Hi, I'm struggling really hard to have my app approved on App Store and the reviewer don't provide any useful information to help us understand what's missing and how we can work it out, just some automatic messages like that: Thank you for providing this information. However, the documentation you have provided does not sufficiently demonstrate permission to represent the products or services included in your app, or the parties identified in the documentation are not correct. You can attach documentary evidence in the App Review Information section in App Store Connect. Once you have submitted the necessary authorization, we can continue with your app’s review. This is really frustrating because my app is already up and running on Google and Apple is this BS. Actually we think the reviewer is referring to our own app on Google because on a different comment they talked about Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats, so I tried to prove ownership of the Google app but apparently they find it insufficient e
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Hi. After a few attempts to submit my game, it is still rejected with the following reason: Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats The submitted app is designed and developed 100% from the scratch, and I don't know the reason of the issue, as I can’t identify which part of the metadata is the issue. After sending a messages to moderation team asking to specify which exactly part of the metadata is the issue, and which other app do they mean, I’m still getting the same template reply, referring to the “Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats”. I have even updated the icon, believing that it was the reason of issue, but it was not a solution. Now I don’t really know what to do? Here is the full warning message: —————— “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 no
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
App Review
Hello, My mobile game 'Wordilo' has been rejected due to Design: Copycats 4.1. I am reviewing the mentioned warnings, but my application does not contain any direct elements that could be considered a copy of a known game, apart from the core game mechanics. The game mechanic is a crossword puzzle, and there are already many apps with this game logic on the App Store. For example, the rules and style of a backgammon game are well-established, and there are many similar games based on this. I need more specific guidance in this regard. Thank you.
We got to have a small meeting with the App review's supporter, and she said we have two choices to grant verification on the app : We need to change the account name under the studio or the game we work on, which sometimes takes to verify the account until we can transfer the project. I need to submit documents that clarify that I am one of the development team members working on the game. So I added documents to clarify myself since we have lost almost a month in this copycats progress. After submitting every as like App reviewer suggested us in the meeting; it turns out we are still getting rejection under Copycats again. Is that any ways I can contact Apple faster than just make appointment for interview everytime to get clear answer?
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
App Review
Hello, My mobile game 'School Hero : Arcade Brawl' has been rejected due to Design: Copycats 4.1. I am reviewing the mentioned warnings, but my application does not contain any copy of other games. is 100% made by me. you send me i think that the issue are the screenshots but the screenshots shows my game only. can you be more spacific so i can fix this. thank you very much.
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
App Review
Recently, we received a rejection for our app on the App Store under Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats. We strongly disagree with this decision, as we are confident in the uniqueness of our project. We have submitted an appeal regarding this rejection, but so far, we have not received any confirmation that it has been reviewed or accepted for reconsideration. The explanation provided for the rejection was vague, offering only general statements and references without specific details. This makes it challenging for us to understand which aspects of our app are causing concerns. Here’s what we’ve done so far to address the feedback: Changed the Original Name: We renamed our app to emphasize its uniqueness and avoid any potential associations with other franchises. Removed the Character from Screenshots: We deleted the image from our screenshots to prevent any misunderstandings and to highlight the originality of our visual content. Replaced the Icon: We completely redesigned the app icon, creating a ne
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
App Review
Hi. I have been rejected five times on this same issue that this app is a copycat. We developed this app from scratch, and we are the original authors of this app. And the app review team does not tell us about which part of metadata or our game makes this problem. We are planning to start open beta very soon, but we are keep getting rejected. I can prove that we are the original developers if needed. Please help.
