Apple removed scam app Freecash from the App Store this week after the app spent months harvesting data from iPhone users, reports TechCrunch . Freecash reached the number two spot on the U.S. ‌App Store‌ charts in January after being heavily marketed on TikTok. It promised users up to $35 per hour for watching TikTok content, but it was collecting swaths of user data. Back in January, Wired covered Freecash's deceptive marketing, and MalwareBytes pointed out that the app was gathering data like race, religion, health, and biometrics, with extra data harvested through mobile games that Freecash pushed users to install. Users tricked into downloading Freecash with the promise of free cash found that they could not earn money by using TikTok, but instead were able to earn tiny amounts of cash by playing games like Monopoly Go and Disney Solitaire. The goal was to push users to make in-app purchases or watch paid ads in the apps. Freecash advertised itself as a platform for matching game developers with users likely to spend money in their games. After the Wired report, TikTok pulled the Freecash ads, but Apple did not take action to remove the app. Freecash stayed in the ‌App Store‌ until TechCrunch contacted Apple on Monday, which is when Apple removed the app from the ‌App Store‌. Apple said Freecash violated its guidelines prohibiting scam practices and misleading marketing. Freecash parent company Almedia denied using deceptive marketing techniques and said it was in compliance with Apple's ‌App Store‌ rules. Our apps are fully compliant with the Apple App Store and Google Play Store policies, as demonstrated by the fact that they are live and regularly pass platform reviews. We do not comment on internal product strategy regarding specific app listings. Freecash was downloaded by 5.5 million people across the Apple ‌App Store‌ and Google Play in January 2026, and it has remained high on the ‌App Store‌ charts since then. In addition to using misleading TikTok ads, the app appears to have used bots and fake ratings to drive traffic. The app's developers may have also acquired an existing ‌App Store‌ app to get around Apple's app review system, as the Freecash app was banned at one point in 2024 before an existing ‌App Store‌ app was renamed Freecash and updated with the same functionality. TechCrunch 's full report has more information on Freecash and the scammy tactics the company behind the app used to lure in users. Tag: App Store This article, " Apple Removes Freecash App From App Store After Months of Data Harvesting " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
Multiple cryptocurrency users have lost approximately $9.5 million after a fake Ledger Live app on the macOS App Store drained their funds. A fake version of the Ledger Live macOS app has stolen $9.5M in cryptocurrency. The world of cryptocurrency has always carried significant risks, and even iPhone and iPad users aren't immune to its dangers. Now and then, malicious actors find ways to steal money, be it via outright hacking or through a cams designed to drain cryptowallets. In April 2026, Mac users were hit with the latter after downloading a fake version of the Ledger Live app from the macOS App Store. The fake app was submitted by the publisher "Leva Heal," which has nothing to do with Ledger SAS, the owner and developer of the real Ledger Live app. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Apple has two new Apple Watch activity challenges coming up, celebrating Earth Day and International Dance Day. The Earth Day activity challenge will launch on Wednesday, April 22, while the Dance Day challenge will take place a week later on Wednesday, April 29. To complete the Earth Day challenge, Apple Watch owners will need to complete a workout that lasts for 30 minutes or longer. This Earth Day, April 22, record any 30 minute workout with the Workout app or any app that records workouts to Health to earn this award. The earth will think the world of you. The International Dance Day award can be earned by completing a Dance workout of 20 minutes or more. Show off your dance moves for International Dance Day. Earn this award by recording a Dance workout of 20 minutes or more on April 29. Record it with the Workout app or any app that adds workouts to Health. Apple Watch owners who earn the Earth Day award will unlock a badge in the Fitness app, along with animated stickers. The Dance Day challenge will also unlock a special Fitness app badge and accompanying stickers. Earth Day and International Dance Day are two events that are always part of Apple's ongoing Apple Watch activity challenge schedule. They follow the February Heart Month activity challenge and the January New Year challenge . Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11 Tag: Activity Challenge Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral) This article, " Apple Watch Earth Day and International Dance Day Activity Challenges Launching Later This Month " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
