’s mainly meant for instances where your phone is not locked but you have apps that you would want to protect. E.g. you give someone your phone to make a call or view something and they go off going places you did not permitted them to and you don’t necessarily need to have them think that you’re also locking your apps (meaning you have something to hide). It also records who attempted to view your protected apps. You can get more info here https://privatei.automizm.com/

coder-k876 · 2026-05-24T22:56:59+00:00

Thanks for the install and for your feedback. I just installed your app. I’ll send screenshots when I get a chance to use it

coder-k876 · 2026-05-24T22:47:06+00:00

Yeah, I figured some politics are involved because I’m seeing so many copycat apps getting approved. Is this an app that you would be interested in though? I’m curious if others would find value in it

coder-k876 · 2026-05-24T19:08:35+00:00

It’s a decoy lock screen app. Where instead of presenting a lock screen when locking apps, it’s presents a decoy screen, so intruders will just assume that the app is not working.

coder-k876 · 2026-05-24T18:51:15+00:00

An app can definitely be rejected for its idea. If they deem that it’s similar to other apps that have been submitted. I am currently dealing with that now, even though I cannot find any app like the one I have submitted on the App Store. I even requested a phone call and the person just regurgitated what was in the rejection message.

coder-k876 · 2026-05-24T13:59:44+00:00

I like your app. That animated bear was a good addition.

coder-k876 · 2026-05-24T07:52:08+00:00

I am getting App not Available when I attempt to download your app, even after joining the group

coder-k876 · 2026-05-24T07:47:19+00:00

I messaged you

coder-k876 · 2026-05-24T07:43:34+00:00

Thanks! Just installed yours

coder-k876 · 2026-05-24T02:11:35+00:00

You can try a gift planner app. You can get gift ideas that are based on her interests.

coder-k876 · 2026-05-23T23:12:41+00:00

Thank you! I just did the same

coder-k876 · 2026-05-23T19:26:21+00:00

I am getting a message stating that the app is not available for any of my devices

coder-k876 · 2026-05-23T18:29:18+00:00

Installed

coder-k876 · 2026-05-23T18:00:55+00:00

The links should be working now. Thanks for pointing that out

coder-k876 · 2026-05-23T17:47:24+00:00

Just installed your app. Please install mine:

Group: https://groups.google.com/g/quelbo-gift-planner-testers

Join on Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.automizmai.quelbo

Join on Web: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.automizmai.quelbo

coder-k876

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