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

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.

hii submitted app yesterday to review, This morning I was surprised that the application was rejected, Reason 4.3 Design: Spam.And I've introduced an application programmed by myself, and a unique design.This message I receivedGuideline 4.3 - DesignWe noticed that your app provides the same feature set as other apps submitted to the App Store; it simply varies in content or language, which is considered a form of spam.The next submission of this app may require a longer review time, and this app will not be eligible for an expedited review until this issue is resolved.what should I do ?

Hi, it's been almost 3 days since I submitted an app update for review. Is anyone else also experiencing such a long waiting for review time ? It's the first time in years this has happened

Hello,I got the following message the second time. I dont know what to do.My app is reviewed and live, but my in app purchases are rejected. I read the message and was wondering about that. This did not happend with my non subscription iaps. I submitted a new "fake" binary with new version and in app purchases again.My app is reviewed and live with new version. My purchases not. I got this message again.We have begun the review of your In-App Purchase(s) but aren't able to continue because your submitted In-App Purchase(s) indicate a change of business model for your app. Therefore, we need to verify the implementation of your submitted In-App Purchase(s) in the app to ensure your app, and its In-App Purchase(s), are in compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines.Specifically, you have submitted auto-renewing subscriptions for review.Please upload a new binary for review and resubmit your In-App Purchase(s) with the binary so that we can continue the review.What to do?

I am looking for some insight into current App Store review times. The Situation: I submitted my new app for its first review on February 3rd. It has been sitting in the "Waiting for Review" state for 11 days now and has not moved to "In Review." The Impact: We had a major launch event planned for today (Feb 14). We have marketing campaigns live and users waiting, but we have officially missed our launch window because the app is still sitting in the queue. My Questions: Is anyone else experiencing wait times this long (10+ days) just to enter the review stage? How much time does it typically take for a first-time submission to go live once it finally enters review? Is there any way to flag this delay if it has exceeded the standard 48-hour window? We are losing marketing budget every hour this is delayed. Any advice on how to get this moving would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi, I have a completely new release of my app coming out with a new tech stack. I noticed that only 1% of my users were on iPad so the new app was not created to be 'compatible' with iPad including how it looks on iPad. Can I release this new version of the app only for iPhone? Or because it was previously available for iPad I have to release for iPad as well? Really appreciate any support/guidance on this. Thank you!

I'm extremely frustrated with Apple's unfair app review process. To make a long story short, for every app I've ever submitted, Apple has made false accusations about problems with my apps. Some of their feedback has absolutely been legitimate and correct, which I appreciate, but I would say about 50% of all "feedback" I've ever received has turned out to be objectively wrong. In some cases, the App Review team's gaslighting has been so strong that I have had to submit screenshots of code as proof that their accusations were completely wrong, after which they have had to accept the app. In one instance, they have claimed that one of my apps would not be allowed on the App Store at all, and when I link to multiple other apps that works EXACTLY the same way, the App Review team love to point out that you are not allowed to compare yourself to other apps. To be clear, I'm an indie developer and I'm not even comparing myself to apps from large corporations or any popular apps at all (since it's well known they get the VIP treatment), all apps I have compared myself to are from small, unknown indie developers such as myself - so I'm only comparing myself to developers in the same category as me. Telling developers that they are not allowed to compare themselves to other developers is VERY ethically problematic, imagine doing that to minorities in real life. I'm a minority in multiple ways, and I'm very worried about the ethics and moral at the App Review team. When I ask why they reject my app, but approve many apps that were recently released that works EXACTLY the same way as my app, I either get no reply at all or they tell me that I can't compare myself to others. Submitting appeals to the App Review Board doesn't help either. To be completely transparent with you, it has been very hard and draining on my mental health to have this invisible wall consisting of gaslighting that the App Review team has set up for me. It just doesn't make sense... The app review process is unfair, inconsistent and problematic, and it should be a serious eyebrow-raiser when Apple's App Review team can't explain why some small indie developers get approved easily while others get rejected. Especially since it seems like the pattern is that those who get rejected are humans in various kinds of minorities, as evidences by some other threads on this topic.

I wanted to add subscription plan into my app for a new release. I have bottom sheet showing promotional text for this subscription like below They rejected my app because We were unable to find the following required information in your app's binary: – A functional link to the Terms of Use (EULA) – A functional link to the privacy policy So I added both links for terms and privacy policy in the promotional text. I use the standard Apple EULA for the link. And I still get rejected on the latest review because Specifically, We were unable to find the following required item(s) in your app's metadata: – A functional link to the Terms of Use (EULA) WHY? is it because I should put this link in my App Description page instead of the promotional text? Then why they didn't make noise about the link to privacy policy?

My iOS app currently holds a 3.5★ rating with limited reviews, and I’d like to raise it by motivating happy users to share feedback. I’m looking for ethical ways to do this without being pushy. What are the best strategies and timing for review prompts to boost ratings while keeping users satisfied?

