Apple recently removed an app called Kimi from its App Store. Initially posing as a vision testing app, Kimi was actually a platform that enabled users to watch pirated movies on their smartphones. The Verge reported that Apple removed the app from the App Store on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS after it was discovered to be misleading. The app had been available on the App Store since around September 2023.
According to the report, the Kimi app appeared suspicious and was not a legitimate vision testing application. The app lacked a proper description or screenshots. Despite this, Kimi managed to rank eighth in the App Store’s trending list of free entertainment apps and forty-sixth overall for free apps.
Upon opening, the app displayed a selection of movies and TV shows for viewing. Unlike some other apps, Kimi did not feature a splash screen or any deceptive elements to unlock its content, and it lacked a layer of legitimacy. The app’s interface resembled that of the older Popcorn Time app, which was previously available on Apple’s App Store and allowed users to stream movies from torrents. However, the report did not confirm whether Kimi also used torrents for hosting its content, which can be costly.
The report also mentions that the app’s Search tab featured convenient filtering options and a Ranking tab that displayed popular content and new releases. Users could also download movies using the app. However, not all content had high-quality viewing options, and the app did not provide information such as cast details or trivia about films. The report suggests that the app was primarily focused on quickly providing access to movies, regardless of their legality.
Apple has not disclosed how the Kimi app managed to circumvent its App Store’s review process. Despite this incident, Apple has long maintained that its tightly controlled App Store is essential for ensuring the safety of iOS users. The company has also opposed regulations that would mandate Apple to permit sideloading apps or alternative app stores. In a separate incident, a phishing app was discovered on the App Store, masquerading as LastPass.
