When it comes to app releases, usually what happens is that the developer or publisher will announce a date that the app will be released on, and when that date arrives, the app will then be visible and available for download via its respective app store. This is different from games on PC or console where you can pre-order them ahead of their release.However this will be changing for iOS apps, thanks to a sighting on the iTunes Connect website by Mac Stories. According to the sighting, it seems that Apple is now allowing developers to offer their apps for pre-order up to three months ahead of its release. This means that when the app is live and released, it will automatically download onto the device of the customer.
According to the documentation, “Now you can make your new apps available for pre-order on all Apple platforms. Customers can see your product page and order your app before it’s released for download. Once your app is released, customers will be notified and your app will automatically download to their device. For paid apps, customers will be charged before download.”
This isn’t exactly a new feature per se because if you remember, Apple tested out this feature with Nintendo’s Super Mario Run back in 2016, so basically they are now opening it up for all developers.