Apple will finally let you shut off those annoying requests to rate apps

Nothing's worse for your app experience than endless demands for ratings -- but, thankfully, those days might finally be over. If you really hate those pop-ups, you'll be able to make it so that you never have to see one again.

Since before we started playing Candy Crush, app review prompts have been a Wild West of sorts with no set rules for developers to follow. They could hit us up for ratings as often as they pleased -- which can be frustrating for users after the fifth pop-up in as many days.

Apple started to clamp down on the persistent review prompts earlier this year with a new ratings API for developers, introduced along with the iOS 10.3 beta. The new tool was part of an overhaul of the review policy, which also gave developers the ability to respond to user comments directly -- but it wasn't mandatory.

New language in the App Store Review Guidelines spotted by 9to5 Mac suggests the star-thirsty pop-ups will be handled differently with the new App Store redesign coming with iOS 11. Now, developers will have to use the API for their app review protocols no matter what, instead of being able to set up their own custom systems.

The API could actually make it easier for users to drop some stars on their favorite apps, which could make them more likely to leave a positive review. It allows developers to ask for ratings within their apps using the standard Apple-approved review prompt message, rather than being redirected to the App Store like the old system. Check it out below:

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Developers will only be allowed to ping users for ratings three times a year, and once the app has been reviewed, it can't show the message again for another year, even after major updates.

And if you really hate the review requests? You'll now be able to shut them off entirely with a new option in your Settings. All the app fun, with none of the overbearing need for validation.