Try It Yourself

Want to experience the world’s simplest game?

Download Popcat Meme on the App Store

The Birth of a Ridiculously Simple Idea

It all started with a meme—a silly, looping GIF of a cat’s mouth opening and closing endlessly. The internet loved it, and I thought: What if I could make this even more satisfying? That’s how the Popcat Meme App was born—a game so simple that its entire premise could be explained in three words: Tap the cat.

Most developers overcomplicate things. They add features, menus, and mechanics until their app feels bloated. I wanted to do the opposite. My goal was to create the most minimal, instantly enjoyable experience possible—something that would make people smile within seconds of opening it. And, against all odds, Apple actually approved it.

But getting there wasn’t as easy as I thought.

Why This Meme? Why a Game?

The Popcat meme (that hypnotic looping GIF of a cat’s mouth) was already a viral sensation when I decided to turn it into an app. Key advantages:

Instant recognition: No instructions needed—tap = pop.
Built-in shareability: Meme lovers would spread it organically.
Perfect for Apple’s Games category: More flexible than “Utility” for novelty apps.

But I knew the clock was ticking—memes fade fast.

Why Swift—And Why the Games Category?

When I decided to build the app, I had a choice: use a cross-platform engine like Unity or go native with Swift, Apple’s own programming language. I chose Swift for three reasons:

Performance – A meme app needs to feel snappy. Swift ensures smooth animations, crucial for making the “pop” satisfying.
App Store Friendliness – Apple tends to favor apps built with their own tools, which can mean faster approval times (in theory).
Tiny File Size – The final app was just 2MB, compared to the 20MB+ bloat that often comes with Unity.

I also made a strategic decision to publish it in the Games category instead of Utility or Entertainment. Why? Because Apple’s Games reviewers are more lenient with novelty apps. A “stress-relief tapping game” sounds more legitimate than “a cat GIF with sound.”

The 48-Hour Approval Battle

I submitted the app expecting a quick approval. Instead, I got my first rejection within hours.

Rejection #1: “Your app is too simple.”

Apple’s review team didn’t believe my app provided enough functionality to justify being on the App Store. At this point, many developers would give up or drastically change their app. Instead, I made two small tweaks:

Added a counter (“Pops: 0”) to give players a sense of progression.
Rewrote the description to frame it as a “minimalist stress-relief game” rather than just a meme.

I resubmitted, confident that this would be enough.

Rejection #2: “Lacks substantial functionality.”

Apple still wasn’t convinced. So, I went back and made the experience slightly more tactile:

Added sound feedback (a low pop sound on each tap) to make it feel more interactive.
Added ads to fill the space. Surprising, but a good idea because the app looked less empty.

This time, it worked. Six hours later, I got the email: “Your app has been approved.”

The Lesson Here?

Apple’s reviewers aren’t just looking for complexity—they’re looking for intentional design. By making tiny adjustments (haptics, a counter, better framing, sounds), I turned a “joke app” into something they could justify approving.

Why This Matters for Other Developers

Most indie developers assume they need a groundbreaking idea to succeed. But the truth is, simplicity sells. Here’s what I learned:

The “One-Second Rule” – If your app isn’t fun or interesting within one second of opening it, simplify.
Native > Cross-Platform (for iOS) – Swift made my app smaller, smoother, and easier to approve.
Rejections Are Free UX Feedback – Each “no” from Apple helped me refine the app into something better.

Try It Yourself

Want to experience the world’s simplest game?

Download Popcat Meme on the App Store

Want to build your own minimalist app?

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Final Thoughts

The Popcat Meme App proves that you don’t need a massive budget or a complex idea to succeed on the App Store. Sometimes, the dumbest concepts are the most shareable—and with the right approach, even Apple will approve them.

Now, go build something simple. 🚀