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

200 Posts

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Activity

As iOS developers, what’s the biggest pain point you’d like Apple to fix?
I’ve observed several areas in iOS where user experience could be enhanced, such as keyboard flexibility, animation speed, biometric options, cache management, background uploads, navigation reliability, and automation features. Addressing these aspects would not only improve usability but also align iOS more closely with diverse user needs across regions and use cases. What enhancements would you consider most valuable?
5
1
312
Feb ’26
Why does my app not appear in App Store search results even though the keyword is added in App metadata?
In App Store Connect metadata I added keywords expecting App Store and Apple Watch searches to surface my app using those terms. However searching those keywords does not show my app and it only appears when I search by the app name so I am unsure what is incorrect.
1
1
129
Feb ’26
How has your experience with ASO been, and did paid App Store ads make a noticeable positive impact?
I’m launching my game on May 9 and have been going through Apple’s App Store course. It’s informative but also feels like a marketing push. For those who’ve tried App Store campaigns, did they actually drive results like views, conversions, or in-app purchases? Sharing your app/industry for context would be super helpful.
2
0
330
Feb ’26
iOS app marketing and ASO can be really challenging and frustrating.
I’ve been working on marketing my iOS app, but it’s been quite frustrating so far. ASO hasn’t brought the results I expected, and I’m not sure what to try next. I’d like to learn more about indie app marketing beyond keyword tweaks-any blogs, courses, books, or communities you’d recommend for understanding effective strategies and improving app visibility?
2
1
179
Feb ’26
Review taking much longer than usual
Hi everyone, Just wanted to ask if anyone else has noticed longer-than-normal review times recently. Our latest app has been sitting in “In Review” for more than a week now. Normally our apps get reviewed much faster, so we’re unsure if this is just a backlog or something else. Currently: No communication from Apple No visible issues in metadata Review status hasn’t changed Curious to know: • Are others seeing similar delays? • Does this usually mean a deeper/manual review? • When should we reach out to Apple? • How do you usually contact App Review for status checks? Would love to hear your experiences. Thanks!
2
1
242
Feb ’26
App "In review" for long time
Dear App Review Team, Our app – Apple ID 6754872058 has been stuck in the “In Review” status for over 7 days (since Jan, 15 at 10:44 PM). 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 hold? • Is any action required from our side? • When can we expect the review to finish? Thank you very much for your time and assistance.
2
0
192
Feb ’26
How do you run A/B tests for your iOS app icon in App Store Connect?
Apple’s documentation indicates that iOS now supports A/B testing for app icons, but I haven’t been able to get it working. My app already includes alternate icons within the same binary, yet when I try to set up an A/B test in App Store Connect, there’s no option to change the icon-only screenshots can be updated in a new treatment.
2
0
159
Jan ’26
In-app purchase changes waiting for review for 1 week
Hello Apple Developer Community, It's been almost a week since I submitted an update to an existing In-App Purchase and specifically a text change to the "Display Name" field. All my new localized strings are stuck in "Waiting for Review" status, and the IAP itself shows "Updates Pending Review" (although its status is "Approved"). Do I need to submit a new app version for these metadata changes to be reviewed, even though the IAP was previously approved? Thanks in advance for any insight.
3
0
236
Jan ’26
Is It Still Possible for Indie iOS Apps to Thrive in 2025?
Once, the App Store empowered indie creators - small teams could launch great apps and find users easily. But in 2025, that era feels long gone, with algorithms, big players, and pay-to-win discoverability reshaping everything. Is there still a real chance for indie iOS developers today, or has Apple’s evolving ecosystem made independent success nearly impossible?
3
1
465
Jan ’26
iOS app submission stuck in Waiting for Review for 45 days
Hello, I’m posting here in hopes of getting some help or advice regarding our app submission, which has now been stuck in “Waiting for Review” status for 45 days. We submitted our iOS app on Dec 12, 2025, and since then there has been no movement in the review process. This app is important for our business. The delay is now starting to affect our plans significantly. We called Developer Support, hoping to get some clarity or assistance. Unfortunately, the responses we received were generic and didn’t provide any concrete solutions or timelines. We understand the review process can take time, but 45 days with no progress or transparency feels excessive—especially considering the app was submitted under a developer account that has had previous successful submissions without issue. Here’s a quick summary: • Initial submission: Dec 12, 2025 • Current status: “Waiting for Review” If anyone from the App Review team happens to see this, or if any fellow developers have deal with a similar issue recently and have advice, we would greatly appreciate your insights. This delay is putting real pressure on our timeline, and we’re doing everything we can to resolve it. Thank you for your time and support.
0
1
112
Jan ’26
App review expectations
Hi team, I wanted to share some friendly feedback based on my experience as a relatively new developer submitting apps to the App Store. The documentation states that 90% of submissions are reviewed within 24 hours. However, across my submissions, I've found the average review time to be closer to five days. I completely understand that review volumes are likely substantial, and there may well be differences between iOS and macOS review queues. This isn't a complaint - just a suggestion that adjusting the stated timeframes might help set more realistic expectations for new developers. When I first started submitting apps, the longer wait times left me wondering whether I'd done something wrong. Thanks
0
0
261
Jan ’26
Any strategies for leveraging review responses to improve ASO results?
I’ve been building iOS apps since 2011 and have worked on hundreds along the way. Recently, I started a series on App Store Optimization (ASO) to share tips, strategies, and lessons learned. In this first post, I dive into how responding to customer reviews can directly influence ASO performance and App Store ranking - covering timing, response style, and best practices to turn negative reviews into positive ones.
2
1
165
Jan ’26
Why are apps invisible in the App Store, and which ASO tips work in 2025?
Even the best apps struggle to get noticed—over 5 million apps compete in stores, and most never hit 1,000 downloads. Visibility, not quality, is the real challenge. App Store Optimization (ASO) is the key to breaking through. Optimizing your app’s title, keywords, visuals, and description, combined with ongoing testing and competitor analysis, can drastically improve discoverability and downloads in 2025.
2
1
120
Jan ’26
App flagged as duplicate/similar after internal testing on another account
Hello everyone, I’m a developer working for a client company, and I’m trying to publish an iOS app from their Apple Developer account. The app is 100% original and fully developed by me and my team (no templates, no third-party source code reuse, no republished app). During development, I previously uploaded internal test builds of the same project to my personal Apple Developer account for testing purposes, using a different Bundle ID. Now that we are ready to release, we submitted the app from the client's account, and the submission appears to be blocked/rejected due to similarity/duplicate detection (Design Spam: 4.3.0). My questions: What is the recommended Apple process in this situation? Is App Transfer required/expected even if the previous builds on my account were only for internal testing and never publicly released? If App Transfer is not applicable, what is the best way to document that this is the same original app, now being published under the client’s account (authorization/ownership)? Does removing/deleting the test app/builds from my personal account help at all, or is it better to leave history as-is and only provide an explanation to App Review? Any guidance from developers who faced a similar issue (or from Apple engineers) would be really appreciated. Thank you.
2
0
213
Jan ’26
Request for Clarification on Repeated App Review Rejections – Kids Category
Hello App Review Team, I am writing to seek clarification regarding repeated review feedback received via App Store Connect (Resolution Center) for my app: App Name: Animal Sounds & Insects 90+ App ID: 6741077718 Team ID: 24MTF8NJ6Q Over the past two weeks, this app update has remained in review with multiple rejections referencing similar concerns, despite detailed responses and clarifications already provided in the Resolution Center. Unfortunately, I have not received follow-up responses or specific guidance there, which has prevented me from releasing even a minor update. To ensure clarity and avoid further delays, I am summarizing the key points below. Parental Gate (Guideline 1.3 – Kids Category) The review feedback indicates that the app may include links, commerce, or ad interactions without parental permission. I would like to clarify that the app implements a mandatory, non-dismissible parental gate, which is required before: Opening any external links Engaging in any form of commerce, including in-app purchases Interacting with any advertisements This parental gate cannot be bypassed or disabled and is triggered consistently across all applicable user flows. No child user can access links, purchases, or ad interactions without successfully completing the parental gate. If there is a specific screen, flow, or scenario where this behavior was interpreted differently during review, I would greatly appreciate precise details so I can verify and address it immediately. Advertising Experience (Guideline 4.0 – Design) The review also notes that users are required to view advertisements prior to using the app. I would like to clarify that the app does not require users to view advertisements