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
App Review
“Backrooms: Escape” Removed for Alleged Copycat Months After Release (Guideline 4.1) – Advice Needed
Hello everyone, We initially published our game, Backrooms: Escape, on the App Store on October 15, 2024, and have since released 152 builds with updates. In total, our team has spent over a year working on this project. However, we recently received a notification from the App Review Team stating that our app violates Guideline 4.1 (Copycats). The explanation we received was that we use “Backrooms” as a theme. We are the legitimate rights holders of this project, which we can easily prove through both our development timeline and legal documentation. After multiple attempts to clarify the issue, the only feedback we got was that “using Backrooms” is the problem. Yet, there are well over a hundred other “Backrooms” apps currently on the App Store. Here are ten examples: Hide in The Backroom: Nextbots Noclip : Backrooms Multiplayer Backrooms Union Multiplayer Backrooms Descent: Horror Game Escape - Backrooms Horror Backrooms Anomaly Backrooms: Lost in Level 0 Backrooms: Outrun To Survive! Backrooms Bu
我的游戏,自己开发完成,且已经在谷歌上线2年多.上次更新完初级包,这次更新就一直被拒绝 2.1 我们无法找到 App Tracking Transparency 权限请求 4.1模仿设计 给拒绝. 我已经提交了我的谷歌平台的地址,同时也在商品详情中声明了关于IOSApp的信息. 同时2.1 关于这个的请求,我也提交操作说明了.不知道你们如果判断,请帮助我完成提交更新
I completely understand your frustration—our app, Minglr, has also been facing unjustified rejections despite being previously approved multiple times. It’s incredibly discouraging to see copycat apps moving forward while original apps like ours are being blocked. Here’s what we’ve tried so far: ✔ Filed a formal appeal – We made sure to clearly present our case and request escalation to a senior reviewer. ✔ Contacted Apple Developer Support directly – You can try calling them at Apple Developer Support and asking for an escalation to a higher-level reviewer. ✔ Used Twitter/X (@AppleSupport) – Sometimes, posting publicly can attract more attention. ✔ Requested a call with the App Review Team – They finally agreed to discuss our case over the phone. Maybe you could push for the same? Regarding Legal Action: Apple’s review process is notoriously opaque, and legal action is rarely successful unless it involves major financial damages or antitrust concerns. However, some developers have managed to escalat
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
App Review
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Hello everyone, The original post here helped us understand Apple’s position on the Guideline 4.1 (Copycats) violation. It was explained that Apple sees similarities between our app and the Steam project called “Backrooms: Escape Together.” This was extremely surprising to us, as they are fundamentally different games. Here are the main points for comparison: Game Genre & Mechanics Backrooms: Escape Together is a cooperative survival-horror with AI-driven enemies, puzzles, and stealth elements. Our project is a single-player parkour runner focused on fast-paced obstacle avoidance and high-speed gameplay, without puzzle-solving or AI-controlled monsters. Visual Style & Atmosphere Backrooms: Escape Together employs a realistic, horror-centric aesthetic. Our project features a stylized, action-oriented look, aimed at quick and dynamic play sessions. Platforms & Audience Backrooms: Escape Together is oriented toward PC gamers who enjoy cooperative horror experiences. Our project targets mobil
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
App Review
Tags:
Hi, Since last week, I’ve been trying to publish the new version of my Voxel game, which aims to fix many bugs and significantly optimize the game. This update is very important for improving the overall quality of the game. Unfortunately, this version is not being accepted on the App Store due to a Design - Copycats issue related to guideline 4.1. I’ve tried everything to resolve the problem by changing the screenshots, app preview, description, game name, icons, and even all metadata that could cause issues in the build. But nothing seems to work. I keep receiving the same rejection just a few minutes after submitting my build for review. Here is the full warning message: —————— “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 th
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
App Review
Tags:
Design
App Review
App Store Connect
I keep getting rejected from the app because of “Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats”. I have tried changing the game name, icon, privacy links and other things, but I don't understand exactly what elements of the app are violating my app. After searching the App Store I have not found an app similar to mine. If anyone has encountered this problem who knows how to solve it? Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats - This app or its metadata still 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.
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
App Store Connect
Trying to submit my first app to Apple but they won't accept it. Under the term 4.1.1 Copycat. Saying I don't have the rights or need to give proof I have the rights to use. I asked if this was good enough: section 107 of U.S. Copyright Act under the Fair Use and clearly state the intended purpose of the app is as a Parody or Satire of the third party content. They respond with ask forum and read the apple review guide which actually echoes what I said: Section 1 Safety 1.1.1. Professional political satirists and humorists are generally exempt from this requirement. But that is in regards to: harm, tasteful choices, and etc. To make things even odder. Google already accepted and published my app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.crystalmagic.starshiplauncher Can someone please clear up the confusion? :)
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
App Review
In this post, we'll share tips to help you submit apps that deliver original ideas to your users. When working on your app, focus on creating interesting, unique experiences that aren't already available. Apps that actively try to copy other apps won't pass review, and accounts that repeatedly submit copycat apps or attempt to impersonate a service will be closed. The rules that prevent copycat and impersonator apps from being distributed on the App Store are described in App Review Guideline 4.1: 4.1 Copycats (a) Come up with your own ideas. We know you have them, so make yours come to life. Don’t simply copy the latest popular app on the App Store, or make some minor changes to another app’s name or UI and pass it off as your own. In addition to risking an intellectual property infringement claim, it makes the App Store harder to navigate and just isn’t fair to your fellow developers. (b) Submitting apps which impersonate other apps or services is considered a violation of the Dev
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
App Review
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App Store
App Review
App Store Connect