Apple on Monday updated its guidelines making it mandatory to use 64-bit and iOS 8 SDK (software development kit) for iOS apps being submitted to the App Store from February 1.
"Starting February 1, 2015, new iOS 8 SDK, included in Xcode 6 or later. To enable 64-bit in your project, we recommend using the default Xcode build setting of 'Standard architectures' to build a single binary with both 32-bit and 64-bit code," wrote company on its developer news portal. 721d1z
Currently, developers have the option to submit 32-bit apps, but after February 1, they will have to include 64-bit for any new apps they submit. Developers do not need to add 64-bit to existing apps, unless they are submitting an update after February 1.
Adding 64-bit to an app usually doesn't take too much time. Developers will have to use the most recent tools as Apple points out that the app should be built with the iOS 8 SDK. Notably, Apple will not be able to drop 32-bit until iOS devices running on 32-bit processors are left out of the iOS update cycle.
With the iOS 7 SDK and Xcode 5, seeking compatibility with the completely new interface in the new version of iOS.