before accessing its core functionality. Specifically: There are no forced ads No launch or entry interstitials No ads that block or gate access to the app’s main features Advertising within the app is passive and non-intrusive. This setup has been live for over one year, and no recent changes were introduced that would alter this behavior. Request for Guidance I fully respect and support the App Review Guidelines and am committed to complying with them. Given the repeated rejections and lack of actionable feedback so far, I kindly request: Clear and specific guidance on the exact screen, flow, or behavior being flagged Confirmation on whether the current parental gate implementation is being detected correctly during review My goal is to resolve any remaining concerns as quickly and accurately as possible so the review process can move forward. Thank you very much for your time and support. I appreciate the work of the App Review team and look forward to your guidance. Kind regards, Jiyan Aslan Developer, Animal Sounds & Insects 90+
1
0
182
Jan ’26
Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam
I've been rejected by Apple many times for design spam. I'm confused whether this is because I'm reusing codebase or because my app is similar to other apps on the store. However, very few other apps on the App Store are similar to mine, so I don't think I'm spamming. Could you please tell me how to fix this? Should I refect the codebase or completely redesign the app's features? Thank you for reading!
1
0
279
Jan ’26
As iOS developers, what’s the biggest pain point you’d like Apple to fix?
I’ve observed several areas in iOS where user experience could be enhanced, such as keyboard flexibility, animation speed, biometric options, cache management, background uploads, navigation reliability, and automation features. Addressing these aspects would not only improve usability but also align iOS more closely with diverse user needs across regions and use cases. What enhancements would you consider most valuable?
Replies
5
Boosts
1
Views
312
Activity
Feb ’26
Why does my app not appear in App Store search results even though the keyword is added in App metadata?
In App Store Connect metadata I added keywords expecting App Store and Apple Watch searches to surface my app using those terms. However searching those keywords does not show my app and it only appears when I search by the app name so I am unsure what is incorrect.
Replies
1
Boosts
1
Views
129
Activity
Feb ’26
How has your experience with ASO been, and did paid App Store ads make a noticeable positive impact?
I’m launching my game on May 9 and have been going through Apple’s App Store course. It’s informative but also feels like a marketing push. For those who’ve tried App Store campaigns, did they actually drive results like views, conversions, or in-app purchases? Sharing your app/industry for context would be super helpful.
Replies
2
Boosts
0
Views
330
Activity
Feb ’26
iOS app marketing and ASO can be really challenging and frustrating.
I’ve been working on marketing my iOS app, but it’s been quite frustrating so far. ASO hasn’t brought the results I expected, and I’m not sure what to try next. I’d like to learn more about indie app marketing beyond keyword tweaks-any blogs, courses, books, or communities you’d recommend for understanding effective strategies and improving app visibility?
Replies
2
Boosts
1
Views
179
Activity
Feb ’26
Review taking much longer than usual
Hi everyone, Just wanted to ask if anyone else has noticed longer-than-normal review times recently. Our latest app has been sitting in “In Review” for more than a week now. Normally our apps get reviewed much faster, so we’re unsure if this is just a backlog or something else. Currently: No communication from Apple No visible issues in metadata Review status hasn’t changed Curious to know: • Are others seeing similar delays? • Does this usually mean a deeper/manual review? • When should we reach out to Apple? • How do you usually contact App Review for status checks? Would love to hear your experiences. Thanks!
Replies
2
Boosts
1
Views
242
Activity
Feb ’26
App "In review" for long time
Dear App Review Team, Our app – Apple ID 6754872058 has been stuck in the “In Review” status for over 7 days (since Jan, 15 at 10:44 PM). 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 hold? • Is any action required from our side? • When can we expect the review to finish? Thank you very much for your time and assistance.
Replies
2
Boosts
0
Views
192
Activity
Feb ’26
How do you run A/B tests for your iOS app icon in App Store Connect?
Apple’s documentation indicates that iOS now supports A/B testing for app icons, but I haven’t been able to get it working. My app already includes alternate icons within the same binary, yet when I try to set up an A/B test in App Store Connect, there’s no option to change the icon-only screenshots can be updated in a new treatment.
