App Review

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App review is the process of evaluating apps and app updates submitted to the App Store to ensure they are reliable, perform as expected, and follow Apple guidelines.

Posts under App Review tag

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Handling ITMS-91061: Missing privacy manifest
An ITMS-91061: Missing privacy manifest rejection email looks as follows: ITMS-91061: Missing privacy manifest- Your app includes "<path/to/SDK>", which includes , an SDK that was identified in the documentation as a privacy-impacting third-party SDK. Starting February 12, 2025, if a new app includes a privacy-impacting SDK, or an app update adds a new privacy-impacting SDK, the SDK must include a privacy manifest file. Please contact the provider of the SDK that includes this file to get an updated SDK version with a privacy manifest. For more details about this policy, including a list of SDKs that are required to include signatures and manifests, visit: https://developer.apple.com/support/third-party-SDK-requirements. Glossary ITMS-91061: Missing privacy manifest: An email that includes the name and path of privacy-impacting SDK(s) with no privacy manifest files in your app bundle. For more information, see https://developer.apple.com/support/third-party-SDK-requirements. : The specified privacy-impacting SDK that doesn't include a privacy manifest file. If you are the developer of the rejected app, gather the name of the SDK from the email you received from Apple, then contact the SDK's provider for an updated version that includes a valid privacy manifest. After receiving an updated version of the SDK, verify the SDK includes a valid privacy manifest file at the expected location. For more information, see Adding a privacy manifest to your app or third-party SDK. If your app includes a privacy manifest file, make sure the file only describes the privacy practices of your app. Do not add the privacy practices of the SDK to your app's privacy manifest. If the email lists multiple SDKs, repeat the above process for all of them. If you are the developer of an SDK listed in the email, publish an updated version of your SDK that includes a privacy manifest file with valid keys and values. Every privacy-impacting SDK must contain a privacy manifest file that only describes its privacy practices. To learn how to add a valid privacy manifest to your SDK, see the Additional resources section below. Additional resources Privacy manifest files Describing data use in privacy manifests Describing use of required reason API Adding a privacy manifest to your app or third-party SDK TN3182: Adding privacy tracking keys to your privacy manifest TN3183: Adding required reason API entries to your privacy manifest TN3184: Adding data collection details to your privacy manifest TN3181: Debugging an invalid privacy manifest
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6.2k
Mar ’25
Preventing Copycat and Impersonation Rejections
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 Developer Code of Conduct and may result in removal from the Apple Developer Program.(c) You cannot use another developer’s icon, brand, or product name in your app’s icon or name, without approval from the developer. These requirements help make the App Store both a safe place for people to discover apps and a platform for all developers to be successful. Best Practices Here are three best practices that will help you submit apps that follow App Review Guideline 4.1: 1. Submit apps with unique content and features. People want apps that provide unique experiences. Find areas that aren't currently being served and build compelling apps for those audiences. Do: Create apps that provide a new experience or a unique spin on an existing concept. Design original, delightful interfaces that elegantly meet your user's needs. Don't: Don’t imitate the features and functionality of other apps. Don’t copy the look and feel of other apps, such as using an identical user interface design. 2. Make sure App Store metadata only contains relevant information and content you either own or have permission to use. The metadata provided in App Store Connect is used to populate your app's product page on the App Store. People rely on this metadata to learn about your app and what it has to offer. Leveraging the popularity of another brand or app, either by including irrelevant references or protected content, is misleading and won't help your app succeed. Do: Use engaging, descriptive language to describe your unique app. Create original content that best represents your app, such as screenshots showing the actual app in use. Don't: Don't use protected material you do not have the necessary permission to use, such as app icons that are similar to icons of a popular app. Don’t include irrelevant references, such as popular app names or trademarked terms, in any metadata fields. 3. Provide information that is authentic and verifiable. People want to know the developers behind their favorite apps are who they say they are. It's important to continually review and provide up-to-date information, including the developer or company name listed on your Apple Developer Program account, the Support URL listed on your app's product page, and other helpful information. This will enable your users to contact you when they need help and it will also hinder people who may try to impersonate you, your app, or your service. Do: Make sure all information, resources, and documentation related to your account and apps are current and accurate. Don't: Don’t provide inaccurate information or resources, such as directing people to outdated support pages. Don’t provide fraudulent documentation. Accounts that submit fraudulent documentation will be removed from the Apple Developer Program. Support Incorporating these best practices into your app's development will help you submit apps that follow App Review Guideline 4.1. If you need additional assistance, consider taking advantage of one of the following support options available from App Review: If your submission has been rejected, reply to the message from App Review in App Store Connect and request clarification. Request an App Review Appointment to discuss the results of our review. Appointments are subject to availability, and take place during local business hours in your region on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you believe your app follows the App Review Guidelines, consider submitting an appeal to the App Review Board. Resources Learn about foundational design principles from Apple designers and the developer community. Learn how to create engaging App Store product pages. Note that apps that violate intellectual property rights are subject to removal through the App Store Content Dispute process. If you believe an app on the App Store violates your intellectual property rights, you can submit a claim.
