JW Language App - being retired

[Christopher Baloloy]

It was announced earlier in the meeting that the JW Language App will be retired soon. I forgot the exact month, but once it’s removed, it won’t be available for download anymore. Those who already have it installed can still use it, but there won’t be any more updates. The last update was actually about three years ago anyway. The announcement also mentioned that there are now many apps and online tools that can serve the same purpose.

 

I’ve always had the app installed, but I rarely opened it. I was just wondering if anyone here has been using it regularly—maybe not as much as the JW Library app, but still often?
 

[johnnyjw01]

The worst thing will be that the other apps won’t know the ‘theocratic’ terminology

[Christopher Baloloy]

3 minutes ago, johnnyjw01 said:

The worst thing will be that the other apps won’t know the ‘theocratic’ terminology

 

That I agree. I was wondering if it was cost that drive the decision so I asked ChatGPT how much does it cost to maintain the app in both Apple & Android App stores and here’s what I got:

 

For an app like the JW Language, the actual cost to keep it available on the stores is surprisingly not very high. The expensive part is usually maintenance and updates, not the store listing itself.

 

Here’s a realistic breakdown.

 

 

 

 

📱 Cost to Keep an App on the Stores

 

 

 

🍎 Apple App Store

 

 

Developer account fee:

 

• $99 per year to maintain the developer account and keep apps published.

 

 

If that fee isn’t paid, the apps under that account can be removed or can’t be updated.

 

 

 

 

🤖 Google Play Store

 

 

Developer account fee:

 

• $25 one-time registration fee (no annual renewal).

 

 

Once paid, apps can stay listed indefinitely.

 

 

 

✅ Minimum cost to keep an app on both stores:

 

• First year: $124 total
• After that: $99 per year (mainly for Apple)

 

 

So purely from the store perspective, maintaining an app is very cheap.

 

 

 

 

🛠 The Real Cost: App Maintenance

 

 

Even if the app itself is free, maintaining it requires work:

 

Typical annual maintenance includes:

 

• Updating for new iOS and Android versions
• Fixing bugs
• Security updates
• Compatibility with new devices
• Server hosting (if the app connects to a database)

 

 

Estimated cost:

 

• $5,000 – $30,000 per year for a small to medium app.

 

 

Maintenance is often 15–20% of the original development cost each year.

 

 

 

 

🧠 Why an Organization Might Retire an App

 

 

For an app like JW Language, the issue probably isn’t the store fee. It’s more likely:

 

1. Maintenance workload
   Every year Apple and Android change their systems.
2. Low usage
   If only a small percentage of users open the app.
3. Overlap with other tools
   Translation apps and websites now do the same job.
4. Developer resources
   It’s better to focus on JW Library, which millions use.

 

 

 

 

💡 Interesting detail:

You mentioned the last update was about 3 years ago. That’s actually a long time in the mobile world—most apps update every few months to stay compatible with new operating systems.

[Jim Jam]

Why can't they just host it on jw.org for everyone to download if it's to avoid paying apple store/play store?

[Eejay]

1 hour ago, Christopher Baloloy said:

I was just wondering if anyone here has been using it regularly

I never found it very useful, probably becaiuse I wasn't using it to learn a language.

 

I  use Google translate when I meet other language speakers because you can have an immediate convertsation.

[carlos]

1 hour ago, Jim Jam said:

Why can't they just host it on jw.org for everyone to download if it's to avoid paying apple store/play store?

 

The problem is that Android and iOS keep evolving and changing the requirements all the time. We developed a simple free app at work which didn't collect any data but finally we had to withdraw after a few years it because it had to be rewritten all the time to keep up with the most recent versions. Not to mention the constant paperwork to keep up with the constant legal changes and what not. We made it with the best of intentions but it became a huge time hog.

 

I imagine something similar happened to JW Language. The number of regular users was quite limited and it was not worth all the work and paperwork.

[Brandon]

One solution is to move to PWA (progressive web app) - they can be installed on any OS and don’t require the ‘upkeep’ due to operating system changes, so they’re better at surviving the test of time.

[bvr]

I'll put it in two points it why the language app was being retired:

• 1. Maintenance

  Maintaining an app actually takes a lot of work and resources. We have to keep updating it so it works with new versions of operating systems like Windows, iOS, and Android. Each platform updates regularly, so the app has to be tested and adjusted again and again to make sure everything still works properly. There are also fees involved with developer programs, app stores, and the infrastructure needed to support the app. All of this requires time and money.

  The more apps we maintain, the more resources are required. As mentioned during the 2025 Annual Meeting, the organization is encouraging more brothers and sisters to focus on the ministry and to serve where the need is greater. So it’s reasonable for us to ask whether the language app still serves the same purpose today. If it no longer benefits most of the brotherhood the way it once did, it may not be the best use of our resources. Some of the brothers and sisters who were previously maintaining the JW Language app may now be helping with other projects like the JW Library app.

• 2. Usage

  When the language app first came out, it was extremely helpful, especially for those of us serving in foreign-language territories. It gave us quick access to common phrases used in the ministry and during meetings, which made communication much easier. At the time, there were not many convenient alternatives available, so having a dedicated app with built-in phrases was very useful.

  But about a decade later, things have changed a lot. There are now many online tools and AI-powered services that can provide similar help and sometimes even better assistance. Instead of relying on a standalone app with a limited fixed list of phrases, we can now use tools that translate, help with pronunciation, explain meanings, and even allow us to ask questions or practice conversations. Because of this, the way we use language tools has shifted. Rather than depending on a single dedicated app, many of us now use a variety of online tools and AI that offer much more flexibility and capability.

 

PS: Watchtower Formstack is still open for a limited time: Formstack 😁😁

Edited 7 hours ago by bvr

[Ysaias]

My teen daughter uses Duolingo to learn Haitian Creole, a language that is not in JW Language.