The Popcat meme game took the internet by storm, turning a viral cat GIF into an addictive tapping experience. But how did this ridiculously simple app get approved by Apple in just 48 hours? Here’s the inside story—and why minimalism can be a winning strategy for app developers.
The Birth of the Popcat Meme Game
It all started with a viral GIF—a looping animation of a cat’s mouth opening and closing. The internet loved it, and the idea struck: What if tapping the cat made it even more satisfying?
That’s how the Popcat app was born—a game so simple its entire premise could be explained in three words: Tap the cat.
Most apps overcomplicate things with menus, upgrades, and complex mechanics. But the Popcat meme game went the opposite direction—pure, instant fun with no learning curve.
Why This Meme Worked as a Game
The Popcat meme was already viral, making it the perfect candidate for an app. Key advantages:
✅ Instant recognition – No instructions needed. Tap = pop.
✅ Built-in shareability – Meme lovers spread it naturally.
✅ Perfect for Apple’s Games category – More flexible than “Utility” for novelty apps.
But there was a catch—memes fade fast. The challenge was getting Apple to approve it before the hype died down.
Why Swift & the Games Category Mattered
When building the app, the choice was between cross-platform engines (like Unity) or native development with Swift. Here’s why Swift won:
🚀 Performance – Swift ensures smooth animations, making the “pop” satisfying.
📱 App Store friendliness – Apple favors apps built with their own tools.
📦 Tiny file size – Just 2MB, compared to Unity’s 20MB+ bloat.
Publishing in the Games category was also strategic. Apple’s Games reviewers are more lenient with novelty apps. Framing it as a “stress-relief tapping game” worked better than calling it “a cat GIF with sound.”
The 48-Hour Approval Battle
Submitting the app seemed easy—until Apple pushed back.
Rejection #1: “Your app is too simple.”
Apple’s review team didn’t believe it had enough functionality. The fix?
✔ Added a counter (“Pops: 0”) for a sense of progression.
✔ Rewrote the description to call it a “minimalist stress-relief game.”
Rejection #2: “Lacks substantial functionality.”
Apple still wasn’t convinced. So, two more tweaks:
✔ Added sound feedback (a soft “pop” on each tap).
✔ Included ads (ironically, this made the app look more complete).
Finally—approval in 48 hours.
Key Lessons for App Developers
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The “One-Second Rule” – If your app isn’t fun within one second, simplify it.
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Native > Cross-Platform (for iOS) – Swift means faster, smoother, and easier approvals.
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Rejections Are Free UX Feedback – Each “no” from Apple can help refine your app.
Final Thoughts
The Popcat meme game proves that simple, shareable ideas can succeed—even on the App Store. Sometimes, the dumbest concepts are the most viral. Even with the right tweaks, Apple will approve them.
Want to build your minimalist app? Start small, think viral, and embrace simplicity!
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