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2.5k
Nov ’25
Clarification on “anonymous chat” under Guideline 1.2
Hello, With the recent update to Guideline 1.2 stating apps used primarily for “anonymous chat” may be removed, could App Review clarify what “anonymous” means in this context? In our app, users interact using a chosen username and avatar. We don’t display legal names publicly, but each user has a persistent, verified account and all UGC is tied to that account so we can enforce bans. We also provide filtering, reporting, and blocking. Question: Do applications that provide chat functionality with pseudonymous users — meaning users do not display their real names — have the right to exist under this guideline, provided that accounts are persistent and enforceable? If anyone has recently passed review with a similar pseudonymous chat model, I’d appreciate any guidance on how you framed 1.2 compliance.
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Beta contract missing
Hi, I’m running into a persistent issue in App Store Connect related to TestFlight and app reviews, and I’m hoping someone has seen this before. Around two weeks ago, I started getting the following error when trying to create external TestFlight builds: ENTITY_UNPROCESSABLE.BETA_CONTRACT_MISSING Since then: I cannot create any external TestFlight tests Internal TestFlight builds appear, but cannot be downloaded (“The requested app is not available or doesn’t exist”) My apps do not progress properly through review One app got stuck in “In Review” for ~10 days; I eventually withdrew it and resubmitted it At this point, I cannot update two existing apps, and I can’t start testing a new app at all Important details: This is an individual developer account I am the Account Holder All contracts appear active and valid The issue affects multiple apps, not just one Nothing changed on my side (no contract updates, no account changes) before this started happening. I’ve already reached out to Apple Developer Support multiple times, but unfortunately haven’t received any response so far, which makes it unclear how to proceed. Has anyone experienced this issue or found a resolution? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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"Waiting for review" for over 10 days.
Hi everyone, I'm currently experiencing an unusually long time for my app to be reviewed. I'm curious to know if other people are experiencing the same problem, since I don't remember it ever taking this long for a submission to be reviewed. I first submitted my app for review on February 9th, and resubmitted it on February 16th (one week later), requesting an expedited review. On the 18th, I contacted support (2 days ago). I still haven't had any changes to my submission, and haven't heard from support either. A client of mine has had their submissions reviewed as usual. I'm not sure if there's a specific issue with mine that's causing the delay. I haven't found any phone numbers I can call, and I'm quite anxious about this because we are trying to fix a critical bug, and all our campaigns are on hold until we fix this. Has anyone experienced this before? How did you get it resolved? Any help is greatly appreciated 😊
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Apps Stuck in 'Waiting for Review' for 12+ Days — IAPs Also Blocked
Hello everyone, I am hoping someone here can share some advice or has experienced a similar situation. I am an individual developer and two of my apps have been stuck in 'Waiting for Review' status for over 10 to 12 days now. Prior to this, the review process was moving normally and I was receiving feedback from Apple on both apps. Then suddenly everything stopped and both apps have been sitting in the queue with no movement and no communication from the review team. To make things worse, I am also unable to delete these apps or make any changes because their In-App Purchases are simultaneously under review, which is locking me out of managing my own apps entirely. I already created a support case specifically for App Review (Case ID: 20000111755276) over a week ago, but unfortunately I have not heard back anything from Apple at all — no acknowledgment, no update, nothing. I am based in Pakistan and the phone callback option is not available for my region, so email and this forum are essentially my only options to get any help. Has anyone else experienced such a long delay recently? Is there anything else I can do to get this moving or at least get a response from the review team? Any advice or shared experience would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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"Waiting for Review" since January 31
My app update has been in "Waiting for Review" since January 31. This is my second post here, as it appears the App Review team is monitoring these posts, and this is the only place where I’ve seen direct responses. I’ve submitted multiple support requests and called Apple Developer Support several times, but they can only leave messages for the App Review team, which remain unanswered (support case ID: 102819325365). I also requested an expedited review — with no response. This update is urgent for my app and my team. We are currently blocked and losing revenue each day. I would greatly appreciate any information on how much longer this might take, or whether it is worth continuing to wait.