I’m posting this here as a last resort as I’ve exhausted all options including numerous unsuccessful messages and appeals to the App Review Team and App Review Board. On April 1, 2022, a simple bug fix update was rejected and the app and account was under investigation. This had never happened to me before so I wasn’t sure what was going on. After a couple of days, the App Review Team concluded their investigation and rejected my app due to 4.3.0 spam design (“same features to other apps”). This took me surprise as my app was doing well and offered users unique features not found on other similar apps. These features were added due to request from my customers. I then realized this was most likely caused by a copyright claim my app received in March by another app developer that had a similar app on the App Store. The copyright claim was recently dropped by the complainant as their rights were not being infringed but it appears that my app and account have been flagged as a spammer. All because of a false copyright claim filed by the complainant. Now, I’ve gone back and fourth with the App Review Team and the App Review Board via email, phone, appeals without any success. They keep providing the same response of 4.3 design spam “same feature set as other apps”. I’ve provided them a video demo of the unique features, screenshots of the unique source code, and I’ve redesigned the app completely yet they keep rejecting. The sad part is the complainant who filed this false copyright claim ended up copying the features of my app recently and their app got approved yet my app keeps getting rejected since April 1, 2022. I’m certain my app and account has been flagged as a spammer account due to the false copyright claim. I’ve spent several thousands of dollars on research and development, time, effort, and thousands on Apple Ads and it appears the App Review Team and App Review Board has killed my app due to a false copyright claim which the complainant dropped themselves as they had no case. I’m requesting help from anyone as I’ve exhausted all options. Thank you

Hi all, Like others my app submission has been stuck in “waiting for review” for weeks. I know initial app reviews take longer than updates, but this has been delayed far too long and makes me concerned about repeating the process in the future. I submitted this app for review back on Feb 10. It was initially rejected for a minor issue, which I resolved and resubmitted the same day. After that, the build remained in “Waiting for Review” for about two weeks with no further communication. At that point I canceled the submission and resubmitted the build, thinking it may have been stuck in the queue (I now know not to do this next time). Unfortunately the new submission has also been waiting for review for another 9 days now with no messages or updates. I’ve contacted app review support as well (case ID- 102826632729). I understand review times can vary, but delays like this make it difficult for developers to plan launches or push updates when the review process is the only path to distributing apps. As paying members of the Apple Developer Program, we rely heavily on this pipeline functioning reliably. Hoping this post will reach someone from Apple who can help move the process along. If any other devs have suggestions/tips that have worked for them, please share so others in this position can become unblocked. Thanks in advance.

I am seriously taken aback by the efficiency of the App Review team. Jul 8, 2022 at 2:46 PM - We submitted our app on this date. Jul 9, 2022 at 10.47 AM - Our app was rejected due to 5.1.1 Legal - Data Collection and Storage. Jul 9, 2022 at 1.02 PM - I provided detailed information in relation to our business being in a highly regulated industry. Jul 13, 2022 at 8.22 AM - App Review Team replied stating that additional time is required to review. App Review status was changed to App In Review. Jul 13, 2022 at 8.36 AM - I received the same message that the issue previously identified requires our attention. Jul 13, 2022 at 1.42 PM - I replied again that information has been provided and it was confusing to have received another same App Rejection message. I contacted the App Review Team for assistance and was assured that my app will be reviewed. Jul 14, 2022 at 9.57 AM - App Review team replied that the team will continue the review and will notify if there are any further issues. 27 Jul, 2022 at 3.10 AM - App Review team replied with the same rejection message again "The issues we previously identified still need your attention..." 27 Jul, 2022 at 4.05 AM - I replied explaining that this is the 3rd time App Review team provided the same, non-helpful message and I have provided the information right from the start. 28 Jul, 2022 at 10.27 AM - App Review team replied with the same message intent explaining the policy and requested for additional information AGAIN. 28 Jul, 2022 at 10.40 AM - I replied with FRUSTRATION, providing my detail explanation and information once again (which was already provided on the Jul 9, 2022, 1.02 PM). This app has been withheld since Jul 8. Another app of ours was approved merely after 2 days of submission with the similar additional information provided in the submission notes. The App Review team has been very UNHELPFUL by replying templated messages. I am not sure the team reads through the trail of communications. Many time and money has been wasted when we had to go back to our legal advisors. I need proper avenues to get this push through. Is this a common poor attitude and service of the App Review team? Can someone from the App Review team shed some light on this?

Hi, I have an application published in the Marketplace. I made certain updates to the app. I did my tests.No problem. I did my tests via Testflight. There is no problem I encountered. But my app update request was returned by app review. The answer i got from them ;  "Specifically, our login attempt displayed loading indefinitely; we were unable to access the app features and functionality." Here are the ways that I tried and the app worked successfully. Connect from America using VPN.No problem, it works. I connected from using IPV6.No problem, it works. I tried with simulator.No problem, it works. I tried real device.No problem , it works. I tried testflight.No problem, it works. I tired version 15.2 and earlier.No problem , it works. I have no idea why apple staff are getting this error. Has anyone encountered such a problem before? What solutions would you suggest? I'm waiting for your help.

