Is Apple CallKit function used in Azure Communication Services?

Question

Is Apple CallKit function used in Azure Communication Services?

GenixPRO 26

Hi Team,

We've implemented Azure Communication Services in our native Android and iOS apps to enable 1:1 and group calling (audio+video). During app review, iOS team indicated that CallKit functionality is being used in the app and is non-compliant for China launch. We do not use CallKit at all in our code base and wanted to check whether Azure Communication Services uses CallKit? Is it possible to check with the product team and confirm?

Thanks.
GenixPRO Team

Answer 1

brtrach-MSFT 7,386 Microsoft Employee

@GenixPRO Thank you for your interest in ACS and iOS compatibility regarding CallKit inclusion.

Can you please verify if you are using the Azure Communication Calling iOS SDK?

Please note that version and later have included CallKit as part of a preview experience. Those release notes can be found here. If you are using the iOS SDK, then yes, CallKit would be included there.

If you are not using the ACS iOS SDK, please let us know so we can investigate if further parts of ACS have the CallKit functionality elsewhere.

GenixPRO 26 Reputation points

2022-09-07T03:35:49.423+00:00

@brtrach-MSFT yes we are using Azure Communication Calling iOS SDK. CallKit functionality is to be deactivated in apps for China, per response below from Apple app review team.

"Recently, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) requested that CallKit functionality be deactivated in all apps available on the China App Store."

This means if we use Azure Communication Calling iOS SDK then we cannot launch our app in China. Unless there's any provision to disable/deactivate CallKit for China. Does ACS natively deactivate CallKit for all China originating VOIP calls?

Thanks.
brtrach-MSFT 7,386 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2022-09-16T03:53:24.953+00:00

@GenixPRO , we are checking with the product group. Please allow us a moment to hear back.
brtrach-MSFT 7,386 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2022-09-16T04:17:13.13+00:00

@GenixPRO We heard back from the product group rather quickly.

It appears this has happened in the past for other VOIP applications. In those instances, the developers needed to escalate with the app review team and showcase how their app does not use CallKit.

You'll need to explain that an SDK you are using has CallKit headers but that's it. You are not using the APIs in anyway within your app.

Below are two threads where other developers had success by taking this route.

https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/103083#320740
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/51016603/disabling-callkit-from-china-store-best-approach/51319158#51319158

This should get you across the line. Let us know if you hit any further roadblocks during your escalation process.

Answer 2

hi @brtrach-MSFT Thanks for your reply. The links shared above appear to be for developers using CallKit and implementing code to not instantiate app in China. Our issue is slightly different.

We're using Azure Calling SDK for voice+video call and the native UI Library. So we're not implementing CallKit functionality. That said, Apple review keeps rejecting our app for release in China and unfortunately we've had to delist our App from China AppStore.

In your reply above you've mentioned "You'll need to explain that an SDK you are using has CallKit headers but that's it. You are not using the APIs in anyway within your app."

Is there any plan in ACS Calling SDK roadmap to not use the CallKit headers altogether? For now, we'll again go back to Apple review and mention what you've suggested. That said, it seems like an uphill task at the moment.

Thnx.

Answer 3

Alessandro Rimoldi 0

@GenixPRO same problem here. Have you found a solution? At the moment we have delisted china from AppStore but this is not a solution.

Is Apple CallKit function used in Azure Communication Services?

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