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“copycat”

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App rejected due to Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats
This app or its metadata appears to be misrepresenting itself as another popular app or game already available on the App Store, from a developer's website or distribution source, or from a third-party platform. Apps should be unique and should not attempt to deceive users into thinking they are downloading something they are not.... I have faced multiple rejections for my app due to the same issue. However, the Apple reviewer has not provided any specific information about where the issue lies, making it difficult for me to address it. In the subsequent steps, I was instructed to thoroughly review the app store review guidelines and ensure compliance with them, which I have done. I have also reached out to the app review team but have not received a response yet. It is frustrating that the email does not mention the exact content that is being considered as copied. It feels like a generic message, and I am unsure about the next course of action. If anyone has been in a similar situation or has insights into
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837
Apr ’24
4.1 Design Copycats - App Store error solved
I got this error on version 1.0 and 1.1 of my latest app I submitted. They helpfully attached the cause of the error which happened to be two images, which even though it was copyright free, were somehow causing this error. They were in my launch screen and in app icon. So I uploaded my 1.1 version removing the images from my Xcode asset folder, app icon, and launch screen, and also in the iPhone screenshots on the submit page. Again I got the same error, and while waiting for the build to be distributed, I realised I hadn’t removed the trouble-causing image from my iPad screenshots. Once I removed it from there, it was a breeze. So look at the attachments they send, if it's images that's causing the error, remove them from all places where you have uploaded. Hope it helps.
1
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933
Nov ’23
Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats change to Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam
Regarding 4.1, I deleted the ranking and text of the title according to your instructions and submitted it. It turned into 4.3(a) spam. How should I deal with it? Why did it become 4.3? The following is the information given by the 2nd review team Hello, Thank you for your resubmission. Upon further review, we identified additional issues that need your attention. See below for more information. 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: fd44c6b9-ff2d-4ee5-bf5c-c1ede1a5b6b4 Review date: June 10, 2024 Version reviewed: 1.0.0 Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats The app or its metadata appears to contain potentially misleading references to third-party content. Specifically, the app includes content that resembles one or multiple third-party sports teams and/or leagues without the necessary authorization. Next Steps If you have the necessary rights to distribute an app with this third-party content, attach d
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
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1.3k
Jun ’24
Reply to Rejected for Guideline 4.1(c) Copycats
Has anyone experienced a situation where an app was flagged as a copycat after being live for a long time? I think I have once or twice only after forgetting to remove older versions. Also, I have read similar topics in the past two to three weeks. See what you can find with the search function if you want to know if there are other copycats out there. Is it possible that Apple updated their internal policies or comparisons, causing older apps to be re-evaluated? Anything is possible. Reviewers make a lot of mistakes. So do I, sometimes. I repeated two silly mistakes in setting the subtitle of the last submission. What would be the best way to respond in App Store Connect Resolution Center in this case? How would you quantify and measure the quality of your reply? Yet, I would make it as concise as possible to make the point so that it will be hard for them to dismiss. At last, I wouldn't take it to the Appeal Board if I were you unless you have good Plan B and C.
Mar ’26
Reply to App stuck in 'Waiting for Review' for 2 weeks
i had the same experience and then my account was closed I submitted a puzzle app called “Anime Jigsaw” to App Store Connect. The App Store Connect team initially rejected the app due to minor errors. I then fixed the errors and resubmitted it, but this time they said it violated “Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats” and that I didn't write the code. I responded that I wrote the code and could prove it. They rejected it again, citing Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats,“ and I explained that my app was different from other puzzle apps because you solve puzzles while listening to Lo-Fi music. But this time, they issued a ”Pending Termination Notice“ and started saying ”Evidence of Dishonest or Fraudulent Activity. I am definitely not a scammer. I am trying to communicate with the App Store Connect team, but they are trying to close my account and label it as “Fraudulent Activity.” Why are you doing this? How can I resolve this? My account will be closed in 30 days, and I can't communicate with an
Oct ’25
Rejected under 4.1 (Copycats/Wordle) despite different gameplay - looking for more specific feedback
I am having issues getting feedback from Apple review to understand whether the game I created is not unique enough or whether it is something else. My game was inspired by Wordle and uses the idea of marking letters as green/yellow to provide hints, but in my view (and the view of all the testers I've had), creates extremely different and unique experience, which is the core goal of guideline 4.1. Core gameplay: The game is real-time multiplayer (or vs an adaptive difficulty computer that mimics human play), where two players each choose a starting hint word, then based on those hint words (yellow/green letters), in 3 minutes, need to find as many unique words that fit those hints. You see what the player guesses and can't guess the same words. Each word gives 1 point, but the last word and 1 bonus word give +5 points. At 120 seconds, a third hint is provided that limits the number of possible options (making it more likely to reach the very final word with +5 bonus or the bonus word if it wasn't guessed yet
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133
Apr ’26
Reply to App removed from sale
Thank you for your instruction. We had a pusoy card game (just simulating gambling, not real money) and got rejected since August 09. Now that we created an organization account and transfer the removede from sale apps to new account then submit it. However, Apple still rejects it as copycat. Have you published the apps successfully yet? Could you share with us. Thank you so much in advance
Sep ’18
Reply to Notarization stuck In Progress for 2+ days
Update: We received an App Review rejection on 2026-03-17 06:02 UTC for Guideline 4.1(a) (Copycats - references to OpenClaw). The notarization queue started failing at 2026-03-17 09:06 UTC, exactly 3 hours after the rejection. Could this App Review rejection have triggered a backend review of our account affecting notarization?
