“4.3”

We have developed an app called FastUP, which has been constantly reminding us of 4.3(a). We have uploaded the original evidence of the developed code and UI design drafts, but it still keeps giving us this problem. There will be no manual response and no consideration of our explanations. It always just reacts mechanically. This is a repetitive application. Could you please explain how to apply it repeatedly when our code is original and the UI is also original? Is it possible that there can only be one tool-type app in the AppStore? ？ Every time during the process of applying for the phone communication, we were told there was no problem, but they still gave us incorrect information and kept deceiving us. Is this not discrimination against us just because we applied for the Chinese voice phone service?

I'm in the process of updating an app that uses complications that originally had a deployment target of watchOS 4.3. These complications used CLKComplicationSupportedFamilies defined in Info.plist. There are no CLKComplicationDescriptors in use. Updated complications that use a new CLKComplicationDescriptor.identifier display correctly in the complication picker, but the original complication that's using CLKDefaultComplicationIdentifier displays -- or --- depending on placement. This happens whether you are using a ComplicationController instance or WidgetKit. Using CLKDefaultComplicationIdentifier as the identifier when creating the CLKComplicationDescriptor doesn't work: the complication doesn't appear in the picker. My question is there a way to upgrade an older complication configured by the customer to a new complication identifier? I'm not using WidgetKit for this project so a widgetMigrator isn't an option. -ch

Hi! My app was rejected on Nov 4 due to 4.3 Design Spam. After communicating with the App Review team on Nov 4, the decision was still the same, so I submitted an appeal to the App Review Board that day. They mentioned there are apps that are providing the same functionalities but I have done my research on App Store and reached out to potential users in London to gauge the interest. I believe my app and its direction is unique. I still haven’t received any update and I totally understand that the appeals process can take some time. It's just that I am really passionate about getting this app into the public to get people on it and I have no idea on what is wrong and how I can help make it right. Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get a response from the App Review Board? Thank you for any help!

Hello, The issues we previously identified still need your attention. If you have any questions, we are here to help. Reply to this message in App Store Connect and let us know. Review Environment Submission ID: f14dec0a-1269-438e-b483-6d806b3d17bf Review date: April 13, 2026 Review Device: iPhone 17 Pro Max Version reviewed: 1.0 Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam Issue Description We noticed the app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as other apps you already submitted to the App Store, with only minor differences. Submitting similar or repackaged apps is a form of spam that creates clutter and makes it difficult for users to discover new apps. Next Steps Since we do not accept spam apps on the App Store, we encourage you to review the app concept and submit a unique app with distinct content and functionality. Resources Some factors that contribute to a spam rejection may include: Submitting an app with the same source code or assets as other apps already submitted to the App Store Cre

Hi,My following question contains two parts: My source code organization & the countries description with my issue.1. Source code organizationI am actually working on an application for eleven countries. All these countries have the same source code but not the same functionalities. Indeed, some features are only available for some countries (feature flag).2. Countries description on iTunes ConnectOn iTunes Connect and for an app version, some countries aren't available (example: Poland). What're the best practices to describe a functionality in its own language and that'is only available for this country(feature flag)? I would like to conserve one source code and one app on the app store without making different apps (1 per country) in order to avoid the section 4.3 (Spam) from the reviews guidelines.Thank you in advance.

Hello, I posted this on one of the other forums, but I think it fits better here. One of our apps has been rejected under Guideline 4.3 for spam. Our studio has been on the App Store for 10+ years and this particular app has been available for over two years without previous issue. We have submitted a couple responses to the original rejection outlining why we think our app is unique and not spam and unfortunately we have been rejected. I have also submitted an appeal and requested a phone call. This is compounded by a live issue happening in our app right now that requires a build to unblock. I added that to our review notes for submission but was rejected. We believe we have been flagged as spam in error and would like to release builds to our active players ASAP to get them unblocked and provide further value to them. Beyond submitting an appeal and requesting a call is there anything else I can do?

According to Apple's new policy ( https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=84w3e5bm ) - bug fixes will no longer be delayed over guideline violations except for those related to legal issues. You’ll instead be able to address guideline violations in your next submission.. In 2019 updates to my apps were rejected due to apple Guidelines (note - not safety, not legal - guidelines) violation 4.3 - smap (I have only few of them and they are NOT reskins - they do share similar functionality, though not the same, and different graphics - they are similar only in a way any match 3 is similar to each other). A week ago I wanted to publish and update (SDK update and bugfixed, not gameplay or etc) again, and was still rejected - though obviously it should be allowed. Correct me if I am wrong or misunderstood the sentence from the top of my post. Otherwise whom do I contact to change my reviewer for the one that follows rules? Thank you

Hi everyone, I submitted an appeal to the App Review Board on May 27, related to a rejection under Guideline 4.3(a). (We noticed your app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as other apps you already submitted to the App Store, with only minor differences.) (The app is named LucidYou and was submitted through my personal developer account.). So far, I haven't received any update or response in App Store Connect or via email. I fully understand that WWDC may have delayed reviews, and I appreciate how busy this time of year is. Still, I just want to make sure my appeal was received and is still being considered. Has anyone else experienced longer-than-usual response times for appeals recently? Should I follow up via App Store Connect again or wait a bit longer? Thanks in advance — any advice or shared experience would be appreciated!

