“4.3”

Hi everyone, I'd like to raise a concern about the transparency and fairness of Guideline 4.3 reviews. A rejection that says an app duplicates existing functionality or is indistinguishable from widely available apps should explain what specifically led to that conclusion. General categories, followed by an instruction to make substantial improvements, do not give developers an actionable path forward. Which functionality is the problem? Which aspects need to change? What standard would satisfy the reviewer? Without concrete examples or a clear threshold, the assessment feels highly subjective. Developers can spend significant time building a product and still be left guessing what would make it acceptable. In my view, independently developed apps should be able to compete in existing categories. Products naturally share basic functionality when they solve the same problem. Competition can come from a better workflow, a clearer interface, privacy, pricing, accessibility or serving a different audienc

Hi, We have an app live on the App Store since August 2020. We have made some 50+ updates on the app with minor & major changes throughout these 3+ years. A few months ago we submitted an update as usual with some minor changes and a new feature but got 'Design Spam, 4.3' rejection saying: We noticed your app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as apps submitted to the App Store by other developers, with only minor differences. 1st question, how does an app that has been doing the same things for 3+ years suddenly gets 'Design Spam' ???? Then we sent a message to App Review with some screenshots of our app's update history taken from App Store Connect console and a message stating the same question as above. We got a reply: Hello, Thank you for your reply. During our review, we found that this app duplicates the content and functionality and icon of other apps submitted to the App Store, which is considered a form of spam and is not appropriate for the App Store. Now they mentioned

Hi everyone, I am seeking advice from developers who have successfully resolved or navigated Guideline 4.3(b) (Design: Spam / Saturated Category) rejections, especially within the dating or social networking space. App Overview & Core Features: Our app is a Diary-based Dating / Emotional Connection Platform. Unlike traditional photo-first, swipe-deck dating apps, our core mechanics rely on authentic emotional reflection: Journal/Diary-First Discovery: Users write daily diary entries reflecting their thoughts and emotions. Matching and interaction occur based on mutual empathy with these journal entries. Identity Verification: All users are identity-verified to maintain authenticity and safety. 24/7 AI Moderation: We run continuous AI verification on profile content, posts, and real-time chat to prevent spam, abuse, and inappropriate content. Text-to-Profile UX: Users read daily self-written introductions first, and profiles only unlock after reading the text. Current Situation: We received a 4.3

Hi, My app Stiktl (Apple ID 6782665395) has been on the App Store since July. Version 1.0.2 was approved in September, but that build shipped with a .NET MAUI framework bug that freezes the app when people import stickers on iPhone 12 and newer. I fixed it right away, but every update since then gets rejected under 4.3(a) with the same generic text about sharing a similar binary, metadata or concept with other apps. It's the same app, same code, same developer. I'm a solo dev from Mexico and I wrote it myself, it's not from a template and I don't have any other apps. Right now users are stuck with the broken version and I can't ship the fix. I already changed the store text and screenshots back to what was approved, replied in App Store Connect, and filed an appeal. The answer is always the same template, so I don't know what to change. Could someone from App Review tell me what exactly is being matched, and with which app? I'm happy to change whatever it is, I just need to know what it is. ThanApp R

Hello everyone, I’m reaching out to seek advice and support regarding a confusing issue I’m experiencing with my app’s review process. App ID: 6744330283 Here’s the situation: Versions 1.0 and 1.1 of my app were approved and successfully published on the App Store. However, updates 1.2 and 2.0 have both been rejected for Guideline 4.3 – Spam. The rejection happens extremely fast – less than 10 seconds after the app goes “In Review”, it gets rejected. There is no indication that the reviewer even launched the app. This is very frustrating because: The app has real user reviews, In-App Purchases, and active paying users. My app is 100% original – it is not a copy or template-based app. Even worse, the review process for versions 1.2 and 2.0 took over 7 days before even starting, and then they were rejected instantly, again without being opened. I’m happy to cooperate and improve my app further, but I feel like this may be a misunderstanding or a mistaken flag by an automated process. Has anyone experie

I'm building an iPhone app that is primarily an editor: it renders a pixel-accurate Lock Screen preview for the user's specific device model (clock, date, widget row, Dynamic Island), isolates the photo's subject on-device with Vision so it overlaps the clock for the depth effect, measures contrast behind the clock, and generates backgrounds procedurally with Metal. It also ships a small library of original images I create myself. Since June 2026, 4.3(b) names wallpaper apps explicitly. Has anyone shipped something in this space recently? Specifically: Did the presence of any image library push the review toward the wallpaper category, regardless of the tooling? What did your screenshots and subtitle emphasise? Which primary category did you use? Any experience appreciated.

Hello Apple Developer Support & Community, I’m reaching out regarding the unexpected termination of my Apple Developer Program account, associated with App ID: 6744330283. Recently, my app was flagged under Guideline 4.3 - Spam, and I was asked to make necessary changes. I followed all guidance provided by Apple, including a phone call with an App Review team member, who clarified the steps I should take. I did not submit any further update after that call. However, before I had the chance to upload the new, compliant version of my app, my entire developer account was terminated without a clear explanation or additional warning. I believe this was a misunderstanding, as I was actively working on compliance and fully committed to resolving the issue. My app is not spam I only followed Apple’s instructions I never uploaded a new version after my call with App Review No specific violation or example of “spam” was shown to me I’ve submitted an official appeal via the App Review Board, but I’m hoping

Hi, I’m looking for technical advice on a repeated App Review issue with our app, ASK VPN (Apple ID: 67...). ASK VPN is a simple consumer VPN app for iOS. It uses Apple’s Network Extension / Packet Tunnel APIs. Users sign in, retrieve their assigned VPN profile, view account status/expiry, and connect through a single main connection flow. The app was built specifically for this project. We did not purchase or reuse a VPN template or source code from another developer. I designed the product flow and UI, and used Codex AI as a development assistant. Our rejection history is: Guideline 4.3(a): Apple said the app had a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept to apps submitted by other developers, including one associated with a terminated Developer Program account. We reviewed the app, changed product-specific functionality and UI, added onboarding, privacy/VPN disclosures, localization, support features, diagnostics, and clarified the implementation to App Review. The latest rejection is now Guidelin

my app in app store: https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/%E4%B8%89%E5%9B%BD%E6%88%98%E4%BA%89%E7%AD%96%E7%95%A5slg/id6741073714?ct=Tap725796 my app in android store: https://www.taptap.cn/app/725796?os=android Hello, Thank you for your response. Your app still provides the same feature set as other apps submitted to the App Store for review. Submitting similar or repackaged apps is a form of spam that creates clutter and makes it difficult for users to discover new apps. To resolve the issue it would be appropriate to revise your app to provide a unique experience or submit a new app that does not repackage the content and functionality of other apps on the App Store. You may also choose to post a question in the Apple Developer Forums. Best regards, App Review This is a cross-era slg game. Players can customize and create the generals' skills they want in the game. The game has been updated for half a year. After the basic functions of the slg game are realized, the game's special functions and custom skills are b