App Store Approval Do's and Don'ts

Let’s make sure you avoid common pitfalls!

Nearly 400,000

app submissions rejected for privacy violation

Over 153,000

app submissions rejected for spam, copycats or misleading users

Nearly 29,000

app submissions rejected for containing hidden or undocumented features

Latest on X

My 5th app’s mvp just got rejected because I used lorem ipsum text in the screenshots. Learn from me and don’t do that :sweat_smile:
— Danielle  | daniellelewis.dev (@dlewisdev) February 25, 2024

If your app depends on the internet, don't forget to test it without an internet connection. I got rejected because of this.

Now, I have implemented a networking check and display an error if there is no internet.#iosdev #indiedev #buildinpublic pic.twitter.com/NAgpXHwxmy
— Mario (@mario_apps_dev) February 25, 2024

Releasing an iOS/macOS app is not just about uploading it to App Store Connect. There are a lot of steps needed to be done before you can hit the release buttons :zany_face:.

I'm at the phase to create a landing page for my new app now.

Where are you?
— An Tran (@antranapp) February 21, 2024

Everybody told me to change my #AppStore screens for a better conversation rate. Raw device screens will not work they told me.

Guess what? ... Conversion is down from 19% to 2.4%.
:joy: pic.twitter.com/P1xumygFZA
— Andreas (@sometimesfrunny) February 22, 2024

Reasons for App Store Rejection:

No privacy policy
(5.1.1 Privacy Violations)
Poor UI
(1.1 User Interface Issues)
Using private API
(2.5.2 Legal Requirements)
Mimicking another App
(4.3 Spam)
Inaccurate description
(1.0 App Store Review Guidelines Compliance)

Broken Links
(2.5.2 Legal Requirements)
App that promotes Gambling
(4.7 Gambling, Gaming, and Lotteries)
Crashes and Bugs
(2.1 Performance)
Sharing personal user data
(5.1.1 Privacy Violations)
Missing Metadata
(2.1 Performance)

Intellectual property
(2.3 Intellectual Property)
Plagiarism
(4.1 Copycats)
Poor Performance
(2.1 Performance)
Unfinished apps
(2.5.2 Legal Requirements)
Payment System
(3.1 Payments)

How to Pass an App Store Review

Do's	Don'ts
Prioritize Privacy and Security	Engage in Misleading Practices
Use Authorized APIs and Technologies	Submit Spam or Copycat Apps
Understand the Review Process	Overlook App Store Optimization (ASO)
Leverage Apple's Resources	Neglect User Reviews and Feedback
Engage with Beta Testers	Overlook App Testing

Congrats to:

Just hit 1k ARR on my apps:tada:

To some, this might seem small, but for me, it's a huge milestone.

It's always rewarding to reflect on the journey and see how far we've come.#buildinpublic pic.twitter.com/rmy9CXQlAt
— Sam Adejumo (@samadejumo98) February 25, 2024

Let's go... #AppStore #iosdev pic.twitter.com/9MVI6keIQl
— Arima Jain :zap:️ (@ArimaJain) February 23, 2024

My "little" app business reached over 7.5k active subscribers on iOS and Android. It's a pretty even split between both platforms (50.44% vs 49,56%).

Hope to reach 10k soon :rocket:#buildinpublic pic.twitter.com/fx0BtsXk0R
— Sebastian Röhl (@SebastianRoehl) February 24, 2024

Do: Prioritize Privacy and Security

With over 400,000 app submissions rejected for privacy violations (5.1.1 Privacy Violations), you don’t want to experience the same! Your app must adhere to the highest standards of user data protection. This includes:

Implementing robust encryption for data transmission.
Requesting user consent for data collection in clear, understandable terms.
Ensuring that third-party libraries or SDKs used in your app comply with Apple's privacy guidelines.

Don't: Engage in Misleading Practices

Nearly 24,000 apps were blocked or removed for bait-and-switch tactics (1.0 App Store Review Guidelines Compliance). Avoid misleading users about your app's functionality. Ensure that your app's description, screenshots and previews accurately reflect its purpose and functionality.

Do: Use Authorized APIs and Technologies

Apple's development tool, Xcode, checks that apps use authorized technologies. Your app must not reference private APIs or use known malware (2.5.2 Legal Requirements). Always stay updated with the latest development guidelines and ensure your app complies with them.

Don't: Submit Spam or Copycat Apps

Over 153,000 app submissions were rejected for being spam, copycats or misleading, it's clear that originality matters (4.3 Spam). Focus on creating unique and valuable content for users, rather than imitating existing apps or flooding the market with low-effort applications.

Do: Understand the Review Process

Each submission is examined carefully to ensure it meets the standards (1.0 App Store Review Guidelines Compliance). In 2022, Apple reviewed over 6.1 million app submissions, with nearly 90% receiving a review within 24 hours. Familiarize yourself with the review guidelines and be prepared to make any necessary adjustments to your app.

Don't: Overlook App Store Optimization (ASO)

ASO is critical for visibility and success. Use relevant keywords in your app's title and description, but avoid keyword stuffing, which can lead to rejection (2.1 Performance). High-quality screenshots and videos that showcase your app's features can also improve your app's appeal.

Do: Leverage Apple's Resources

Apple provides extensive resources to support developers, including guidelines, tutorials and direct support. Take advantage of these resources to improve your app's chance of approval.

Don't: Neglect User Reviews and Feedback

While Apple blocked more than 147 million fraudulent ratings and reviews in 2022, genuine user feedback is invaluable. Encourage feedback and address user concerns promptly to improve your app's quality and user satisfaction.

Do: Engage with Beta Testers

Leverage feedback from beta testers to refine your app before the final submission (2.1 Performance and 1.1 User Interface Issues).

Don’t: Overlook App Testing

Thoroughly test your app across multiple devices and OS versions to identify and fix any potential issues before submission (1.1 User Interface Issues).

Submission Checklist

Here's a checklist based on the Apple guide to cover requirements:

Developer Account Setup: Ensure you have an active developer account with Apple.
App Store Guidelines Review: Familiarize yourself with the latest App Store Review Guidelines.
Prepare App Information: Gather all necessary app information, including name, description, keywords, and more.
Test for App Compatibility: Ensure your app is compatible with the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
Conduct Beta Testing: Utilize beta testing to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments.
Localization and Legal Requirements: If your app supports multiple languages, ensure all translations are accurate. Also, verify compliance with legal requirements in all regions where your app will be available.
Submission Documentation: Prepare and organize all required documentation for submission, including privacy policy and support URLs.

By focusing on privacy, security, originality and user experience, you can increase your chances of approval and success on the App Store. Remember, the goal of the App Store is to provide a safe, reliable platform for users and a great opportunity for developers to showcase their apps and grow their business.

Congrats to: