Hello, We’re experiencing an issue in our app where a subset of users are being logged out automatically without any apparent reason. This is impacting both iOS 16 and iOS 17 users (though it’s hard to confirm if it’s platform-specific). Here’s a breakdown of the situation: Symptoms Some users report being logged out of the app randomly, even after remaining active. The issue doesn’t seem to affect all users—just a specific subset. Users are prompted to log in again, and once they do, the app behaves as expected until the issue recurs.

@APPLE TEAM WHAT WRONG WITH YOUR WORKER??? I STILL WAITING FOR REVIEW FOR A VERY IMPORTANT BUG IN MY APP...WHY IT TAKES SO LONG?

We recently received feedback under Guideline 4.3(b) suggesting our app duplicates functionality found in other apps in this category. However, our app is fundamentally not a dating app. It is a conversation facilitator designed to foster meaningful connections for friendships, networking, and shared interests. While romantic connections may occur naturally, they are not the primary focus. Thus, we are seeking insights on this key question: How do developers effectively demonstrate feature differentiation to reviewers? We want to clearly show how our app’s functionality uniquely addresses user needs and provides value beyond existing solutions. Our Core Features: Our app introduces distinct features that differentiate it from traditional apps in this space: Paths: Psychology-based prompts embedded in chats encourage users to explore meaningful topics like values and aspirations. These prompts are dynamically triggered to keep conversations engaging and productive. Aura: A rewards system that incentivizes thoughtful, high-quality engagement by awarding points for meaningful conversations, which can unlock additional features. Spark Matches: Real-time, themed events pair users for structured, 15-minute conversations on topics like technology or travel. Curated prompts ensure the focus is on shared interests, not romance. Flame Matches: AI-personalized matches adapt to user conversations, connecting individuals based on compatibility. Chats begin anonymously, focusing on personalities rather than appearances, and are designed for platonic, professional, or friendship connections. Market Analysis: Our app addresses key gaps in the connection space: No apps embed conversation prompts directly into chats; nor do they trigger them regularly or dynamically, to foster deeper discussions over a sustained period. No apps have rewards systems designed to specifically incentivize meaningful engagement. No apps have matchmaking systems that adapt dynamically based on users’ past conversations. No apps support the combination of real-time, one-on-one themed conversations with curated prompts. Traction: As an incorporated business with over a year of experience, we have helped thousands of users build platonic, professional, and interest-based connections. For example, users in relationships join our events to find new friends, and professionals use Spark Matches to discuss shared interests like technology. Consistent feedback highlights our prompts and structured events as refreshing alternatives to superficial, appearance-driven platforms. Our rapidly growing user base has validated the demand for these features, and we would like to bring this experience natively to them via a mobile app on the App Store. Additional Context: While some basic chat functionality may overlap with existing platforms, our focus is on facilitating meaningful conversations and incentivizing a thoughtful conversation culture that represents a novel approach validated by user research and feedback. We welcome advice from developers who have successfully highlighted their app’s uniqueness when facing similar review challenges. Thank you in advance! :)

In December 2022 we published an app. Since then, we published countless updates, never had any problem with the app. We have hundreds of new users daily, got far more than 100k downloads in total, have paying/subscribed users. The beginning of December 2024 in app update that shoudl fix a crucial bug, we suddenly received this rejection: _"Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam: We continue to notice that your app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as apps submitted to the App Store by other developers, 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."_ What makes it even worse is: In our latest update that we published is a very crucial bug. Literally just days after we noticed this bug we fixed it and sent another version for review. Since then the rejections happened. I do not understand why Apple, out of nowhere, suddenly, prevents us to update/fix our application. It caused us to work more than 10+ hours per day during the christmas holidays. We made so many changes to our app, rebranded our entire app, improved UI/UX, added unique features, languages, and so on to our app. But whatever we send for review simply gets rejected again, and again with the same reason. What is happening? Why would they even prevent an app that has a 100k+ downloads, paying/subscribed users, was released two years ago, etc. from updating? We have responsibilities towards our users (especially paying users!) It is incredibly frustrating and demotivating to have an incognito person (who knows who the app reviewer is?!) above you and your product and to literally decide over YOUR faith. We already sent it to appeal but no reply at all. As we write this, we already have lost thousands of dollars in the past few weeks. Not only have we lost so much money, but we have worked 80+ hours to fix this problem, simply to get the same old rejection without real explanation. Did I already mention that we published the app in December 2022? We have no control over that someone copies our product our our features. Why would they punish us? Why was it totally fine to publish the app and to have 20+ (or even far more) updates published without any problem, but when we try to fix a crucial bug, suddenly we get rejected like this? After spending such a long time to add unique features, updating the app, and so on, to simply get rejected again, after we tried so hard to solve this problem, we get rejected just with the same reason. I asked them: What do you exactly want us to change? No answer. Just the same copy and paste reply. It is incredibly frustrating. I am even thinking to take legal actions. They are literally preventing us to update our product. We are the ones who get emails every single day from customers. We have a huge monetary loss as well. I feel so disappointed and angry at the same time.

I created an app and submitted to app store for review and got a rejection with "4.3(a) - Design - Spam". This one was created for brand new, and I didn't find any similar apps in App store. I searched in this forum but am not sure if it is because I used flutter to build my app? How could I get a bit more specific detail why it got rejected? Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam We noticed your app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as apps submitted to the App Store by other developers, 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 your app concept and submit a unique app with distinct content and functionality.

Hi there, I submitted my app for review a month ago, but I haven’t received any updates yet. Is this a typical timeline for Apple reviews? Are there any alternative communication channels with Apple, such as chat or phone calls, besides the review and support email, as these methods seem ineffective? Thanks for your assistance.

unable to add for review the items below are required to start the review process: new apps and app updates must be built with the latest public (gm) versions of xcode, and the ios, macos, watchos, and tvos sdks. apps built with

I previously written here, and some advices were to appeal to rejection sending them message describing uniqueness of the app. Nothing is working. In short, i have a vpn app (of course by design shares some concept with other apps that are in the app store). But since the rejection i have completely changed the ui, added built in browser, p2p messenger so users could interact with each other without any interference. The app is completely free with no ads. I thought this is it, there's no way it would reject this time, but... i get a notification with rejection repeating the same old message. I'm extremely frustrated and don't know what to do. Tried changing the logo of the app, the name to "Incognito - Messenger, VPN", app store screenshots. I've already appealed with screenshots describing unique features that other vpn apps don't have, but the message just repeats from app review team. Submission ID: 1a49ee0b-c4e2-4a36-8372-e4d3b9a8b13f Does anybody have an advice what i can do?

Hi everyone, We are developing an app, Video Tradie, which operates as a marketplace platform connecting customers with independent tradespeople for consultations. The app facilitates scheduling, communication, and payments but does not directly provide any services—our role is strictly as a facilitator. For payment processing, we are currently integrating Stripe to handle invoicing, payment splits to tradespeople, and detailed reporting features that are essential to our business model. However, we want to ensure compliance with Apple’s App Store guidelines, particularly regarding: Digital Services vs. Physical Services: Since the app facilitates consultations (virtual services), would it fall under Apple’s in-app purchase requirements, or could it qualify for exemptions, similar to apps facilitating physical services? Stripe Integration: If we continue using Stripe for payments, are we allowed to remit Apple’s 15% commission (under the Small Business Programme) while not using Apple’s payment infrastructure? Marketplace Positioning: Does positioning our app as a marketplace rather than a direct service provider exempt us from using Apple’s in-app payment system? Alternative Billing Options: If operating in regions like the EU or South Korea, where alternative billing is permitted, are there specific steps we need to follow to comply? We are seeking clarification to ensure we develop the app in a way that aligns with Apple’s expectations. If anyone has experience with similar setups or advice on communicating with Apple during the submission process, I’d greatly appreciate your input! Thank you!

I had tens of updates with no problems and my review times have always been less than 48 hours and 95% of the times even less than a couple of hours. Unfortunately I have a critical update now that seems to got stuck for days now. The update is critical, because it contains a Wrapped 2024 functionality for our users, and the longer it takes the less relevant it becomes. Anybody else experiencing this? Can it have to do with the fact that i removed my update from review and submitted another one? I removed it from review on 31 Dec and submitted a new one on 31 dec. I guess the review time start counting again when you resubmit, but I'm afraid this resubmission (that we normally dont do) might be the reason of the app getting stuck.

I recently submitted my app, Ai voice changer - Video effects (Build version 1.0.0 (2)), for beta testing and received feedback indicating that my app was rejected due to a violation of Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam. The rejection email states that my app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept to apps already submitted to the App Store, with only minor differences, leading to the classification of my app as spam. I would like to respectfully request clarification regarding the specific aspects of my app that led to this rejection. I have ensured that the app I submitted offers unique functionalities and has been carefully designed to stand out from other apps in the same category. The features of my app, including apply voice changer effects on videos, were developed with originality and are intended to offer a new experience to users. To provide additional context, my app was created using a unique approach and has distinct features compared to other voice changers available on the App Store. However, I am open to any suggestions on how I can improve the app’s submission to meet your guidelines fully. My goal is to provide a valuable and unique tool for users, and I would appreciate further guidance on how to address the perceived overlap with other apps. Could you please provide specific examples or areas where my app may appear too similar to others, and what steps I can take to resolve this issue? I would be grateful for any assistance or suggestions on how I can resubmit my app with full compliance to the App Store guidelines. Thank you for your time and support. I look forward to your response and the opportunity to resolve this matter. Best regards, Jay limbani Ai voice changer - video effects

A new app I have submitted to Apple App Review for iOS/tvOS/macOS has been rejected for tvOS because it is apparently crashing on launch. The same build has been approved by App Review for iOS and macOS. So far, App Review have not provided me with a crash report, and despite a lot of trying, I cannot get the crash to occur either on a real device or on any version of the Apple TV in the simulator. Apart from constantly asking App Review for the crash report, I don't know how to resolve this, and that means I either have to give up on tvOS for this app, delay the launch, or perhaps start another submission and get lucky with a different reviewer that doesn't experience the crash (but then what if lots of users do?). I've tried running a release build on my devices and the simulator; but I'm not sure how I'm supposed to debug this without a crash to work with. The TestFlight build for the same upload that is crashing for App Review works just fine. Any suggestions would be welcome.

My app is about voting and creating polls for various ideas, concepts and companies (for example Cola - Pepsi). People can vote as many times as they want for each option, so this is an engagement comparison - not number of fans comparison. Apple rejected my review several times for violation of the copyright law. I use icons to represent options - logos too. I consider the use of the logos as fair use under the copyright law, but Apple stil rejects the app. I cannot give up on logos, because the app fully relies on them. But what can I do? Please I need help!

Hello, I am facing a recurring issue during the review process of my app, FlexicX, and I am struggling to understand the exact concerns raised by the App Store Review Team under Guideline 4.3. Each time I submit my app, I receive a response stating that it duplicates the content and functionality of other apps already on the App Store and is therefore considered a form of spam. However, no specific examples or comparisons are provided to help me understand which parts of my app are considered problematic or why. I submitted an appeal over a week ago but have not received any substantive response. Each time I contact support, I receive nearly identical replies, reiterating that the app duplicates functionality, but no clarification is given as to what exactly they believe is duplicated. This lack of detail is incredibly frustrating and makes it feel like the guidance is to simply “throw out the app and remake it,” which is neither realistic nor fair. FlexicX is a highly innovative game that has already garnered a large following. It has hundreds of thousands of downloads on Google Play and a growing community eagerly awaiting its release on iOS. The game has a dedicated YouTube channel where players share their excitement, gameplay, and feedback. Our game offers unique and groundbreaking features, including: • A proprietary softbody physics engine that delivers realistic, real-time deformation and energy transfer. • The ability to grab, drag, and manipulate vehicles with a finger, providing unparalleled interactivity. • Advanced replay functionality, allowing players to save and review their gameplay. • The option to program movements for AI-controlled bots, creating dynamic and engaging scenarios. • A variety of realistic crash scenarios and customizable vehicles for players to experiment with. • High-performance softbody physics that run smoothly even on mobile devices. • A focus on realism and creativity, enabling players to explore car destruction in ways not possible in any other app. Despite these unique features, I continue to receive feedback asking me to make the app “unique.” However, without clear examples or detailed explanations of what aspects are being flagged, it is extremely difficult to understand how to address this feedback. I understand the importance of maintaining a diverse ecosystem on the App Store, but our app is truly one of a kind. While some apps may claim to have “softbody” physics, their implementations are often superficial or static. FlexicX is the only app that provides a full-fledged, real-time softbody physics experience, delivering unparalleled realism and excitement to players. Our community is eagerly waiting for the iOS version of the game, and it is disheartening to be unable to move forward due to vague and unclear feedback. Could anyone provide advice or share their experience in addressing such issues? Is there a way to request more detailed feedback or examples from the review team to better understand their concerns? Without this, it feels impossible to know how to proceed. Thank you for your time and support!

