Apple App Review Team, what is going on? Yesterday, I was assured that my app review was being "expedited." Yet, here we are—Day 11—and absolutely nothing has changed. The app remains stuck "In Review" with zero progress. This is beyond frustrating. It is actively damaging my business, my users, and the trust developers have in the App Store review process. I have followed every proper channel—daily support tickets, expedited review requests, even a direct call with an Apple representative—yet I am still met with the same vague, non-committal responses. Let me be clear: This is not an acceptable way to handle app reviews. Developers cannot operate under these unpredictable and arbitrary delays. The app is one of the most successful indie apps on visionOS, and this treatment is completely unjustified. I need real action. Today. Not another canned response, not another “we need additional time”—real progress and real accountability. Do better! App ID: 6737148404

Hello Apple Team, We have recently updated our app and followed all the required steps for approving auto-renewable subscriptions. Our app update (Version 1.0.4, Build 5) has been reviewed and released on the App Store, but our subscription is still in “Waiting for Review” status. We have made the necessary corrections: ✔️ Clearly indicated the subscription duration in the app UI (“Lite plan: Full access for 1 month. Auto-renewing.”) ✔️ Added the Terms of Use link in App Store Connect metadata ✔️ Updated our Privacy Policy link However, when users attempt to subscribe, they receive an error. Could you clarify why the subscription has not been reviewed along with the app? Thank you for your assistance!

After review it was mentioned We need additional information about the app's highly regulated services and/or handling of sensitive user data. The guideline 5.1.1(ix) requirements give users confidence that apps operating in highly regulated fields or that require sensitive user information are qualified to provide these services and will responsibly manage their data. Which companies or institutions provide the services offered in the app? -What is the relationship between [Name of Developer Account] and the providers of these services? The application is being developed for the Karnataka State Government, and the development and management of the app have been assigned as part of an official project. While the developer account used for publishing the application was purchased individually, it is associated with the development and maintenance of this project. The account facilitates app deployment and management while ensuring compliance with government requirements and security protocols. So Guide Properly.

We submitted our application for a review and got rejected with the followings. Review date: February 18, 2025 Version reviewed: 1.0.0 Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam We noticed your app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as apps previously submitted by a terminated Apple Developer Program account. Submitting similar or repackaged apps is a form of spam that creates clutter and makes it difficult for users to discover new apps. Next Steps Since we do not accept spam apps on the App Store, we encourage you to review your app concept and submit a unique app with distinct content and functionality. Resources Some factors that contribute to a spam rejection may include: Submitting an app with the same source code or assets as other apps already submitted to the App Store Creating and submitting multiple similar apps using a repackaged app template Purchasing an app template with problematic code from a third party Submitting several similar apps across multiple accounts Learn more about our requirements to prevent spam in App Review Guideline 4.3(a). We sent a reply in the apple store connect and made an appeal explaining each point to show that the above reasons that review team gave us are not true at all. The application was made in-house. We didn't buy any app template and reskinned/repacked into a new one. Moreover, we have only one and first account with apple. We looked at the Guideline 4.3(a) and our application did not fall into any bullets in the guideline. This review team of Apple was unprofessional and never reply back. They didn't even look at the metadata that we provide. The guideline and standards that apple team mentioned are what that they cannot even do it themselves. Apple review team should help their customers ban the real spam apps and help your company become more profitable. Can anyone here help?

Hi, Our latest update for Top Scorer 2 was rejected under Guideline 4.3(a) - Spam, despite previous versions being approved without issue. We have been developing this game since 2017, and it is an original creation with unique gameplay, AI, and physics. This update includes super important bug fixes and improvements critical for our user base, yet Apple claims it is too similar to other apps without specifying which ones or what exactly needs to change. Previous version with similar features and design, was successfully approved, we are improving resolutions, updating SDKs and enhancing security for our players, why would you reject it, leaving players with an older version of the game that lacks the vast array of improvements we've incorporated in the game. Has anyone faced a similar rejection? Any advice would be appreciated.

Dear Apple App Review Team, I’m reaching out here as a last resort, as my previous attempts to get a response through the developer support portal have been met with only automated replies. My app has been stuck in the "In Review" state for 10 days, and unfortunately, this is not the first time. Every time a new feature is added, the review process takes weeks, causing major disruptions to my development and release schedule. Based on backend logs, it appears that while the app is technically "In Review," no one has actually opened it, meaning it's sitting in a queue without active review. I have submitted daily support tickets and expedited review requests, but I have yet to receive a response from a real person—only the standard copy-paste replies. This lack of transparency and responsiveness makes it extremely difficult to plan and operate efficiently. Given that this is one of the most profitable indie apps on the visionOS App Store, I believe it deserves a more predictable and efficient review process. These extended delays are not just frustrating but actively harming the app’s growth and user experience. I urgently request immediate action on this matter. Please do not reply with a generic link directing me to support—I’ve already exhausted that route without success. I need a real response and a clear resolution. App ID: 6737148404

I found a developer impersonating our company's application, how should I protect my rights. His app name only adds an extra suffix 'APP' at the end compared to our company's app. And it is a pure fee based application. The applications developed by our company are free for users to use.

Hello Apple Developer Community, We are reaching out in frustration after facing multiple rejections for our app, Minglr, under Guideline 4.3(a) – Spam, despite the fact that: • Our app was approved in May 2024 and has passed four updates without any issue related to design or concept similarity. • The current rejection contradicts Apple’s own approval history, despite no fundamental changes to our UI/UX. • We have built Minglr’s design from scratch in Figma (with a full design history to prove it) and yet are not being given the opportunity to provide evidence. • We have requested Apple to clarify which app they are comparing us to, but they refuse to provide details, making it impossible to properly address their concerns. Why This Feels Unfair & Inconsistent • Apple continues to approve apps with identical UI and UX (such as dating apps), yet a completely different social app like Minglr is being flagged without justification. • If a similar app exists, Apple should confirm whether it was submitted before or after Minglr. If after, we are the ones being copied, yet we are the ones being rejected. • The rejection feels arbitrary, especially considering Apple previously approved our app and design multiple times. What We Need Help With • Has anyone else faced a similar situation where Apple reversed previous approvals without explanation? • Are there escalation paths within Apple beyond standard App Review that have worked for other developers? • How can we push Apple to review our actual design history in Figma instead of issuing generic rejections? We have submitted an official escalation request and contacted Apple Developer Support, but so far, we are only receiving template responses that do not address our concerns. Any insights or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated. We are determined to resolve this fairly and ensure Apple follows a consistent review process. Thank you for your support! Călin Spiridon CEO, Minglr

I want to submit my app for review, but I'm getting this error. When I click 'Edit' under iOS Submission, it redirects me to the 'Prepare for Submission' page, but it doesn't specify exactly what I need to edit. Can you help me with this issue?

So my app was rejected in review and the review stated this : The 13-inch iPad screenshots show an iPhone image that has been modified or stretched to appear to be an iPad image. Screenshots should highlight the app's core concept to help users understand the app’s functionality and value. I don't want my app to be supported on ipad, as it probably won't look that good on it. So is there any way i could restrict that to iphones only? Also the review said that We have started our review, but we need additional information to continue. Specifically, it appears your app may access or include paid digital content or services, and we want to understand your business model before completing our review. And they have asked some 5 questions regarding the same. Now, My application is completely free , yet they are saying that may include paid content. So where can i turn this off? In the pricing section , I have selected 0 in my local currency.

The documentation says I can update images when the app is in states: Prepare for Submission Ready for Review When I submit a new version it goes from Ready For Review to Waiting For Review within the same minute. Did I do something to make it go to Waiting For Review? Is it only in state Prepare For Submission before I submit the first version or can it be in that state for subsequent versions? Why do they make it so hard??? When and how can I update app store images on existing app?

Hey, I was recently rejected for: "We found that your in-app purchase products exhibited one or more bugs which creates a poor user experience. Specifically, "Manage Subscription" linked out to the App Store". This seems a little vague and am not sure what the solution is. I have a manage subscription button that a user can click that sends them to their apple subscriptions outside the app. Am I not allowed to send the user to their apple subscriptions to cancel their subscription? Or does it all have to be done entirely within the app itself? It's hard to tell based on the feedback. Thanks!

I have implemented subscription renewals in my app and now want to integrate a referral system. Each user should receive a unique referral code that they can share with others. When a new user signs up using a referral code, both the referrer and the referred user should receive a bonus. What is the best approach to implementing this feature efficiently?

Hello, I recently submitted my app to the Apple Store and received a rejection under Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam, stating that my app is similar to others on the store. However, my app has a unique feature set, offers more functionality and content than competitors, and is completely free with ad monetization, unlike most similar apps that require subscriptions. I have spent five months developing this app from scratch, ensuring it provides an original and valuable experience for users. I did not use an app template or repackaged code, and my app is not a reskinned version of any existing app. I genuinely believe it brings meaningful differentiation to the market. I would appreciate any guidance on how I can better communicate my app’s uniqueness to the review team or what specific aspects I should adjust to comply with Apple's guidelines. Thank you for your time and support.

Dear Apple Review Team, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Pouya Saberian, I am from Italy, and my company is based in the United States. I am not a developer myself; I am simply an investor in the technology sector. Recently, I submitted the "Quantum" app for review and release on the App Store. However, I received a message indicating that my app has been flagged as spam due to its similarity with apps previously submitted by a terminated Apple Developer Program account. I would like to request your assistance in reviewing and resolving this issue. First and foremost, I would like to clarify that I have never had an Apple Developer account before, and this is my first time submitting an app for release on the App Store. I have one employee responsible for creating and maintaining the account. The app has been developed and submitted by my freelance team (which consists of employees from countries such as Pakistan, India, Germany, and the United States). Over time, I have had to hire three different developers for the project (due to spam-related issues), two designers, three individuals for SEO and project optimization, and one assistant for managing day-to-day tasks. The app has been developed independently and without the use of any repeated code or similarities to previous projects. However, I do not understand why my account is linked to another terminated account. Since I do not have much technical knowledge regarding account creation, programming, and the freelancing process, it’s possible that some error occurred during any of these stages. I kindly request your guidance in identifying any potential issues so that I can resolve the problem as quickly as possible. I have invested a significant amount of time and resources into this project, and I am eager to see it launched on the App Store. I am asking for your support in helping me address this issue and ensure that the app can be officially published. If you need any further information or documentation related to our project, I would be happy to provide it. We have worked hard to ensure the quality and uniqueness of the app, and we hope that we can resolve this issue swiftly. Thank you for your time and assistance. Best regards, Pouya Saberian

I use PHP language to obtain our App customer reviews and generate token code as follows: $privateKeyResource = PRIVATE_KEY; $keyId = KEY_ID; $alg = 'ES256'; $token = JWT::encode([ 'iss' => '29960467-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-2aa42ec3e66d', 'iat' => time(), 'exp' => time() + 300, 'aud' => 'appstoreconnect-v1', "scope" => [ "GET /v1/customerReviews", ] ], $privateKeyResource, $alg, $keyId, [ "alg" => "ES256", "kid" => $keyId, "typ" => "JWT" ]); But the api responds with 403, detailed response: {"errors":[{"id":"26I4HZDVWBVNX5HI33OINP753Q","status":"403","code":"FORBIDDEN.REQUEST_DOES_NOT_MATCH_SCOPE","title":"This request does not match the scope specified in the API token.","detail":"The request RequestData(method=POST, path=/v1/appStoreVersions/1612795156/customerReviews, query=null) does not match any authorized scope: [RequestData(method=GET, path=/v1/customerReviews, query=null)]","links":{"see":"https://developer.apple.com/documentation/appstoreconnectapi/generating_tokens_for_api_requests"}}]}

