They rejected my free app because it was just a web app, and apparently an iOS app should be more than that. That’s their prerogative, but now they let these in. I should have AI rewrite my web app as slop and resubmit it.

If I start applying elsewhere, do I even mention this?

When applying to jobs, it’s usually not a good idea to badmouth your former employer. No matter how true your statements are it can come across as you being whiny and having a bad attitude. It sucks that we have to lie like this but it’s not like employers are totally honest with us so turnabout is fair play.

Anyway come up with something ambitious-sounding like you wanted to contribute more/in different ways, you wanted a new challenge, etc. Make it sound like you’re excited for the new job, not fleeing the old one. Save telling the truth for anonymous online forums and friends.