Topic: Code Signing SubTopic: Notarization Tags:
Mar ’26
Reply to If the standards are different every time you review, is there such a thing as a standard?
It's been rejected eight times now. One reviewer made it clear that the icon of my app was the problem. (Reviewer also captured and attached my icon image.) So I sent a reply that I modified it with the revised design image, and the reviewer even replied as below. Thank you for your reply. We apply your effects to complain with the App Store Review Guidelines, and we look forward to review your submitted app. But they rejected my app in the review with a captured image of my app. I couldn't understand the meaning of the captured image, so I typed a square in all the parts corresponding to the captured image and replied, Which part is the copycat? but there was no answer, and I kept rejecting it as the copycat. Now, without saying exactly what part of it is a copycat, it just repeats, Specifically, your app includes content that resembles VPET. I think I'm talking about an app called VPET, which has already been posted on the App Store, so I replied that VPET, which I'm now posting o
Dec ’22
Reply to iOS App Store app copycats during delayed release/beta testing
Apple will allow an app with a slightly different name and similar function. The fight is between you and that “copycat”. Apple will facilitate a communication between them and you but you need to assert either contract or ip law to get them to stop. Do you have a trademark on the name that is damaged by their use of a similar name?; Do you have any patents on inventions necessary for the app to function?; Did they agree to not copy the idea before you included them in TestFlight? If not, your only hope is that they don’t and you can outperform or outmarket them.
Jan ’18
Reply to Rejected - Guideline 4.2 - Minimal functionality
I would disagree with KMT on his first reply. If Apple felt your app was too similar to existing apps that would have rejected it with 4.1 Copycats. I would just keep following up with them. It might not be clear to the reviewer that there are multiple levels depending how the user progresses through the game. I had 4.2 rejection for a simple utility app and I just kept adding features until they finally approved it.
Jun ’18
Reply to CopyCat Rejection - what documents are required to verify that the app is mine?
if I am a solo developer with every right to my own app. I don't think that's the point. You could be a solo developer, having fully developed the app but have designed it very similar to another app. Or your app name or visual appear too similar to an existing app. The fact that it is on another store does not matter for the reviewer. Have you searched the appstore for such similar app ? Once you have found you could either modify your app or try to explain to reviewer why it is not copycat (more difficult).
Apr ’24
Reply to If the standards are different every time you review, is there such a thing as a standard?
Wait until the copyright expires in 2040ish. Or, ask whoever owns the rights for permission and send the contract to Apple. Or, get an intellectual property lawyer to write an opinion saying you’re not infringing anything and send that to Apple. Fundamentally it sounds like whoever owns the rights to VPET has complained to Apple about copycat apps and now Apple filters them out. There have been a few similar cases. Apple will not attempt to arbitrate, they will just reject everything until there is no mention and no similarity.
Dec ’22
Reply to Rejected for Guideline 4.1(c) Copycats
Thank you for your post. There are several factors that may contribute to an app not following App Review Guideline 4.1. Visit Preventing Copycat and Impersonation Rejections to learn best practices that will help you submit original apps that follow this guideline.
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Mar ’26
Reply to 4.3 Design Spam (Suggestion for Apple)
Seriously bro, this is what gets me mad and upset because my game doesn't even look like any of the games on the market and it gets rejected because of guideline 4.3, and on the other hand there are thousands of apps already on the app store that are spams and copycats of other hit games. This is seriously terrible!
