App Store Scam of the Week: ‘Update My Phone & Apps: Guide’ by Tair Olzhasev
“Update My Phone & Apps: Guide” is an iOS app from developer Tair Olzhasev. By default, the only thing it does for free is give you a “Check for Updates” button that launches the system Settings app. It doesn’t even take you to the General → Software Update screen. It just takes you to the root level of Settings. Everything else it purports to do requires a $15/week subscription. That’s $780 per…
The iOS app “Update My Phone & Apps: Guide” by developer Tair Olzhasev is the subject of an App Store scam this week. The app offers a free “Check for Updates” button that launches the system Settings app, but it doesn't even take users to the General → Software Update screen. Instead, it directs them to the root level of Settings.
Additional features, such as clearing device status, providing a one-tap shortcut to system update settings, and offering a daily tip of the day, are all locked behind a $15/week subscription, amounting to $780 per year. A three-day free trial is available before the weekly billing begins. The app also offers an optional Premium for extra guidance and tools.
Despite its claims, the app does nothing that iOS doesn't already automatically provide to all its users. This app was discovered by a user on Mastodon, whose father was unknowingly paying $8/week ($416 per year) for it. Olzhasev's other two apps, Thermal Camera Filter Effects and Settings App: Simulator, are priced at $15 each.
Written by urgent.news from Daring Fireball's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
