copycat

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 anyone. Team ID: 93LGGK4LG4 Apple ID: 6751961511 Please App

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

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

Hello everyone, My app was recently rejected under Guideline 4.1 – Design: Copycats. The review team mentioned that my app or its metadata appears to be misrepresenting itself as another popular app or service, and therefore was not approved. This came as a surprise, because my app is an original trading journal product that I’ve built from scratch. While there are other trading journals in the market, my app has unique features and a different design. I did not intend to copy or impersonate any existing app. I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has gone through a similar rejection: What kind of changes did you make to get past this rejection? Should I focus more on branding (name, logo, color scheme) to differentiate? Is it helpful to write an explanation to the App Review team describing how my app is unique? Any tips or experiences would be very helpful, since I want to make sure my app stands out clearly and avoids any resemblance issues. Thank you in advance!

We have been developing our game “Ailem Olur Musun” for 8 months and submitted it to the App Store. However, our application was rejected under Guideline 4.1 – Copycats. Our game is a completely original project. Its story, visuals, logo, and design were all created from scratch by our team members. The main character of the game is a delivery worker, and the drawing we made for this character is used as the game’s symbol. Despite this, our application was rejected on the grounds that it was considered to be “imitating another popular game.” This game has also been published on the Play Store and has achieved a significant number of downloads and reviews. How can I best explain this to the review team?

Our app ХАЙП ИГРЫ (HYPE GAMES) keeps getting rejected under Guideline 4.1 – Copycats, but we’re not receiving any specific feedback or examples of what exactly is being flagged. We’ve fully rebuilt the app multiple times: All content is now original (graphics, UI, icons, name, etc.) The app does not refer to or imitate any existing brand or app The same version was already approved on Google Play We've removed anything that could even theoretically be misinterpreted as copycat content However, App Review continues to send the same generic message saying the app “appears to misrepresent itself,” without pointing to any concrete element, screenshot, or example. We’ve explicitly asked for clarification or even a single screenshot of the issue, but the replies remain copy-pasted and non-informative. Has anyone else faced this issue? What can be done if App Review won’t identify what’s wrong? We genuinely want to comply and are ready to fix any real problem, but right now we are just guessing — a

Hello, My game was rejected for the reasons mentioned below. However, I am unable to identify or understand the exact issue. I would like to share all the documents and information I have here, hoping that this will help identify what is wrong or what is actually correct. The story, gameplay, level design, and all the coding of my game are completely original and created by me. Additionally, any third-party assets I’ve used are fully licensed and invoiced. For example, if I’ve used a model that I didn't design myself, I purchased it and modified it to fit my original design. I have all the documentation to prove this. The name of my game is James War and it is currently published on Google Play under my own name. James is the name of the main character in the game. Since the game is based on a psychological and philosophical novel-style concept, it represents a metaphorical “war” within James' own identity – a psychological battle, so to speak. I submitted the same promotional materials to the App Store as I

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

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? :)

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