I submitted an updated version of my app for review on May 18, 2026, and its status has remained "Waiting for Review" ever since. It has now been more than two weeks without any progress or communication from Apple. To resolve the issue, I have: Submitted multiple support tickets through Apple Developer Support. Received the standard message that I would receive a response within 48 hours. Waited more than 15 days, but have not received any reply to any of my tickets. Attempted to contact Developer Support by phone during U.S. business hours, but after waiting on hold for more than two hours, I was unable to reach anyone. This delay is affecting my ability to release important updates to my users, and I am running out of options. Has anyone experienced a similar situation recently? Is there any other channel or escalation process that I can use to get assistance or have my submission reviewed? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi, My app "Stories for Two" has been approved and is ready for distribution, but it's blocked in all 27 EU countries because my DSA trader status has been stuck "In Review" since April 26, 2026 — over 6 weeks ago. I've already submitted all the required information. The "DAC7 Directive" line shows as Active, but "Digital Services Act" remains stuck in review with no way to action it from my side. Has anyone experienced this and found a fix? I've seen someone suggest canceling and resubmitting the review request — is that possible and if so, how exactly? Thanks! Boris

Recently, my app got rejected due to Guideline 2.3.3 - Performance - Accurate Metadata and I got a message during rejection as: The issues we've identified below are eligible to be resolved on your next update. If this submission includes bug fixes and you'd like to have it approved at this time, reply to this message and let us know. You do not need to resubmit your app for us to proceed. I replied to them, requesting approval, and resubmitted the app, but app again got rejected. I think the reason for rejection may be that I resubmitted, which the review didn't ask. After the second rejection, I replied immediately within 5 minutes, requesting approval without resubmitting the app. The following is the timeline for the review process happened so far in GST: Jul 11, 2026 at 12:17 AM - Waiting for review Jul 11, 2026 at 3:27 AM - Rejected Jul 11, 2026 at 7:11 AM - Replied for Approval since eligible Jul 11, 2026, at 6:54 PM - Changed the status to Waiting for review since no update from Apple, and resubmitted Jul 12, 2026 at 7:06 PM - Rejected again with the same reason - Guideline 2.3.3 - Performance - Accurate Metadata (The issues we've identified below are eligible to be resolved on your next update. If this submission includes bug fixes and you'd like to have it approved at this time, reply to this message and let us know. You do not need to resubmit your app for us to proceed.) Jul 12, 2026 at 7:10 PM - Requested approval through comments. (Within 5 minutes after rejection) Jul 13, 2026 at 6:28 AM - Follow-up message to review team: This release contains a critical production bug fix for our users, and the actual release has already been delayed too much, so we would greatly appreciate any update on the review status and approval as early as possible. Since this is a critical release, can anyone tell me whether the steps I followed are correct?

Apple rejected my app during review: Guideline 2.3.3 - Performance - Accurate Metadata Issue Description: The 6.7-inch iPhone, 6.5-inch iPhone, and 5.5-inch iPhone screenshots still do not show the actual app in use in the majority of the screenshots. Screenshots should highlight the app's core concept to help users understand the app’s functionality and value. Also the review team given an exception this time as following: The issues we've identified below are eligible to be resolved on your next update. If this submission includes bug fixes and you'd like to have it approved at this time, reply to this message and let us know. You do not need to resubmit your app for us to proceed. Since we are eligible for app approval this time, we replied back requesting for approval this time and resubmitted the app. but after 12 hours App got rejected again. This time we got the same comments from Apple: "The issues we've identified below are eligible to be resolved on your next update. If this submission includes bug fixes and you'd like to have it approved at this time, reply to this message and let us know. You do not need to resubmit your app for us to proceed." This time we just replied requesting for approval, and didn't resubmit the app. Is this the correct way to respond to the Apple review team? I am thinking App got rejected again since they told not to resubmit but I resubmitted due to the delayed approval process and second time I reply back to them within 5 minute after the rejection of app.

Hi all, I submitted my first app for review on Friday evening and it's currently in "Waiting for Review". As a first-time developer I'm just curious about the process: What review times are you all seeing lately for a brand-new (first version) app? Does the weekend tend to slow things down, or is review running 7 days a week? For an app that requires sign-in, is it common for review to take a little longer since the reviewer has to log in and test? Not in a rush, just curious what to expect. Thanks!

