Elon Musk is once again taking shots at Apple, and this time, he’s accusing the tech giant of freezing his apps out of prime real estate in the App Store.
On Monday, the billionaire entrepreneur and X (formerly Twitter) owner publicly called out Apple in a series of posts, claiming the company is “refusing” to list his X app or his AI chatbot, Grok, in its coveted “Must Have” section for mobile users.
“What Gives?” — Musk Wants Answers
The drama started when the Tesla Owners Silicon Valley account posted a celebratory update that X was now the “No. 1 news app in the USA.” Musk quickly jumped in, tagging Apple directly and questioning why the company was allegedly ignoring X’s success.
In his own words:
“Why are you refusing to list X or Grok in the ‘Must Have’ store section? What gives? Inquiring minds want to know.”
The SpaceX CEO didn’t stop there. He doubled down, suggesting politics could be behind the snub — and reminded his audience that X was the “#1 news app in the world” while Grok was #5 among all apps globally.
A Long History of Tension
While this latest accusation is new, Musk’s beef with Apple isn’t.
Since acquiring Twitter in late 2022 and rebranding it to X, Musk has repeatedly criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook and the company’s policies. From disputes over app store fees to accusations of censorship, the tension between the two powerhouses has been simmering for years.
In late 2022, Musk even claimed Apple had “threatened” to remove Twitter from the App Store — a claim that caused a social media firestorm before the two sides appeared to smooth things over in a high-profile meeting at Apple Park.
Apple’s Response? Silence… For Now
As of Tuesday, Apple has yet to publicly address Musk’s latest accusations. The company is famously tight-lipped when it comes to public spats, often letting speculation swirl without direct comment.
We reached out to Apple for a statement but have not received a response.
Why the ‘Must Have’ Section Matters
For app developers, landing a spot in Apple’s “Must Have” section can be a massive boost. The curated list, featured prominently in the App Store, often drives huge spikes in downloads and visibility.
Being left out — especially for apps with global rankings like X and Grok — can mean missing out on millions of potential new users. That’s why Musk’s claim, if accurate, could have serious implications for app discoverability and potential bias in platform promotion.
Politics or Business?
While Musk floated the idea of political bias, others in the tech industry speculate that Apple’s decisions may be more about brand alignment, user safety, and curatorial discretion than partisan politics.
Still, Musk’s massive following means this latest clash is already generating headlines and stoking debates about Big Tech power, gatekeeping, and freedom of speech in digital spaces.
The Bigger Picture
With Musk’s X already under scrutiny for its moderation policies, ad revenue struggles, and rebranding challenges, the alleged App Store snub adds another layer of drama to the platform’s turbulent evolution.
Meanwhile, Grok — Musk’s AI chatbot that’s integrated directly into X — has been quietly gaining traction, climbing into the top five apps globally despite being relatively new to the market.
💬 What do you think? Is Apple playing politics with app visibility, or is Musk just stirring the pot again? Drop your thoughts below — this tech feud is far from over.
