Whether it is Android or iOS, you can open shortcut operations by long-pressing the desktop application icon. Shortcut operations usually include delete or uninstall buttons provided by the system itself. Previously, some users found that some applications would add fake uninstall buttons to shortcut operations to mislead users.
When the user mistakenly clicks the fake uninstall button, the corresponding application will actually be opened and added to the boot page. This is similar to a digital software that puts many steps in the uninstall program to induce users not to uninstall.
Unexpectedly, this kind of fake uninstall button has also appeared on iOS. Some netizens discovered that Zuoyebang has a fake uninstall button in the long-press shortcut operation. After the user clicks it, the uninstall feedback page of Zuoyebang will be opened.
Image source: @1qaz234Q
Different from the domestic Android ecosystem, Apple has stricter management of iOS application developers. This practice of adding fake uninstall buttons may have violated the developer guidelines. If Apple does not severely punish it, it is expected that other applications will soon add similar buttons.
Bluedot.com has tested other mainstream domestic applications and has not found anything similar to Zuoyebang's approach. Therefore, Zuoyebang's approach should remain an exception for the time being. Zuoyebang also has a fake uninstall button in the shortcut operations on the Android platform, but Android manufacturers may not have strict control in this regard.
Apple’s official app review guidelines have similar restrictions:
Guideline 2.3.1: Hidden or misleading functionality (uninstalling and jumping to the boot page is deceiving the user)
Guideline 2.5.2: Simulate system behavior (infringement of system UI permissions)
Guideline 5.2.3: Legal and Brand Protection (Interfering with the normal iOS app lifecycle management process)
Apple’s official Human-Computer Interaction Guidelines also have similar design specifications:
Avoid using shortcuts for tasks that are meant to be automated, or for confusing navigation. That is to say, shortcut operations should be used to improve efficiency, and using them as an entry point to retain users or prevent uninstallation completely violates Apple's design philosophy.