Hi, I'm looking for some guidance regarding my first App Store submission. My app has been stuck In "Waiting for Review" stage with no status change. I thoroughly went through guidelines and prepare forums before submitting, not sure what to do next or where my app stands after passing estimated wait times. If anyone from App Review is able to confirm that the submission is properly queued or let me know if there's anything I need to do I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

App: Sprin World, Apple ID 6759182613. Our first three auto-renewable subscriptions (com.sprinworld.app.pass_weekly / pass_monthly / pass_yearly, group 22209642) were rejected July 8 under Guideline 3.1.2(c) for a missing Terms of Use link in the App Description. We fixed the metadata and resubmitted the three products on July 10, and also submitted version 2.5.2, whose review notes ask that the products be reviewed together with the version. An expedited review was granted July 10 at 5:15 PM PT. As of July 11, version 2.5.2, all three subscription products, and the subscription group localization still show Waiting for Review. The subscription UI is visible to live users, who currently cannot purchase. Is there anything else we should do so the subscription product reviews get picked up alongside the version? Thank you.

Some users tried to subscribe in my office and they did not able to purchase the subscription for my app "Feedalto" - I realized even the app was approved but the subscription was not. How to solve this problem?

I am stuck in an endless chicken-or-the-egg loop. The last 3 versions of the app have all complied with Guideline 3.1.1. The app shows the products (a yearly and monthly subscription) on the paywall, but the products themselves keep getting rejected citing 3.1.1 saying that the I need to upload a new binary that shows the products on the paywall, and that I need to attach the products to the build - which there is no way to do. When I upload the new binary, the products do not show up on the new app version page to attach them to the build. When I go to submit, the subscription products are not attached to the review panel. So, I submit, the app gets approved, and the subscriptions get rejected. There is no way for me to connect these subscriptions to a build in App Store Connect so it keeps getting rejected. I wrote support and they responded saying they couldn't help and that I should go the forums. While this issue is widespread on the forums, no one has a clear answer as to how to get out of this loop. I have many apps and have never had this issue. Please advise.

Hi, I was creating an iOS app for my country Ethiopia that has in app purchase to unlock app features. The apple policy says for such payment, we must use Apple IAP but not external payment methods such as stripe or local. However, in my country, Ethiopia, Apple IAP is not available. My question is can I use local payment methods or guide users on how to pay using available payment methods in the country where Apple IAP is not available? I need to make sure my app is acceptable during review using local payment method just because Apple IAP is not available in my country. Thank you

I am using CI/CD method to build my apps, i dont have xcode simulator, so I cannot produce 13'' screenshots And I have an ipad that is NOT 13'' what can I do? I am locked out from releasing on ipads?

