Title: Mistaken 4.3(a) “Spam/Copycat” Flag → 3.2(f) Termination — Seeking Guidance on Reinstatement Hi everyone, I’m an independent developer and I believe my account was escalated to termination because of a misunderstanding around Guideline 4.3(a) – Design – Spam and 4.1 – Design – Copycats. I want to explain the full timeline so I can get advice on how to present this correctly in the “Re-instate a terminated membership” request. 1. What I submitted I submitted an app called “Anime Jigsaw: Waifu Puzzles.” The idea was simple: it’s a jigsaw puzzle app, but I wanted to make it more relaxing by combining anime/waifu themed puzzle images with built-in lo‑fi music. So the concept I was aiming for was: puzzle + themed art + calming music, not just another generic jigsaw clone. 2. First rejection Apple rejected it under 4.3(a) – Design – Spam and also mentioned 4.1 – Copycats. The exact wording in App Store Connect said my app’s binary, metadata and/or concept was similar to apps that were previously submitted by a terminated Apple Developer Program account. They also reminded me that resubmitting similar or repackaged apps makes it harder for users to discover new apps. At this point I was confused, because I do not own or control any terminated developer account. I wrote the code myself. So my first answer inside App Store Connect tried to clarify the unique part: anime‑style jigsaw + lo‑fi music to create a “relaxing puzzle session.” 3. Where the problem started When I replied, I accidentally selected the same build (1.0.2) again. I thought I was only replying to the reviewer in the same thread. But from Apple’s side it now looked like: the app was warned for spam/repackaged → developer sends the same binary and concept again → violation not fixed. Because of that, the system can easily read this as “attempt to bypass or evade review.” 4. Second message from Apple Apple repeated 4.3(a) with exactly the same explanation: they still saw a similar binary/metadata/concept to a previously terminated account. So even though my text explanation was different, my actual uploaded build was not different. This is on me — I understand now that for 4.3/4.1 cases, textual explanation is not enough. You must show the difference in the binary, assets, screenshots, name and description. 5. Escalation to 3.2(f) After these repeated submissions, I received the more serious mail: my developer membership (or an account associated with me) had been used for dishonest or fraudulent activity under Section 3.2(f). The reason they gave was basically: “after multiple resubmissions, the guideline violations remain unresolved.” From their point of view this is a pattern similar to re‑packaging or circulating a template that had already been rejected. 6. Why I believe this was not dishonest I am a single indie dev. There is no group of accounts behind me. I did not try to resubmit for a banned seller. My mistake was operational: I replied with the same build, so it kept triggering the spam signal. I really thought clarifying “this is a puzzle app + lo‑fi music” would be enough, but that doesn’t prove originality in their system. 7. What I plan to tell Apple in the reinstatement form I acknowledge that re‑submitting the same build in the same thread made it look like spam. I will upload a completely new binary (or even a new bundle ID) so the reviewer can actually see a changed app. I will replace or document all puzzle assets to show they are original / licensed / generated and not taken from a terminated account. I will rewrite the App Store metadata so it doesn’t look like another anime puzzle clone and so it highlights the “relaxing session” feature. I will not re‑submit small incremental changes to a previously rejected build. I will only submit again when the violation is actually fixed. 8. What I’m asking the community Has anyone been flagged as “similar to a terminated account” even though they had only one account? Is choosing the same build during the reply flow enough to make it look like 4.3(a) spam? What level of asset/source proof did you send to convince App Review that the app is fully your own work? I respect Apple’s need to keep the App Store clean, but in this case I believe the escalation happened because my resubmission did not show the changes they were asking for, not because I was trying to cheat the system. Any guidance or examples from people who successfully explained this would be really helpful. Thanks.

I've got rejected 3 times because of this: Guideline 1.2 - Safety - User-Generated Content We found in our review that your app includes user-generated content but does not have all the required precautions. Apps with user-generated content must take specific steps to moderate content and prevent abusive behavior. To resolve this issue, please revise your app to implement the following precautions: A mechanism for users to block abusive users My app already includes a full blocking mechanism. Users can block others at any time — once blocked, both users are restricted from viewing each other’s content, profiles, and interactions within the app. Additionally, administrators (marked with a verified checkmark) cannot be blocked, as they are responsible for moderating user-generated content and maintaining community safety. This is an intentional design choice to ensure compliance with moderation and safety requirements. Any ideas if I'm doing anything wrong?

Hello, I submitted a detailed appeal for our app on October 22nd but haven’t received any response or follow-up yet. Could someone from the App Review team please confirm whether the appeal is being evaluated or advise on typical response times? The delay is significantly impacting our operations. Thank you for your help - any update would be greatly appreciated.