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Jul ’18
App rejected due to Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats
This app or its metadata appears to be misrepresenting itself as another popular app or game already available on the App Store, from a developer's website or distribution source, or from a third-party platform. Apps should be unique and should not attempt to deceive users into thinking they are downloading something they are not.... I have faced multiple rejections for my app due to the same issue. However, the Apple reviewer has not provided any specific information about where the issue lies, making it difficult for me to address it. In the subsequent steps, I was instructed to thoroughly review the app store review guidelines and ensure compliance with them, which I have done. I have also reached out to the app review team but have not received a response yet. It is frustrating that the email does not mention the exact content that is being considered as copied. It feels like a generic message, and I am unsure about the next course of action. If anyone has been in a similar situation or has insights into
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
837
Activity
Apr ’24
4.1 Design Copycats - App Store error solved
I got this error on version 1.0 and 1.1 of my latest app I submitted. They helpfully attached the cause of the error which happened to be two images, which even though it was copyright free, were somehow causing this error. They were in my launch screen and in app icon. So I uploaded my 1.1 version removing the images from my Xcode asset folder, app icon, and launch screen, and also in the iPhone screenshots on the submit page. Again I got the same error, and while waiting for the build to be distributed, I realised I hadn’t removed the trouble-causing image from my iPad screenshots. Once I removed it from there, it was a breeze. So look at the attachments they send, if it's images that's causing the error, remove them from all places where you have uploaded. Hope it helps.
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
933
Activity
Nov ’23
Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats change to Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam
Regarding 4.1, I deleted the ranking and text of the title according to your instructions and submitted it. It turned into 4.3(a) spam. How should I deal with it? Why did it become 4.3? The following is the information given by the 2nd review team Hello, Thank you for your resubmission. Upon further review, we identified additional issues that need your attention. See below for more information. 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: fd44c6b9-ff2d-4ee5-bf5c-c1ede1a5b6b4 Review date: June 10, 2024 Version reviewed: 1.0.0 Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats The app or its metadata appears to contain potentially misleading references to third-party content. Specifically, the app includes content that resembles one or multiple third-party sports teams and/or leagues without the necessary authorization. Next Steps If you have the necessary rights to distribute an app with this third-party content, attach d
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
1.3k
Activity
Jun ’24
Reply to Rejected for Guideline 4.1(c) Copycats
Has anyone experienced a situation where an app was flagged as a copycat after being live for a long time? I think I have once or twice only after forgetting to remove older versions. Also, I have read similar topics in the past two to three weeks. See what you can find with the search function if you want to know if there are other copycats out there. Is it possible that Apple updated their internal policies or comparisons, causing older apps to be re-evaluated? Anything is possible. Reviewers make a lot of mistakes. So do I, sometimes. I repeated two silly mistakes in setting the subtitle of the last submission. What would be the best way to respond in App Store Connect Resolution Center in this case? How would you quantify and measure the quality of your reply? Yet, I would make it as concise as possible to make the point so that it will be hard for them to dismiss. At last, I wouldn't take it to the Appeal Board if I were you unless you have good Plan B and C.