Apple is committed to keeping the App Store a safe place for users to get apps and a great opportunity for all developers to be successful. A reliable review process is critical to this commitment, which is why App Review works around the clock to review at least 50% of submissions in less than 24 hours and 90% in less than 48 hours. Updates with minor changes and bug fix submissions typically move swiftly through review, while other reviews may take longer because they require additional verification. In this post, we'll explain when that can happen and how you can best prepare your submission for a thorough review. Why some reviews require more time While most submissions are reviewed within 48 hours, some apps may require additional time because the review involves extra verification steps, such as: Documentation review, where App Review requests and verifies supporting materials such as authorizations, licenses, or partnership agreements before approving the submission. Complex or novel issues, including apps with regulated content, new platform capabilities, entitlements enabled, or other sensitive features, may require greater scrutiny and consideration. Common examples may include: Medical apps involving health data, diagnostic or treatment features, or other medical claims often require documentation supporting those claims or demonstrating regulatory approval. (Guideline 1.4.1) Cryptocurrency exchange apps must be offered by an approved exchange and secure the necessary licensing to operate on each storefront where the app is available. (Guideline 3.1.5) Apps operating in highly regulated industries, such as banking and financial services, air travel, healthcare, and similar sectors, must be submitted by authorized legal entities with supporting documentation. (Guideline 5.1.1(ix)) Apps with third-party intellectual property require verifiable permission to use another party's content, branding, or other protected material. (Guideline 5.2.1) Gambling, lotteries, and real-money gaming apps must provide the necessary licensing and permissions for each storefront where the app is available. (Guideline 5.3.4) If your app falls into one of these categories, the most effective way to reduce your review time is to attach all requisite documentation we'll need for review in the App Review Information section of App Store Connect. Why this matters: Incomplete submissions require additional back-and-forth before we can complete the review. Including everything upfront is the fastest path to a decision. Best practices to minimize delays 1. Provide complete information on every submission. Give App Review everything needed for a complete review, especially for apps with regulated, specialized, or otherwise complex content. Do: Include demo accounts, authentication codes, and any required setup steps in the App Review Information section. Use the Notes field to explain your app's concept, business model, or authorization to operate in regulated industries. Attach all relevant supporting documentation before submitting the app for review. If you're unsure what information is needed for review, schedule an App Review appointment through Meet with Apple to discuss your app's concept. Don't: Don't resubmit the app for review until all identified issues are resolved. Why this matters: Resubmitting with unresolved issues will result in the same outcome, meaning the submission spends additional time in the queue without a different result. 2. Only provide authentic and verifiable information on your developer account. Authentic account information and high-quality apps build customer trust and keep your submissions moving smoothly through review. Do: Keep your developer name, Support URL, and account information current. Provide authentic, verifiable documentation whenever it's required. Only submit apps that have been thoroughly tested on physical devices and are ready for distribution. Don't: Don't submit documentation you're not authorized to use, or that can't be independently verified. Don't misrepresent your identity or relationship to other brands or services. Don't submit apps that are low-quality, untested, or include incomplete content or features. When fraud or malicious activity is detected To protect the App Store's high standards for privacy, security, and quality, we have zero tolerance for fraudulent or malicious activity. App Review investigates all reported or identified conduct that falls outside the App Review Guidelines and the Developer Code of Conduct, which requires accurate representation and integrity across the App Store experience. Examples include: Misrepresented developer identity or impersonation, such as providing inauthentic documentation or otherwise pretending to be someone you're not (Guidelines 4.1 and 5.6.2). Manipulation of the App Store experience, including gaming charts, search results, reviews or referrals, or attempting to hide features in review (Guidelines 2.3.1(a) and 5.6.3). Submitting low-quality apps, as indicated by excessive customer reports, such as negative customer reviews, and high-volume refund requests (Guidelines 4.3 and 5.6.4). When these signals appear, we investigate thoroughly, and repeated or serious violations can lead to additional rejections, app removals, and account removal from the Apple Developer Program. Support before or during your review If you have a critical timing issue, such as fixing a critical bug or releasing your app to coincide with an event, you can request an expedited review. If your submission has been rejected, reply to the message from App Review in App Store Connect and request clarification. You can also reply to request a call with an Apple representative to discuss the outcome of the review. If your app has been rejected and you believe it follows the App Review Guidelines, consider submitting an appeal to the App Review Board. Appeals must include specific, detailed explanations for why your app follows each of the guidelines in question.

Hello, my app id 6756081224 Waiting for Review 10 day ago Help me please

I deleted Build 16 from the external Test Flight review approval because I want Build 17 to be used and set up for external review. I successfully removed it and it is not showing up under external testing.. but when I try to add my Build 17, it is greyed out and says that Build 16 is still waiting for review. Can you please fix this as soon as possible so I can begin the review process for my Build 17? Please let me know what information you may need. I'm hoping to get this resolved ASAP.

Hello everyone, I’m wondering if anyone has experienced a similar situation. My app is very simple, with no more than five screens. On my first submission, it remained “In Review” for more than 10 days (not “Waiting for Review”), and during that entire time the App Review team never made a decision—no approval, no rejection, and no request for additional information. After waiting that long, I canceled the submission and submitted the app again. It has now been more than one week, and it is still “Waiting for Review” with no progress. I have contacted Apple Developer Support several times. They have escalated the case, and each time I am told that I should receive an update soon. However, I have now been waiting more than 20 days in total, and I still have no decision or meaningful update. Submission ID: 001dd566-c306-477b-856b-639a0fa7cf1b Has anyone experienced this kind of delay? If so, how was it resolved? Any advice or shared experience would be greatly appreciated.

