The traditional gatekeepers of mobile distribution — Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store — have long been criticized for their strict review processes, high fees, and barriers to entry.
Now, Manus (the autonomous AI agent platform from Butterfly Effect Pte. Ltd., recently acquired by Meta) is challenging that status quo by enabling users to build, share, and publish native iOS and Android apps directly from its web interface with minimal friction.
Announced in updates throughout late 2025 and early 2026, this capability democratizes app creation for "vibe coders" — non-technical creators who previously relied on zip files, localhost previews, or complex no-code tools.
What once required months of development, coding expertise, and navigating opaque submission guidelines can now start with a simple natural-language description. Manus handles end-to-end mobile development: frontend UI, backend logic, databases, user authentication, payments (e.g., Stripe), and native features like camera access or push notifications. The platform generates production-ready code compliant with store requirements, then automates packaging and preparation for submission.
1. How Manus Publishing Works: From Prompt to Publish
Manus's mobile app builder, rolled out in versions like 1.6 Max (early 2026), lets users describe an app idea conversationally. The AI agent plans, codes, previews in real-time, iterates on feedback, and deploys.
Key publishing features include:
- Web Sharing & Direct Install: Share a link for instant installation on devices or via progressive web app (PWA) experiences—no store needed for basic distribution.
- Google Play Preparation: Manus packages apps into Android App Bundle (AAB) format and guides upload to the Play Console. Users need only a one-time $25 Google Play Developer account. The platform streamlines signing and compliance checks, reducing manual setup.
- iOS / TestFlight Integration: For Apple, Manus connects to App Store Connect (requiring a $99/year Apple Developer account), creates the app listing, packages the build, and uploads to TestFlight for beta testing. Full public release still follows Apple's review.
This isn't fully automated one-click publishing to live stores — final submission and review remain with Apple/Google — but it removes most technical hurdles. As per Manus's official help center (updated 2026), the process cuts deployment time "from days to minutes" for testing environments.
2. The Fall of the Gatekeeper: Why This Matters for Vibe Coders
Historically, publishing was the biggest bottleneck for hobbyists and AI experimenters.
Traditional app stores demand:
- Compliance with guidelines (e.g., no low-quality spam, proper privacy policies).
- Developer accounts and fees.
- Manual builds, signing, screenshots, and descriptions.
Manus bypasses much of this by producing "store-ready" artifacts. Non-coders who once tinkered in local environments or shared ZIPs can now create functional apps — SaaS tools, personal utilities, AI companions, or niche games—and distribute them broadly.
This aligns with the explosion of AI-generated content. Similar to how Midjourney and Suno flooded creative markets, Manus could unleash a wave of AI-built mobile apps.
Early 2026 reports show thousands of prototypes built in minutes, with users praising the speed: "From idea to working Android app in under an hour — no code written."
3. The Inevitable Flood: Quality Control Challenges Ahead
Critics warn this could overwhelm app stores with low-effort "slop."
Manus apps risk being:
- Buggy or incomplete (AI hallucinations in logic).
- Poorly designed or unpolished.
- Duplicative spam (e.g., thousands of similar "AI chat" or "meme generator" apps).
App stores already struggle: Google Play removed over 2.3 million policy-violating apps in 2025, while Apple's rejection rate hovers around 40-50% for new submissions. Moderators may need AI-assisted filters to detect low-quality AI-generated apps—perhaps scanning for common patterns like repetitive UI elements or generic descriptions.
Yet history suggests top charts won't collapse entirely. Music streaming survived AI-generated tracks dominating uploads because algorithms and user curation favor quality. App stores could follow suit: discoverability relies on ratings, reviews, downloads, and editorial picks. Mass-produced junk may bury itself in search results, while truly useful or viral apps rise.
4. Hope and Hype: The Future of AI-Driven Distribution
Manus's approach isn't revolutionary in isolation — tools like Adalo, Bubble, or Glide offered no-code publishing before—but combining autonomous AI agents with native mobile builds and streamlined store prep is a leap. It empowers solo creators, startups without engineers, and experimenters to test ideas quickly.
For now, the "RIP" headline is premature. Apple and Google retain final say through rigorous (if sometimes inconsistent) reviews. But as AI lowers creation barriers, the volume of submissions will test their systems like never before.
If you're tempted to jump in, Manus provides a clear guide: describe your app, refine via chat, preview, then publish/test via integrated flows. The barrier has fallen — whether that's liberation or chaos depends on what creators build next.
The app economy just got a lot more accessible... and a lot noisier.
Also read:
- OpenAI Brings Ads to ChatGPT: A New Era of Accessible AI with "Sponsored Recommendations"
- X Declares 2026 the Year of the Creator: Revamped Monetization and Ongoing Experiments
- Replit's Groundbreaking Launch: Turning Ideas into Mobile Apps with AI Magic
Thank you!