Replies
Boosts
Views
Activity
Mar ’26
Reply to App stuck in 'Waiting for Review' for 2 weeks
i had the same experience and then my account was closed I submitted a puzzle app called “Anime Jigsaw” to App Store Connect. The App Store Connect team initially rejected the app due to minor errors. I then fixed the errors and resubmitted it, but this time they said it violated “Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats” and that I didn't write the code. I responded that I wrote the code and could prove it. They rejected it again, citing Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats,“ and I explained that my app was different from other puzzle apps because you solve puzzles while listening to Lo-Fi music. But this time, they issued a ”Pending Termination Notice“ and started saying ”Evidence of Dishonest or Fraudulent Activity. I am definitely not a scammer. I am trying to communicate with the App Store Connect team, but they are trying to close my account and label it as “Fraudulent Activity.” Why are you doing this? How can I resolve this? My account will be closed in 30 days, and I can't communicate with an
Replies
Boosts
Views
Activity
Oct ’25
Rejected under 4.1 (Copycats/Wordle) despite different gameplay - looking for more specific feedback
I am having issues getting feedback from Apple review to understand whether the game I created is not unique enough or whether it is something else. My game was inspired by Wordle and uses the idea of marking letters as green/yellow to provide hints, but in my view (and the view of all the testers I've had), creates extremely different and unique experience, which is the core goal of guideline 4.1. Core gameplay: The game is real-time multiplayer (or vs an adaptive difficulty computer that mimics human play), where two players each choose a starting hint word, then based on those hint words (yellow/green letters), in 3 minutes, need to find as many unique words that fit those hints. You see what the player guesses and can't guess the same words. Each word gives 1 point, but the last word and 1 bonus word give +5 points. At 120 seconds, a third hint is provided that limits the number of possible options (making it more likely to reach the very final word with +5 bonus or the bonus word if it wasn't guessed yet
Replies
2
Boosts
0
Views
133
Activity
Apr ’26
Reply to App removed from sale
Thank you for your instruction. We had a pusoy card game (just simulating gambling, not real money) and got rejected since August 09. Now that we created an organization account and transfer the removede from sale apps to new account then submit it. However, Apple still rejects it as copycat. Have you published the apps successfully yet? Could you share with us. Thank you so much in advance
Replies
Boosts
Views
Activity
Sep ’18
Reply to Notarization stuck In Progress for 2+ days
Update: We received an App Review rejection on 2026-03-17 06:02 UTC for Guideline 4.1(a) (Copycats - references to OpenClaw). The notarization queue started failing at 2026-03-17 09:06 UTC, exactly 3 hours after the rejection. Could this App Review rejection have triggered a backend review of our account affecting notarization?
Topic: Code Signing SubTopic: Notarization Tags:
Replies
Boosts
Views
Activity
Mar ’26
Reply to If the standards are different every time you review, is there such a thing as a standard?
It's been rejected eight times now. One reviewer made it clear that the icon of my app was the problem. (Reviewer also captured and attached my icon image.) So I sent a reply that I modified it with the revised design image, and the reviewer even replied as below. Thank you for your reply. We apply your effects to complain with the App Store Review Guidelines, and we look forward to review your submitted app. But they rejected my app in the review with a captured image of my app. I couldn't understand the meaning of the captured image, so I typed a square in all the parts corresponding to the captured image and replied, Which part is the copycat? but there was no answer, and I kept rejecting it as the copycat. Now, without saying exactly what part of it is a copycat, it just repeats, Specifically, your app includes content that resembles VPET. I think I'm talking about an app called VPET, which has already been posted on the App Store, so I replied that VPET, which I'm now posting o
Replies
Boosts
Views
Activity
Dec ’22
Reply to iOS App Store app copycats during delayed release/beta testing
Apple will allow an app with a slightly different name and similar function. The fight is between you and that “copycat”. Apple will facilitate a communication between them and you but you need to assert either contract or ip law to get them to stop. Do you have a trademark on the name that is damaged by their use of a similar name?; Do you have any patents on inventions necessary for the app to function?; Did they agree to not copy the idea before you included them in TestFlight? If not, your only hope is that they don’t and you can outperform or outmarket them.
Replies
Boosts
Views
Activity
Jan ’18
Reply to Rejected - Guideline 4.2 - Minimal functionality
I would disagree with KMT on his first reply. If Apple felt your app was too similar to existing apps that would have rejected it with 4.1 Copycats. I would just keep following up with them. It might not be clear to the reviewer that there are multiple levels depending how the user progresses through the game. I had 4.2 rejection for a simple utility app and I just kept adding features until they finally approved it.
Replies
Boosts
Views
Activity
Jun ’18
Reply to CopyCat Rejection - what documents are required to verify that the app is mine?
if I am a solo developer with every right to my own app. I don't think that's the point. You could be a solo developer, having fully developed the app but have designed it very similar to another app. Or your app name or visual appear too similar to an existing app. The fact that it is on another store does not matter for the reviewer. Have you searched the appstore for such similar app ? Once you have found you could either modify your app or try to explain to reviewer why it is not copycat (more difficult).
Replies
Boosts
Views
Activity
Apr ’24
Reply to If the standards are different every time you review, is there such a thing as a standard?
Wait until the copyright expires in 2040ish. Or, ask whoever owns the rights for permission and send the contract to Apple. Or, get an intellectual property lawyer to write an opinion saying you’re not infringing anything and send that to Apple. Fundamentally it sounds like whoever owns the rights to VPET has complained to Apple about copycat apps and now Apple filters them out. There have been a few similar cases. Apple will not attempt to arbitrate, they will just reject everything until there is no mention and no similarity.
Replies
Boosts
Views
Activity
Dec ’22