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App waiting for review since February 3 - no updates from App Review
Hello everyone, My app (App ID: 6758463939) has been waiting for review since February 3 and the status has not changed since then. All issues from the previous rejection were fixed: App name corrected and now matches after installation Demo account with full access provided All requested changes completed I also contacted App Review through Resolution Center and opened a support case, but have not received any response yet. I just want to confirm that everything is normal and that the app is still in the review queue. Has anyone experienced similar delays recently with first submissions? If there is any additional step I should take or another place to contact Apple, please let me know. Thank you.
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App waiting for review since February 3 - no updates from App Review
Hello everyone, My app (App ID: 6758463939) has been waiting for review since February 3 and the status has not changed since then. All issues from the previous rejection were fixed: App name corrected and now matches after installation Demo account with full access provided All requested changes completed I also contacted App Review through Resolution Center and opened a support case, but have not received any response yet. I just want to confirm that everything is normal and that the app is still in the review queue. Has anyone experienced similar delays recently with first submissions? If there is any additional step I should take or another place to contact Apple, please let me know. Thank you.
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Unusually long “Waiting for Review” times
Hi everyone, I’m currently experiencing unusually long review waiting times and wanted to ask if others see the same behavior this week. My situation: App Store update has been in “Waiting for Review” significantly longer than usual, my apps are pending from last 2 weeks. I’m not trying to escalate anything just looking to understand if this is currently affecting more developers. Would really appreciate hearing about your recent experiences.
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My App 6749690414 is stuck in review since Feb 10
Hi, My app wich ID is 6749690414 is waiting for review since Feb 10, is this normal? We have few critical changes to be sent and our business has come to stand still. I'm not trying to bother anyone here, just need to make sure that all is fine and the app will be "reviewed" sooner or later! if there is any place that I can submit a ticket or ask more properly please let me know. Kindest regards Vinesh
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1d
Stuck in Waiting For Review
Hello, My app "Kevser" (iOS 2.0.0) has been in "Waiting for Review" since February 11, 2026, with no status change. It is a lifestyle and community app already live on Google Play with active users. The iOS version is fully functional and ready for release. The timing is important because our app serves a seasonal audience in Turkey, and the key season starts tomorrow. Every day of delay matters significantly for our launch window. I have opened 5 support cases so far (including Case ID: 102821061223). Only one was responded to, and the reply simply said to be patient and wait for my turn in the queue. I also have a few minor revisions I would like to make, but I am afraid to submit a new build because it would reset my position in the queue and push me to the back of the line. The length of this wait is preventing me from making any improvements. Has anyone experienced a similar situation recently? Any advice would be appreciated.
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Stuck in the kids category
Hi! Our app has been rejected several times now. We first selected the "made for kids" category because that was the age recommended by apple. Everything went fine at first but now, two updated later, we are starting to get rejected. We unchecked the made for kids box but even after that we are still not getting approved. We have tried to explain our issue to apple support but they aren't giving us any good answers. Is there any way to resolve this issue? We are really in the need of help.
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App Update Stuck in "Waiting for Review" for 9 Days
Hello Apple Staff and Community, An important update for my app has been unexpectedly stuck in "Waiting for Review" for 9 days (submitted on February 9th). This is not a new app, but an update to an existing one. • App ID: 6756239914 We have an active marketing campaign tied to this specific update. Deadlines are failing, leading to daily financial losses. I already submitted an Expedited Review request through the Contact Us form but have received absolutely no response or movement. Could an Apple representative please help investigate if this update is stuck due to a system glitch and escalate it to the review team? Thank you.
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What trends will shape the future of iOS app development
With agentic coding and AI rapidly improving at solving development problems, I’m starting to question what the next three to five years will look like for iOS developers and whether manual coding will gradually disappear. I’ve been building iOS apps full time since 2013 and while I appreciate AI for speeding up workflows like unit testing, I worry that over reliance could weaken our core skills, reduce our understanding of evolving APIs, and ultimately impact our long term value and demand in the industry, does anyone else feel the same?
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2d
Why do I feel like my growth as an iOS developer has slowed down
I have 9 plus years of iOS experience starting with Objective C and moving to Swift, but after 4 years in my current company with little salary growth, I am struggling to find new opportunities in a highly competitive market with fewer openings and broader skill expectations. I am unsure about the long term career path for mobile developers, concerned about compensation growth and lacking SwiftUI experience, and would appreciate guidance on what additional skills to learn to stand out and secure better opportunities.
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