I just spent way too many hours trying to figure out why my in-app subscription was stuck in “Missing Metadata” in App Store Connect, even though I had filled out everything. If you're here because you're in the same boat, this is the solution Apple doesn't make obvious. The Problem I created an auto-renewable subscription (Kanabloom Premium) and filled in all required fields. The subscription was still marked "Missing Metadata", preventing me from submitting it. The “In-App Purchases” section wasn’t showing up in my App Store version submission, which meant I couldn't even attach the subscription to my app version. I triple-checked the metadata, pricing, tax settings, review screenshot, and even resaved everything, but nothing worked. What I Tried (Before Finding the Fix) Checked that pricing was set up correctly for all countries. Uploaded the required review screenshot for the subscription. Made sure the subscription group existed and was linked properly. Refreshed, logged out/in, and tried different browsers. Read every Stack Overflow, Reddit, and Apple Developer Forum post I could find. Even tried creating a dummy subscription to see if that would reset the system. The Solution: Localizing the Subscription Group Here’s the stupidly hidden requirement that finally fixed it: ✅ Your subscription group itself (not just the subscription) needs a localized display name. App Store Connect requires each subscription group to have at least one localized display name for it to be valid. If this is missing, all subscriptions inside that group will stay stuck in “Missing Metadata” no matter how complete they are. How to Fix It: Go to App Store Connect > Subscriptions > Subscription Group Click on your subscription group (not the individual subscription). Check if there's a localization added under "Group Reference Name." If missing, add a localization (e.g., English) and save. Refresh the page and boom – the subscription will finally be "Ready to Submit." Conclusion Apple really needs to make this requirement clearer. Now that I’ve finally figured it out, hopefully, this post helps someone else avoid losing hours of their life to the same issue. If you're still stuck, double-check that: You’ve set pricing and enabled "Cleared for Sale." You’ve uploaded a review screenshot for the subscription. You’ve signed all App Store agreements and banking/tax documents. Your app's In-App Purchase capability is enabled in Xcode. Let me know if this helped you! I wish I had found a post like this sooner. 😂 This should make for a useful and searchable post in case other devs run into the same headache. Let me know if you want any tweaks before posting! 🚀

Hi everyone, I’m looking for clarification regarding App Store Review Guideline 4.3 (Spam) and how it applies to unlisted apps. The guideline mentions that “Apps that are duplicates of others, or that spam the App Store with similar content, may be removed from the App Store or from the Apple Developer Program.” In my case, I’m considering distributing several unlisted apps that share a similar codebase but are customized for different clients (for example, with distinct branding and configurations). These apps would not be searchable or publicly listed on the App Store — they would only be accessible through direct links. Could anyone confirm whether Guideline 4.3 still applies to unlisted apps in the same way it does to publicly listed apps? If not, what is the recommended approach for distributing such client-specific builds while remaining compliant with Apple’s policies? Thanks in advance for any clarification.

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 Apple Team Help Me.

I have two apps on my account. Both apps are older than 3-4 months, and I have published a few updates as well. However, since last week, I've tried to update both apps, and they've been showing "Waiting for Review." Since this was happening for both apps, I resubmitted them and requested an expedited review. Now only one has been accepted for expedited review and its status changed to "In Review," but it's still not ready for sale. I've been trying to update both of my apps for two weeks now, but there's been no progress from "Waiting for Review." Has anybody else faced this issue? Can anyone help?

hey everyone, recently we noticed an issue on AppStoreConnect here is brief , understandable, short description. when we upgraded our app from 2.1.8 to 2.4.9 we noticed something is not adding up, then we find out that the number of devices have been increased in AppStoreConnect - iPad/ Apple watch have been added. we checked the source code - the supported devices were just iPhone (which is what we want) -pls check XCODE.png we doubt something is not correct. in AppStoreConnect we checked previous release which was 2.1.8 - it was showing correct device just iPhone. pls check AppStoreConnect-previous.png in the most recent submission which was ready to submit 2.4.9 - the number of devices have been increased to 3. pls check AppStoreConnect-latest.png here is the screenshot: screenshot from XCODE.png screenshot from AppStoreConnect-latest.png (we believe its wrong) screenshot from AppStoreConnect-previous.png (correct one) it turns out that App Review team came with idea that our app is not correctly working on iPad (obviously appreciate their effort they found 2 more issues on the app besides with that) , but our App is not intended to work on iPad.

Hi everyone, I am developing a mobile application designed for rug cleaning businesses. The app allows businesses to register, subscribe, and use various tools to manage their daily operations — such as job tracking, rug status updates, and team coordination. Essentially, our platform provides a SaaS solution specifically for professional rug cleaning companies, not for general consumers. I have a couple of questions: Since the app is meant only for registered businesses, and users must have a valid business account to access the core features — what are the chances of the app being rejected during App Store review? If I integrate Apple In-App Purchase (IAP) for subscription instead of using an external payment method (like Stripe), would that reduce the chances of rejection, or could there still be issues since it’s a B2B app? Any guidance or real experiences with similar business-use apps would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Dinesh

Hi Apple Review Team, The app I submitted last week thursday has been in "waiting for review" for several days, but there has been no result yet. Could you please help with the progress of the review? App Name: Garcia Sports Shop Bundle ID: garciasports.shop.app

Hello, I have a new app with one in-app purchase and App Store Connect says I need to submit an app for review to get the in-app purchase reviewed and approved. But, my review always gets rejected, because obviously the in-app purchase doesn't work, as the product can't be found. So I already answered this, but it still got rejected a second time. So how can I have the in-app purchase approved, before the app gets reviewed? Thank you in advance.

