How I Built Six Niche Apps That Earned Over $3,000 Per Day—and What I Learned When Apple Blocked My Account
Four years ago I launched a startup focused on mobile apps. By September 20 of last year, six niche apps were collectively generating more than $3,000 in daily profit (about 90% from iOS). The very next day, Apple removed all of my apps from the App Store and blocked my account. I appealed with evidence, screenshots, and even a pre-trial claim, but the responses were minimal. I’ve since filed a lawsuit against Apple, and for the time being the iOS market is off-limits for me.
I’ve learned a lot from this experience—lessons worth sharing with other developers, not as complaints but as practical takeaways. Below is a concise account of how simple ideas evolved into profitable apps, where I went wrong, and how I adapted when challenges hit.
First idea: a simple before/after video creator
Idea genesis
– The first app was straightforward: upload two before/after images and generate a short video with a slide transition.
– The inspiration came from my wife, who was a nail tech and wanted to produce content to attract clients. She couldn’t find any suitable apps for creating before/after videos in the App Store. I initially doubted the idea, but she was right.
Early development and traction
– I enlisted a friend to help build the app. In 2019, we spent a couple of months on development, and within a year it earned about $100–$200 per month.
– I bought out my partner’s share for a token, then, on February 26, 2020 (my 30th birthday), I used part of the proceeds to buy back the stake in the before/after app. I had roughly $10k in hand.
The redesign that catalyzed growth
– I quickly connected with an affordable, talented freelancer and rebuilt the app from scratch in about 1.5 months for around $2,000.
– Key improvements included:
– Updated design and transitions (including diagonal ones)
– Adjustable animation speed
– Enhanced effects settings (transition thickness, color, neon, etc.)
– Music, text, and sticker support
– Updated App Store presence (store description, screenshots, icon)
– Localization for all languages available on the App Store
Impact of marketing
– After the redesign, organic downloads surged. Prior to the update, the app saw only a few hundred monthly users; afterward, growth accelerated.
– I brought on a marketing specialist for roughly $400/month and launched a single Apple Search Ads campaign. The initial ad spend was modest ($200–$300), but it paid off, and I found myself investing more to keep pace with demand.
– A turning point came from an influencer-led dog-grooming contest that offered premium access as a prize. The campaign generated about $2,000 net and revealed a broader audience willing to invest in showcase-worthy results.
Sustained growth and eventual success
– Over the following months, the app sustained 20–30% monthly growth and eventually reached around $34,000 in a month (roughly $25k iOS, $9k Android; Android released about three months after the redesign).
– I received acquisition offers and ultimately sold a stake for around $410k after a five-day negotiation window. In hindsight, the app’s value would likely have been closer to $1 million at that time. The app continued to perform, remaining profitable without further updates.
Subsequent ventures and surprises
– With the success of the first app, I aimed to replicate and scale. I relocated with my family to Chile, selling many possessions to pursue new opportunities.
– I attempted to build a robust video editing app and a social-media design suite. Early releases failed due to unsustainable customer acquisition costs and intense competition (e.g., CapCut). Other experiments, such as API integrations and collaboration features, faced shifting platform policies and persistent roadblocks.
– After recognizing a pattern, I pivoted back toward niche, focused apps that solve very specific needs. I developed several new apps (a Boomerang-style tool, typography/font collections for social posts, and more), all aimed at clean, straightforward functionality with strong ratings (average App Store rating above 4.5 stars across six apps).
The crash and a pivotal turning point
– On August 21, 2023, Apple notified me that one or more of my apps violated store policies and that, if not corrected within 30 days, they would be removed and my developer account shut down. I provided evidence and attempted to resolve the issue, but communications were largely automated or ignored.
– On September 20, 2023, after a day of exceptional sales, Apple removed all six apps and blocked the account. Payments were halted, leaving approximately $110,000 in the balance.
– My initial appeals were unsuccessful, and it took eight weeks for Apple to offer an explanation. They claimed the account was associated with a previously closed fraudulent account, a claim I dispute. The disputed account appears to be an old account that once hosted the original before/after app.
– This incident prompted a broader investigation into potential name collisions with other entities and a renewed push to pursue clarity and accountability.
What’s next and where I’m focusing now
– Prior to the block, roughly 90% of revenue came from Apple’s ecosystem. Since the setback, I have shifted focus to Android, where revenue grew roughly fourfold over eight months, though it still doesn’t cover all development costs. The team remains intact, but the financial pressure is real, as high-skilled graphics and video workloads require substantial investment.
– The path forward includes ongoing legal steps, petitions, and public advocacy to shed light on platform policies and ensure fair treatment for developers. I hope sharing this experience helps other indie developers avoid similar pitfalls and consider diversification strategies.
Key takeaways for fellow developers
– Diversify revenue across stores and platforms to avoid over-reliance on a single ecosystem.
– Start with focused, niche ideas that meet clear, specific needs; broad but complex apps face higher risk and longer time-to-market.
– Test marketing assumptions early with careful budget controls. A single influencer-led campaign can unlock unexpected demand, but rely on multiple channels rather than a single tactic.
– Maintain thorough documentation and source control. When disputes arise, you’ll want easy access to evidence, project files, and communications.
– Prepare for the possibility that major platforms can abruptly change terms or enforce policies. Have contingencies, including a plan for open communication with users, a readiness to pivot, and a strategy for alternative app stores or monetization approaches.
If this story resonates or if you’re facing similar industry challenges, I’d welcome constructive discussion. My goal is to share practical insights and help others navigate the realities of independent app development—without dwelling on complaints, and with a focus on actionable lessons.
Next steps for me involve continuing the legal process, pursuing public discourse to influence policy, and rebuilding a sustainable, diversified app portfolio—now with a stronger emphasis on resilience and platform-agnostic growth.
