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by adam_fallon_ 2206 days ago
I copied an app from the App Store. Their business model was free desktop application but $20 for the iOS client and I really wanted it so I made a 'clean-room' implementation with CloudKit and charged $0.99 for a one-off cross platform sale.

Bit brazen, but the idea isn't entirely unique.

Edit: P.s email me at adam@adamfallon.com if you would like a promo code to get the app for free :).

* https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nitronotes/id1502080216

2 comments

Simplicity. I love it when < 1MB apps provide utility.
Unfortunately can't take credit on iOS here - the same app is 1.4mb on iOS - I assume because it isn't statically linking some part of the CloudKit syncing framework on macOS whereas it does on iOS? Or maybe SwiftUI framework is dynamic on macOS due to Catalyst - not really sure.
That's still way smaller than your average iOS app.
What kind of revenue did you get from it?
Close to $2k with very minimal self-promo across a few sites. I mostly made it for me.