**Hi everyone ** We try to add BackgroundAssetExtension to our project, in local testing work fine, but when we try upload app to TestFlight we get some errors that we don't know how to fix. App Supported Destinations: iPhone, iPad, Mac(Designed for iPad) Minimum Deployments: iOS 12 BackgroundAssetExtension Minimum Deployments: iOS 16.4 Error when try to upload to TestFlight: "<IDEDistributionIssue: severity(error), error(Error Domain=ContentDelivery Code=90171 \"Asset validation failed\" UserInfo={IDEDistributionIssueSeverity=3, NSLocalizedDescription=Asset validation failed, NSLocalizedRecoverySuggestion=Invalid bundle structure. The \U201cDemo.app/decompressed_data_5.bin\U201d binary file is not permitted. Your app cannot contain standalone executables or libraries, other than a valid CFBundleExecutable of supported bundles. For details, visit: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/bundleresources/placing_content_in_a_bundle (ID: 3dfe207a-b4e5-43db-9464-fcf59a730545)})>", "<IDEDistributionIssue: severity(error), error(Error Domain=ContentDelivery Code=90924 \"Asset validation failed\" UserInfo={IDEDistributionIssueSeverity=3, NSLocalizedDescription=Asset validation failed, NSLocalizedRecoverySuggestion=Invalid Info.plist value. (ID: 073b5957-2e5b-4a7b-a4ae-7735b30a2d05)})>" when we checked archive (Show package contents) that many files like compressed_data_1.bin compressed_data_2.bin compressed_data_3.bin compressed_data_4.bin compressed_data_5.bin compressed_data_6.bin decompressed_data_1.bin decompressed_data_2.bin decompressed_data_3.bin decompressed_data_4.bin decompressed_data_5.bin decompressed_data_6.bin We added to main target in Build Phase -> Embed ExtensionKit Extensions Info.plist <key>BAEssentialMaxInstallSize</key> <integer>3250188</integer> <key>BAInitialDownloadRestrictions</key> <dict> <key>BADownloadAllowance</key> <integer>3250188</integer> <key>BADownloadDomainAllowList</key> <array> <string>*</string> <string>*</string> </array> <key>BAEssentialDownloadAllowance</key> <integer>3250188</integer> </dict> <key>BAManifestURL</key> <string>https://*/itemsmeta</string> <key>BAMaxInstallSize</key> <integer>3250188</integer> We will be appreciate for any suggestions :) If need some additional information let me know :pray:

My app is getting rejected for this reason: Issue Description The app requires users to register or log in to access features that are not account based. Specifically, the app requires users to register before accessing any content. Apps may not require users to enter personal information to function, except when directly relevant to the core functionality of the app or required by law. My app does require sign in tho like any social media app and the previous version had been approved no problem. I made an appeal which was rejected for the same reason and I am not getting an answer.

I am absolutely shocked and frustrated by the way the Apple Developer Program operates. My team and I recently attempted to launch two completely unique applications through the platform: Goal Hero and Redsport App. Both apps were thoroughly reviewed by our team lead during a code review to ensure they met all the required standards. However, despite all our efforts, Apple repeatedly rejected our submissions without providing clear, actionable feedback. After multiple attempts to communicate and understand the issues, Apple has now banned our developer account entirely and hasn’t responded to any of my inquiries for over a month. We are a legitimate game development studio working under the name Betonred. We’ve always adhered to ethical practices and were excited to expand our business on the App Store after years of success on Google Play. This experience has left us questioning Apple’s commitment to supporting developers, especially smaller teams trying to grow. Honestly, at this point, I am considering restructuring our entire business model to return to focusing solely on Google Play. Apple’s lack of transparency, poor communication, and seemingly arbitrary decisions have made it nearly impossible to work effectively within this ecosystem. Has anyone else faced similar issues? What’s the best course of action here? Apple’s system feels completely broken.

I'm looking to distribute multiple versions of an iOS app, each customized with different branding for various clients. I understand that for public App Store submissions, guideline 4.3(a) prohibits multiple Bundle IDs of the same app to prevent spam. My question: Do these same restrictions apply to Custom App Distribution (unlisted apps)? Is it permissible to submit multiple white-labeled versions of the same core app through Custom App Distribution? I've reviewed the Custom Apps documentation but couldn't find clear guidance on this specific scenario. Any insights from developers who have experience with similar situations would be appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help!

In my iOS game, the player must create an Azure PlayFab account and then the player can login with his email address and password in my game. Currently, players cannot delete their account in my game. Is it necessary that there is an option in my game where the player can request to delete his Azure PlayFab account? In addition, is it necessary that the player can request the deletion of his Azure PlayFab account on my game's website? I don't know if my game would get rejected in the App review if players cannot delete their Azure PlayFab account.

Todo Hi Developers, I need help regarding App Store review process. When I sent my game for the review my game contains Ads in it the problem here is when I sent my game for review. I am using Admob ads. When I use real ids for ads the ads don't run in testing process and when someone on apple review my game he don't get ads because the ads don't run in testing process unless I use test ids and when in the review process when the ads don't show up the review get reject saying that nothing is happening when the button are pressed and when I send the game with test ids it says that the game contain test ads which can't be accepted. Help me in how can I get my game accepted with ads in it. Thanks.