I just received a similar note for my updated and new apps is rejected from Apple for many of our apps, although they were not in review.Guideline 4.3 - Design We noticed that your app provides the same feature set as many of the other apps you've submitted to the App Store;i Recieved the same note on my all apps that is rejected, what are the main reason to rejection my all app verion from itunes developer account, please give me brief detail about rejected reason, and tell me how to take an action for all app in review and live on account, i am very confused about this matter. so please request to you kindly focus on my apps rejected reason issue and give me proper guidelines to solve and update the next verion of these apps. thanks.developer account links, while my all rejected with the different obejects, toipc and concept.https://itunes.apple.com/us/developer/saurabh-gupta/id976015972rejected apps ids:12581071251266592533124883962312672935761198916667127552218512650539431278920151

I got this below rejection. I was asking why and which aspects of mine was a spam/similarity to which app, but they told me that they can't give a review for my app. I don't know how to resolve this, because I think I did this app done by myself and copying nothing from outside. Can anyone help me? Thank you so much. Hello, The issues we previously identified still need your attention. Review Environment Submission ID: cb12182d-504f-4c1f-851b-1595820da7ec Review date: January 03, 2025 Version reviewed: 1.0.2 Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam We continued to notice your app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as apps submitted to the App Store by other developers, with only minor differences. Next Steps Since we do not accept spam apps on the App Store, we encourage you to review your app concept and submit a unique app with distinct content and functionality.

Hello Apple Developer commuinty! We have been developing a VPN client app with unique protocol for quite a while, and now it have come to publishing it in App Store/Google play. I know that publishing a VPN service requires organization(which i cant register because of my life situation), that why i have choosen to make a client. User is NOT necessarily required to use official hosting, theres an option of importing external key. App itself, doesnt contain any hardcoded server credentials and such, but it does have option to get free config from website by click. For some reason, my app review have not gone well. Apple have claimed my app have violated Guidelines 4.3(a) and 5.4. In all of my respect for App Review Team, but claim on Guideline 4.3(a) - Spam is completely ridiculous! App was completely written from the ground, not only including protocol, but the design itself. The MONOGON style, is unique application style which no other app on app store have seen(featuring dotted ASCII style

Hey everyone, I’m dealing with a frustrating situation and hoping someone here can share insights. My app has been rejected multiple times under Guideline 4.3(a) - Spam, with Apple stating it resembles an app from a terminated Apple Developer account. Here’s the context: A month ago, my teammate purchased an Apple Developer account from a 3rd party. Then after the app was submitted, we got rejection after that, a couple of hours later. The old account was terminated. The termination notice cited Section 3.2(f) of the ADP Agreement, mentioning commit any act intended to interfere with any of the Apple Software or Services, the intent of this Agreement, or Apple’s business practices including, but not limited to, taking actions that may hinder the performance or intended use of the App Store, Custom App Distribution, TestFlight, Xcode Cloud, Ad Hoc distribution, or the Program…. This old account was purchased from a suspicious source, which may be why it was terminated and you can imagine my relationsh

In my latest apps Apple puts me this message:4. 3 Design: SpamGuideline 4.3 - DesignWe noticed that your app provides the same feature set as many of the other apps you've submitted to the App Store; it simply varies in content or language.Apps that simply duplicate content or functionality create clutter, diminish the overall experience for the end user, and reduce the ability of developers to market their apps.Next StepsTo resolve this issue, please combine apps with similar feature sets into a single container app (using the in-app purchase API to deliver different content if appropriate).We encourage you to review your app concept and incorporate different content and features that are in compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines.I try to find out what exactly is container but when I ask them they answer the same answer again. Has someone happened to you? Anyone know what exactly is a container? Thank you

As a developer the app store just feels kind of rigged, and you will never get a reasoned reply to your concerns. Here are two examples which aren't revealed by the new transparency report. I had 10 solitaire variants. My competitor had 10 variants. New rule 4.3 brought in which is fair enough, except that afterwards Apple removed my solitaire variants but allowed my competitor to keep all of theirs. Search for Chess on the app store (note I also have a chess app). Why does an old app with a rating of 3 stars and just 18 ratings come above Magnus Carlsen's app with a 5 star rating? He is the number one chess player in the World and his app is superb. It is exasperating and you will only get a Thank you for your concerns, we have passed them to the relevant department kind of reply. You never hear from them again on the subject. There are 1000s more examples ... The only way Magnus can rectify this is, I poresume, by buying Apple Search Ads.

I'm hoping someone can help me get clarity on my app submission for LinkUp, an iMessage-native group scheduling app. Here's the timeline: • Initial rejection (~1 month ago): Rejected under 4.3(a) for duplicating functionality of other apps • I updated screenshots, app description, and submitted again • For the past 2 weeks the app has been stuck with no meaningful response from App Review • I have called Apple support, submitted messages through the Resolution Center, and filed an App Review Board appeal — but I have received no confirmation email for the appeal and it does not appear on my developer support request page What LinkUp actually does: it lets friend groups coordinate availability entirely inside iMessage. Users send a schedule card as a message bubble, and participants vote on availability directly in the conversation thread — no redirects, no external app required. The heatmap updates in the bubble as people respond. To my knowledge, nothing on the App Store does this.