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Two weeks after its launch, Apple has revealed a major figure for the app selection on the iPhone Duo. More than 100,000 apps are already available for the foldable iPhone, with thousands more being added daily. The reason behind this number is explained by a detail Apple revealed even before the launch.
The figure comes from Susan Prescott, Apple's global developer relations manager. She mentioned it in a statement to 9to5Mac. For comparison, shortly before launch, Apple had announced nearly 60 customized apps by name in its Newsroom.
The iPhone Duo has been available since October 23rd. How well apps utilize the large inner display will be a key factor in determining whether the device is worthwhile in everyday use.
Key Facts at a Glance
- According to Apple, more than 100,000 apps for the iPhone Duo are already available in the App Store.
- Thousands of adapted apps are expected to be added daily.
- As a first step, Apple recommends that developers recompile using Xcode 27.1.
- Many adapted apps can be identified on the Duo by the „Developed for: iPhone Duo“ label in the App Store.
What Apple Says
Prescott sums up the situation in one sentence. She talks about apps that are already built for the device:
Today, well over 100,000 apps developed for the iPhone Duo are available in the App Store, and thousands of optimized apps are added every day.
The report lists Microsoft Word and Outlook, Zoom, Etsy, and the Halide Mark III camera app as recently updated apps. Word and Outlook were among the apps that Apple had announced before launch but only promised for later.
Why the number is growing so fast
Behind the large number lies primarily a technical hurdle that Apple has kept low. Since October 5th, the App Store has been accepting adapted apps for the iPhone Duo, and as a first step, Apple suggests recompiling existing apps with Xcode 27.1, which adds development support for the iPhone Duo. According to Apple, apps with standard SwiftUI and UIKit components will then automatically adapt to both displays.
Prescott doesn't explain how Apple counts the 100,000 apps. However, I assume that a large portion of these are apps that were recompiled with the new developer version and thus adapt to both displays, without including any specific features for the foldable display. Apps that specifically utilize the folding mechanism, the half-open mode, or Split View with two apps side-by-side are likely to represent a significantly smaller proportion.
What the number means in everyday life
The difference is evident in the German App Store, particularly in Apple's own collections. One day after launch, they comprised 37 apps and 20 games, hand-picked and featuring functions that truly push the duo to their limits. The 100,000, on the other hand, describes breadth, not depth.
I still think the number is the more important news. For everyday use, the most important thing is that an app doesn't appear with black borders on the inner display, and basic adjustments are often sufficient for that. Furthermore, starting in April 2027, all submitted apps and games must include screenshots for the iPhone Duo. I expect that many other developers will follow suit by then.
Which app do you miss most on your iPhone Duo, or which one already makes particularly good use of the inner display? Let us know in the comments which app you would recommend to other Duo owners.