Hi App Review team, I'm posting here as a last resort after7 weeks with no movement and 4 unanswered support requests. I'm about to lose my launch window next week and I need someone at Apple to look at this. The situation: App: BMH Themes — App ID 6763770421 — Bundle ID com.bringmedinahome.bmhthemes Version 1.0 (Build 24): reviewed and APPROVED, currently "Ready for Distribution". In-app purchases: 904 are APPROVED, but 1,134 have been stuck in "Waiting for Review" for 7 weeks. The 1,134 stuck items are the exact same type as the 904 already approved — so this is clearly not a content issue. None of the 1,134 show any rejection or "Developer Action Needed" message. Nothing is pending on my side. I have submitted 4 support requests over the past weeks. None received a substantive response. Why this is urgent: My company is now legally registered, my VAT number is being issued, my business bank account is active, and my full marketing campaign is finalized for a launch next week. I cannot launch with 1,134 of my products frozen — releasing a half-empty catalog would waste the entire launch. These stuck in-app purchases are the ONLY remaining blocker. My request: Could someone please check whether these 1,134 in-app purchases are correctly queued, confirm whether there is an internal processing issue, and escalate to the App Review / in-app purchase team? The app is already approved — only these items are stuck. Thank you very much for any help.

Hi everyone, I’m an indie developer and recently published our first app on the App Store. It was an exciting milestone, but on April 4, 2025, after the app had been live for about 1–2 weeks and one update had been pushed, we received a notice from Apple stating that our app had been removed from the store and that our developer account is scheduled for termination within a month. Understandably, this was incredibly alarming—but we stayed calm, carefully read through the allegations, and tried to handle the situation with patience and professionalism. The reason given was: App submissions from your account have engaged in concept or feature switch schemes to evade the review process, such as dynamically populating different app content after review, submitting apps with hidden features, repeatedly submitting misleading apps, and/or submitting apps with concrete references to content that you are not authorized to provide or is otherwise not appropriate for the App Store. This was cited as a violation of Section 3.2(f) of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement. We were accused of dynamically changing game content after review, but we do not have the capability to do anything like that. The game has stayed exactly as it was when submitted, and the single update we pushed included only the changes listed in the “What’s New” section. They also mentioned hidden features. While we don’t hide anything, our game does include progression-based unlocks (such as new upgrade cards or mechanics unlocked as you play). We believe this is standard for many games, and we’ve explained this in our appeal. We also addressed another possible issue—some light pop culture jokes in push notifications—which we are more than happy to remove immediately if they were deemed inappropriate. We’re not here to argue or avoid accountability. If we’ve made any mistakes, we’re more than willing to correct them. But terminating the entire account for a first-time submission, without any discussion or specific feedback, feels incredibly harsh—especially for a small team trying to break into the industry. We submitted an appeal to the App Review Board over a week ago but have not received any response or update since then. So I’m posting here in the hopes of catching someone’s attention—whether that’s Apple or anyone in the community who’s been through something similar and can advise. I know the $99 annual fee might not be a huge deal for many developers, but for someone just starting out, it represents more than money—it’s a foot in the door. I’m not looking for sympathy, just a chance to make things right, follow the rules properly, and keep building on the platform I admire. Thank you for reading, and I truly hope someone can help guide us on the next steps. Best, Veekshith Kolanupaka

Hello, I'm looking for advice from developers who have successfully published internet radio applications on the App Store. My app has been rejected multiple times under Guideline 5.2.3 with the following message: "The app provides potentially unauthorized access to third-party audio or video streaming, catalogs, and discovery services." Apple asks me to provide: "documentary evidence evidencing that you have all necessary rights or permissions to the third-party audio or video streaming, catalogs, and discovery services in the app." However, I'm not sure what documentation App Review actually expects. My application works as follows: • It does NOT host, proxy, cache, retransmit, record, convert, or modify any audio streams. • Playback uses Apple's AVPlayer. • Audio is streamed directly from the original broadcaster to the user's device. • The application only retrieves publicly available station metadata and stream URLs from the Radio Browser API. • The app no longer contains any built-in curated station list. • Music identification uses Apple ShazamKit together with metadata lookup (MusicBrainz, Last.fm and Apple iTunes Search API). These services are used only for metadata and artwork, not for streaming audio. I have already contacted the Radio Browser maintainers asking whether they can provide written permission or an official statement, but I have not yet received a reply. My questions are: Has anyone successfully published an App Store internet radio application that uses the Radio Browser API (or another public radio directory)? What documentary evidence satisfied App Review? Does Apple expect permission from the Radio Browser project, or from every individual broadcaster whose publicly available stream is listed in the directory? If your app was approved, what documentation did you provide? Any experience or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Has anyone received a successful approval for an internet radio app under Guideline 5.2.3 in 2025 or 2026?