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.

I realize there are already several posts here about the unusually long review times for app submissions. There are some replies from Apple stating that they are looking into it or that specific issues have been resolved, but the problem persists and no one seems to understand what is actually happening or what can be done to improve the situation. I have been experiencing the same issue over the past six weeks. My app (submission ID: 75aed892-ee07-49e1-b62b-fdd54f1b04f8) was rejected because the reviewer stated that it needed “citations, such as links to resources.” I therefore added citations with functional links to online resources directly on the page where the claims were made, yet my app was rejected again with exactly the same copy-and-paste feedback. I then asked for clarification, but my question has remained unanswered for a week. There seems to be a fundamental problem in the App Store review process. For me, it has become a cumbersome issue, as the unexpectedly long response times are causing me to miss deadlines with my customers. We fix and resubmit our app within minutes, literally, but every time we have to wait weeks for the next reply from Apple. Should we pause submissions for a while and focus on other activities, and manage expectations with our customers accordingly? Or is this a temporary situation that is likely to improve soon? Any insights or tips would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Hi all, We're looking for some level of explanation explaining the delay in review times since the New Year. I develop an Application that has been on the AppStore for almost a decade and this is a fully functional business. Historically, Apple were quite good with review times and feedback but since the New Year we're suffered massively trying to get important fixes out to our users. This has begun to negatively effect the bottom line of the business. On top of that, when we ARE lucky enough to get a review, Reviewers have started to make complaints about certain Info.plist declarations that we've had for the longest time with no issue, and they're only being raised as issues now. These rejections lead to further 4-5 day wait times for a review and our customers are on our backs daily looking for answers of why we can't deploy these fixes. Is this the new reality at Apple? What is the reasoning for these delays? Influx of new apps? Cuts to your review department? Change in how Applications reviews are prioritised? Not even Expedited Reviews are helping as they should. Please provide us with an explanation of what's going on here because our customers are furious. Kind regards, K

Hello everyone, My app (ID: 6758039899) was submitted on Feb 17, 2026, and has been stuck in "Waiting for Review" status for over 8 days. I contacted Developer Support (case #20000108234172) and received confirmation that it's proceeding normally, but no update since. On average, Apple reviews 90 percent of apps within 24 hours. However, there might be cases that need more review time, but mine exceeds a week. Any recent experiences with long queues? Thanks!

Our app was just rejected by Apple because they say the subscription management sheet never loads. It just spins indefinitely. We're using StoreKit's manageSubscriptionsSheet view modifier to present the sheet, and it's always worked for us when testing in SandBox. Has anyone else had this problem? Given that it's Apple's own code that got us rejected, what's our path forward?

Hello Apple Team, We're reaching out as part of a wider group of developers and businesses who have seen repeated App Store rejections under Guideline 5.0 - Legal, specifically related to U.S. sanctions on Syria. However, as of July 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (OFAC) has officially lifted those sanctions for commercial activities. This is clearly stated in the latest OFAC FAQ. Also visiting the link that we get from apple reviewers https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/pages/syria.aspx is not any more there and dose not include Syria at all. Despite this, rejections continue for those apps :( . Question: Has the App Review system been updated to reflect the July 1 OFAC decision? If not, is there a timeline for when Apple will begin processing these changes in the review flow? Our community is trying hard to work and build apps for middle east zones and Syria is part, this rejections brin heavy burdens on our community and makes unable to bring great apps for those markets. Thank you for your support.

We submitted our apps on June 26th 2025, in order to make them available to our customers. To date, we have heard nothing from the AppStore Connect team. The availability of these apps on the store is vital to the operation of our company, since our customers are eagerly awaiting their use, which is a drag on our sales. It's frustrating not to have a faster service, especially as we pay an annual fee, without having more information on potential slowdowns such as during the Christmas period. Any help or visibility would be appreciated Wishing you a good day and good luck to my fellow developers if you're in the same situation. Best regards,

Hello Apple Developer Community, I’m seeking advice regarding a prolonged App Store review that is currently impacting our business. Our app was submitted more than two months ago, and the review process has not progressed since then. During this time, we sent two support emails to Apple Developer Support requesting assistance. We did receive one response stating that the app was “in review”, but unfortunately the message did not provide any useful details, timeline, or further guidance, and there has been no additional update since then. This delay is now blocking our business launch, as the mobile application is a critical component of our product release. Without App Store approval, we cannot proceed with launching our service to customers. Summary of the situation: Submission date: More than 2 months ago Current status: Pending Support requests sent: 2 emails to Apple Developer Support Responses received: 1 reply saying the app was “in review,” but no meaningful information Impact: Blocking our planned business launch We understand that review times can vary, but waiting this long without meaningful feedback or communication has become very challenging for our team. If anyone has experienced a similar situation or knows: How to escalate a long-pending review Alternative ways to contact the App Review team Whether there are currently unusual delays in the review process Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and support.