Hello, My app (App ID: 1616628950) has been in the “In Review” state for quite some time. I first submitted it on October 14, and it stayed in review for over 7 days without any update. I then resubmitted the same build on October 21, but it’s still in review as of now. Normally, my app reviews are completed within 1–2 days, so this delay seems unusual. There were no policy-related updates in this version. I just wanted to share this here in case someone from the review team could take a quick look or check if the submission might be stuck. Thank you very much for your time and understanding!

Hi Apple Review Team, The app I submitted last week has been in review for several days, but there has been no result yet. Could you please help with the progress of the review? App Name:BackYouUp Bundle ID:com.teacherscheduler.myapp

Apple review says , my app displayed an error when we attempted to purchase subscriptions. Please review the details and resources below and complete the next steps. Device type: iPad Air (5th generation) OS version: iPadOS 26.0.1 Next Steps When validating receipts on your server, your server needs to be able to handle a production-signed app getting its receipts from Apple’s test environment. The recommended approach is for your production server to always validate receipts against the production App Store first. If validation fails with the error code "Sandbox receipt used in production," you should validate against the test environment instead. Question: Is it due to Device being used by reviewer or is it really from my code. As my code relies on Apple infrastructure for purchases and all things. Initially i did had subscription reporting api for receipt handling and all.When i went through with ChatGPT it did say that issue is due to half baked subscription module on my server. So i decided not to send any Subscription related things to backend, now it's Apple only and on App side. Is it correct fix ? Or do i need to fix backend even though i have no use for it ? My team did test in sandbox env via internal testing that time we had no issues. And all was tested using Mobile devices, that's why i still have question just to be sure these errors are due to devices or not? Screenshot shared by Apple team did show they got a error popup saying Something went wrong : Unable to complete request. I am trying to reproduce in development but can't. Anyone had got same issue before and has information on how to resolve and test for it will be helpful. Thanks Shikhar Sahu

We have a VPN application and we were required by the review team to change the text in the "Add VPN Configuration" dialog due to guideline 5.4.0 Legal: VPN Apps: make it clear to the user what data is being collected and how it will be used in the permission request. It appears that showing that information in the view preceding the VPN configuration adding attempt is no longer enough. However we haven't found any changes in the API allowing to change the text in the mentioned dialog. Is there a technical possibility to change the text in the add VPN configuration dialog? Thank you

Hello, Our app (App ID: 6753726496), submitted on October 15, 2025, at 10:19 PM, is still waiting for review with no status change in App Store Connect. We have also requested an expedited review and have an open support case regarding this submission (Case ID: 102728891684). Could someone from the App Review team please check if this app might be stuck in the review queue or let us know if any action is required from our side? Thank you for your time and assistance.

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 thinking they are downloading something they are not.” Next Steps Learn more about requirements to prevent apps from impersonating other apps or services in guideline 4.1. Revise the app to comply with these requirements. Once the app is fully compliant, resubmit the app for review. —————— Also I've already tried contaction the Apple Developer team but I got no answer. I don't know what to do. Thanks

Hi Everyone,I am a bit confused. Apple got back to me regarding to my app with an "Information Needed" mark asking about the advertisements (why did not it showed up during their review phase). Reviewer also did not find the In App Purchase Restore button, so the binary got rejected.I am confused what to now, as they were asking me to reply regarding to the Ads (which I did, and also explained where is the Restore button). However, do I also need to appeal the rejection? How long it takes until they read my answer and review it accordingly?Thanks,Tamas

Hello, My app (App ID: 6753706741) has been waiting for review since October 10, 2025, it’s now been over 4 days without any change in status. I submitted another app around the same time, and that one was already reviewed and published, so it seems there may be an issue or bug affecting this specific submission. I’ve also requested an expedited review, but there’s been no update yet. Could someone from the App Review team please check if this app might be stuck in the queue or if any additional action is required on my side? Thank you for your help.

Dear App Review Team, Our app – Apple ID 6749515097 has been stuck in the “Waiting for Review” status for over 5 days (since October 14, 2025). Normally, reviews begin within a few days, but in our case, it seems unusually delayed. Could you please clarify: • Is there a specific reason for this extended hold? • Is any action required from our side? • When can we expect the review to proceed? Thank you very much for your time and assistance.