Replies
2
Boosts
0
Views
159
Activity
Jan ’26
Is iOS Product Page Optimization no longer available in App Store Connect
I am using Product Page Optimization for the first time and after updating a new app version the test stopped automatically. The status shows developer has stopped with no option to restart the test even though I did not stop it.
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
86
Activity
Jan ’26
In-app purchase changes waiting for review for 1 week
Hello Apple Developer Community, It's been almost a week since I submitted an update to an existing In-App Purchase and specifically a text change to the "Display Name" field. All my new localized strings are stuck in "Waiting for Review" status, and the IAP itself shows "Updates Pending Review" (although its status is "Approved"). Do I need to submit a new app version for these metadata changes to be reviewed, even though the IAP was previously approved? Thanks in advance for any insight.
Replies
3
Boosts
0
Views
236
Activity
Jan ’26
Is It Still Possible for Indie iOS Apps to Thrive in 2025?
Once, the App Store empowered indie creators - small teams could launch great apps and find users easily. But in 2025, that era feels long gone, with algorithms, big players, and pay-to-win discoverability reshaping everything. Is there still a real chance for indie iOS developers today, or has Apple’s evolving ecosystem made independent success nearly impossible?
Replies
3
Boosts
1
Views
465
Activity
Jan ’26
Are there tools or techniques to track Apple App Store search rankings for apps
I want a programmatic way to monitor my app search ranking on the Apple App Store. Is there any API or external website available besides checking directly in the App Store app on iPhone?
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
72
Activity
Jan ’26
iOS app submission stuck in Waiting for Review for 45 days
Hello, I’m posting here in hopes of getting some help or advice regarding our app submission, which has now been stuck in “Waiting for Review” status for 45 days. We submitted our iOS app on Dec 12, 2025, and since then there has been no movement in the review process. This app is important for our business. The delay is now starting to affect our plans significantly. We called Developer Support, hoping to get some clarity or assistance. Unfortunately, the responses we received were generic and didn’t provide any concrete solutions or timelines. We understand the review process can take time, but 45 days with no progress or transparency feels excessive—especially considering the app was submitted under a developer account that has had previous successful submissions without issue. Here’s a quick summary: • Initial submission: Dec 12, 2025 • Current status: “Waiting for Review” If anyone from the App Review team happens to see this, or if any fellow developers have deal with a similar issue recently and have advice, we would greatly appreciate your insights. This delay is putting real pressure on our timeline, and we’re doing everything we can to resolve it. Thank you for your time and support.
Replies
0
Boosts
1
Views
112
Activity
Jan ’26
App review expectations
Hi team, I wanted to share some friendly feedback based on my experience as a relatively new developer submitting apps to the App Store. The documentation states that 90% of submissions are reviewed within 24 hours. However, across my submissions, I've found the average review time to be closer to five days. I completely understand that review volumes are likely substantial, and there may well be differences between iOS and macOS review queues. This isn't a complaint - just a suggestion that adjusting the stated timeframes might help set more realistic expectations for new developers. When I first started submitting apps, the longer wait times left me wondering whether I'd done something wrong. Thanks
Replies
0
Boosts
0
Views
261
Activity
Jan ’26
Any strategies for leveraging review responses to improve ASO results?
I’ve been building iOS apps since 2011 and have worked on hundreds along the way. Recently, I started a series on App Store Optimization (ASO) to share tips, strategies, and lessons learned. In this first post, I dive into how responding to customer reviews can directly influence ASO performance and App Store ranking - covering timing, response style, and best practices to turn negative reviews into positive ones.
Replies
2
Boosts
1
Views
165
Activity
Jan ’26
Why are apps invisible in the App Store, and which ASO tips work in 2025?
Even the best apps struggle to get noticed—over 5 million apps compete in stores, and most never hit 1,000 downloads. Visibility, not quality, is the real challenge. App Store Optimization (ASO) is the key to breaking through. Optimizing your app’s title, keywords, visuals, and description, combined with ongoing testing and competitor analysis, can drastically improve discoverability and downloads in 2025.