I used Swift Playground to develop application in Mac OS. Also using ZStack I used limited area in full page (using .frame(width: $, height: $)). However using command + R or clicking start button to see preview .app, while non resizing application my ZStack show as cutted. Please tell me how to set preview .app frame size as width, height... The buttom code is ContentView.swift code. @main struct ContentView: App { init() { MyFont.registerFonts() } // @StateObject private var audioPlayer = AudioPlayer() var body: some Scene { WindowGroup { NavigationStack { StartMenuView() .frame(minWidth: 594, maxWidth: 594, minHeight: 1142, maxHeight: 1142) .preferredColorScheme(.dark) // Dark Mod .statusBar(hidden: true) // Hidden Status Bar .edgesIgnoringSafeArea(.all) // Ignoring Safe Area } } .windowResizability(.contentSize) } } Thank you for reading. ![]("https://developer.apple.com/forums/content/attachment/8ad9f219-6caa-49bf-b8c3-e4b7c91ab40f" "title=image.png;width=1050;height=803") ![]("https://developer.apple.com/forums/content/attachment/395ee85e-9543-4bfd-9caf-3ce3c2ca8414" "title=image2.png;width=1104;height=973")

Hello, I am looking for a better understanding of Guideline 1.4.2, which states that "Drug dosage calculators" must be developed by drug manufacturers, hospitals, universities, or other approved entities. My main question is: What is Apple’s exact definition of a "Drug Dosage Calculator"? - Does the term exclusively refer to apps that calculate dosage (dose, interval, and treatment duration)? - Are apps that do not make clinical decisions, but only display bibliographic references based on user-entered data, also considered Drug Dosage Calculators? - If an app only performs basic mathematical operations on a dose value entered by the user, without suggesting medications or treatments, does it still fall under this restriction? I would like to better understand how Apple differentiates a medical support app (which only presents data) from a dosage calculator (which makes clinical decisions). I appreciate any insights from the community!

Hello everyone, We initially published our game, Backrooms: Escape, on the App Store on October 15, 2024, and have since released 152 builds with updates. In total, our team has spent over a year working on this project. However, we recently received a notification from the App Review Team stating that our app violates Guideline 4.1 (Copycats). The explanation we received was that we use “Backrooms” as a theme. We are the legitimate rights holders of this project, which we can easily prove through both our development timeline and legal documentation. After multiple attempts to clarify the issue, the only feedback we got was that “using Backrooms” is the problem. Yet, there are well over a hundred other “Backrooms” apps currently on the App Store. Here are ten examples: Hide in The Backroom: Nextbots Noclip : Backrooms Multiplayer Backrooms Union Multiplayer Backrooms Descent: Horror Game Escape - Backrooms Horror Backrooms Anomaly Backrooms: Lost in Level 0 Backrooms: Outrun To Survive! Backrooms Buff Doge Horror Backrooms: The Endless City As noted here, the Backrooms lore is widely recognized as internet folklore and therefore does not infringe on any existing copyright. Moreover, our game itself is unique in both its mechanics and its implementation, making it fundamentally different from other Backrooms-themed titles. We strongly believe this removal was made in error, especially since it occurred several months after our initial release. We also tried appealing but still haven’t received any response. What else can we do to save the game? Thank you in advance

Hi There! I released an app called Taino VPN with Russian IP on AppStore a month ago. After that, I updated the app successfully several times with minor fixes. Last time I submitted a new release with only small metadata and keyword updates and got rejected by Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam. Original message is "We noticed your app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as apps submitted to the App Store by other developers, with only minor differences." I'm now very confused! On Apple's official website Guideline 4.3(a) says: Don’t create multiple Bundle IDs of the same app. If your app has different versions for specific locations, sports teams, universities, etc., consider submitting a single app and provide the variations using in-app purchase. It does not make any sense because I have only 1 app developed from the scratch by me. Also, it does not match with Original reject message and 4.3(a) says nothing about other developers. I hope apple review support could guide me on it. Looking forward and thanks!