Hello Apple Developer Community / App Review Team, I am writing to ask for guidance regarding an App Review process that appears to be stalled, and also to raise a broader concern about review transparency and communication. I submitted my app for review on July 1, 2026, at around 1:23 PM. As of July 8, 2026, at 2:37 PM, it has been waiting for more than 7 days. During this period, my app appears to have been accessed by three different reviewers. Based on the activity I can see, they entered the app and reviewed it, but the submission status in App Store Connect never formally moved to “In Review.” This creates a difficult situation for developers. It is unclear whether the app is actively being reviewed, stuck in an internal step, waiting for further action, or simply forgotten in the queue. I have been developing for iOS for approximately 7 years, and I have not experienced a review process where it was this difficult to find a clear point of contact or receive a meaningful status update. I have contacted App Store Connect Help multiple times — approximately 3 or 4 times — but I have not received an email response. I have also tried reaching out through other public and professional channels, including LinkedIn and X, not to create pressure, but because I could not find a reliable way to understand what is happening with the submission. My concern is not only about one app or one review delay. I believe this is also an operational issue that affects the broader Apple developer ecosystem. A more transparent, accessible, and trackable App Review process would benefit both developers and Apple users. When developers have clearer visibility into review timelines and status transitions, they can plan releases better, respond to users faster, fix issues more responsibly, and ship higher-quality products. This directly improves the experience of people using Apple products every day. I would appreciate clarification on the following: Is it expected that reviewers may access an app before the submission status changes to “In Review”? What does it mean when reviewer activity is visible, but App Store Connect does not reflect an active review state? Is there currently a backlog or operational delay affecting App Review timelines? What is the recommended path for developers when a submission appears to be stalled for more than 7 days with no response from App Store Connect Help? Are there any planned improvements to make App Review status transitions more transparent, predictable, and easier to follow? Apple holds developers to high standards, which is understandable and valuable for the platform. At the same time, developers need a process that is easier to track, easier to understand, and more responsive when something appears to be stuck. I would appreciate any guidance from Apple or the developer community on how to proceed with this specific review, and I hope Apple continues improving communication and visibility around App Review operations. Respectfully.

Hello Apple Team, Why Is Apple Forcing Us to Use Its In-App Payment System? I am writing this as the CTO & Co-Founder of BS Fintech Pvt. Ltd., India, who is deeply disappointed with our experience over the past six months. Our fintech app, ScoreUp, has been live on the Google Play Store, where it has been serving customers successfully with 99.99% uptime and excellent user feedback. We have invested years of effort in building a reliable product that fully complies with Indian regulations. However, despite multiple submission attempts over the last six months, Apple App Store approval has not moved forward because we are not using Apple's In-App Purchase (IAP) system for subscriptions. This raises an important question: Why are developers forced to use Apple's payment system instead of being allowed to use compliant third-party payment providers? In India, we already work with trusted payment gateways that support UPI and comply with all RBI and NPCI guidelines. These providers process a ₹99 subscription for approximately ₹0.30 per transaction. In comparison, Apple's commission of up to 30% on the same subscription creates a significant financial burden, particularly for startups building affordable subscription-based products. Apple cannot force us to use its payment gateway, which is significantly more expensive than other compliant payment solutions. We strictly adhere to all applicable regulations and compliance requirements prescribed by the Government of India, RBI, and NPCI. Our intention is not to bypass any regulations but to use a fully compliant and cost-effective payment solution that best serves the Indian market. We simply want the freedom to choose a payment solution that is: Fully compliant with Indian laws and regulatory requirements. Cost-effective for our business and our customers. Better suited to the Indian payments ecosystem. Startups invest enormous time, capital, and effort into building innovative products. Restricting app distribution because a developer chooses a compliant third-party payment provider creates a significant barrier for businesses trying to innovate and compete. I would sincerely appreciate clarification from Apple on the following: Why can't our app be approved while using a fully compliant third-party payment gateway? How does this requirement support fair competition and developer choice, particularly in markets like India with a mature, regulated digital payments ecosystem? We hope Apple will continue supporting developers by providing greater flexibility and recognizing regional payment infrastructures that are already secure, regulated, and widely adopted. We look forward to a constructive dialogue and a fair resolution. I request a prompt response and a clear resolution to this matter. You may contact me. If this issue cannot be resolved satisfactorily, I will have to explore all available legal remedies to protect our business interests, including seeking appropriate compensation for the business losses we believe have resulted from this policy and its impact on our app's launch in India.