Replies
2
Boosts
1
Views
120
Activity
Jan ’26
App flagged as duplicate/similar after internal testing on another account
Hello everyone, I’m a developer working for a client company, and I’m trying to publish an iOS app from their Apple Developer account. The app is 100% original and fully developed by me and my team (no templates, no third-party source code reuse, no republished app). During development, I previously uploaded internal test builds of the same project to my personal Apple Developer account for testing purposes, using a different Bundle ID. Now that we are ready to release, we submitted the app from the client's account, and the submission appears to be blocked/rejected due to similarity/duplicate detection (Design Spam: 4.3.0). My questions: What is the recommended Apple process in this situation? Is App Transfer required/expected even if the previous builds on my account were only for internal testing and never publicly released? If App Transfer is not applicable, what is the best way to document that this is the same original app, now being published under the client’s account (authorization/ownership)? Does removing/deleting the test app/builds from my personal account help at all, or is it better to leave history as-is and only provide an explanation to App Review? Any guidance from developers who faced a similar issue (or from Apple engineers) would be really appreciated. Thank you.
Replies
2
Boosts
0
Views
213
Activity
Jan ’26
Request for Clarification on Repeated App Review Rejections – Kids Category
Hello App Review Team, I am writing to seek clarification regarding repeated review feedback received via App Store Connect (Resolution Center) for my app: App Name: Animal Sounds & Insects 90+ App ID: 6741077718 Team ID: 24MTF8NJ6Q Over the past two weeks, this app update has remained in review with multiple rejections referencing similar concerns, despite detailed responses and clarifications already provided in the Resolution Center. Unfortunately, I have not received follow-up responses or specific guidance there, which has prevented me from releasing even a minor update. To ensure clarity and avoid further delays, I am summarizing the key points below. Parental Gate (Guideline 1.3 – Kids Category) The review feedback indicates that the app may include links, commerce, or ad interactions without parental permission. I would like to clarify that the app implements a mandatory, non-dismissible parental gate, which is required before: Opening any external links Engaging in any form of commerce, including in-app purchases Interacting with any advertisements This parental gate cannot be bypassed or disabled and is triggered consistently across all applicable user flows. No child user can access links, purchases, or ad interactions without successfully completing the parental gate. If there is a specific screen, flow, or scenario where this behavior was interpreted differently during review, I would greatly appreciate precise details so I can verify and address it immediately. Advertising Experience (Guideline 4.0 – Design) The review also notes that users are required to view advertisements prior to using the app. I would like to clarify that the app does not require users to view advertisements before accessing its core functionality. Specifically: There are no forced ads No launch or entry interstitials No ads that block or gate access to the app’s main features Advertising within the app is passive and non-intrusive. This setup has been live for over one year, and no recent changes were introduced that would alter this behavior. Request for Guidance I fully respect and support the App Review Guidelines and am committed to complying with them. Given the repeated rejections and lack of actionable feedback so far, I kindly request: Clear and specific guidance on the exact screen, flow, or behavior being flagged Confirmation on whether the current parental gate implementation is being detected correctly during review My goal is to resolve any remaining concerns as quickly and accurately as possible so the review process can move forward. Thank you very much for your time and support. I appreciate the work of the App Review team and look forward to your guidance. Kind regards, Jiyan Aslan Developer, Animal Sounds & Insects 90+
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
182
Activity
Jan ’26
Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam
I've been rejected by Apple many times for design spam. I'm confused whether this is because I'm reusing codebase or because my app is similar to other apps on the store. However, very few other apps on the App Store are similar to mine, so I don't think I'm spamming. Could you please tell me how to fix this? Should I refect the codebase or completely redesign the app's features? Thank you for reading!
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
279
Activity
Jan ’26
My app review rejected or still in review?
Hello My first submission attempt rejected by Apple review and I resolved issues then sent a new review. Now when I open the dashboard submission appears rejected but when I clicked the details it looks like in review. What should I do now? Thanks in advance
Replies
2
Boosts
1
Views
175
Activity
Jan ’26
How can I monitor daily star ratings (1–5) in App Store Connect?
I want to know if App Store Connect provides daily breakdowns of new 1–5 star ratings rather than just cumulative totals. This would help me track the impact of remotely enabling a feature, but I haven’t found such an option.
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
180
Activity
Jan ’26